Getting Started in Genealogy

Start with What You Know

If you are new to genealogy, begin with yourself and work backward. Record what you already know before searching online. Talk with relatives, collect family stories, and gather documents already in your possession.

Common starting materials include:

• Birth, marriage, and death certificates

• Family Bibles and handwritten notes

• Old letters, photographs, and scrapbooks

• Funeral programs, obituaries, and memorial cards

These sources often contain valuable clues that will guide later research.

Work Backward, One Generation at a Time

Genealogical research is most successful when done step by step.

• Start with yourself, then your parents

• Move to grandparents, great-grandparents, and beyond

• Avoid jumping ahead to earlier generations without evidence

Building a solid foundation helps prevent errors from being repeated later.

Record Details Carefully

Accuracy matters in genealogy. Whenever possible, record:

• Full names, including maiden names

• Dates of birth, marriage, and death

• Places associated with each event

Even small details — such as middle names or nearby towns — can make a significant difference when searching records.

Verify Information with Records

Family stories and online trees are helpful starting points, but they should be confirmed whenever possible.

• Use original records such as census data, vital records, probate files, and land records

• Compare multiple sources before drawing conclusions

• Expect spelling variations and conflicting information

Discrepancies are common and are a normal part of genealogical research.

Keep Track of Your Sources

Documenting where information comes from is essential.

• Note where each fact was found

• Record database names, record titles, and dates accessed

• Save copies or images of important documents

Good source tracking allows you — and others — to verify your work later.

Be Patient and Flexible

Genealogy takes time. Records may be incomplete, damaged, or difficult to interpret. Progress is rarely linear, and breakthroughs often come after revisiting earlier research.