Many people are fascinated by their own family history (geneology). As we get older we start to wonder about the generations that came before us and feel that we want to find out more about our ancestry. How did we come to be in the country of our birth, what country were our grandparents and great grandparents from and what about their parents? What languages did they speak and what cultural traditions have been left behind with the passage of time? These are all questions they may prompt you to search your family history especially if you are a new parent.
Once you have your own kids it may become important to you that they know where they ‘come from’. In many ways knowing our roots helps us to understand more about who we are. Documenting the trials and tribulations of our relatives leaves behind a legacy that becomes a source of pride for generations to come.
How to Search you Family's History
These days there is a wealth of information both online and off to help you search your family history quickly and easily. However it will still require lots of patience and you’ll need to be prepared to do a lot of digging as you slowly begin to uncover the past and put together your family tree.
Where to Start the Geneology Search
As you start to uncover your family’s history you may feel overwhelmed by the many sources of this kind of information on the Internet. Do bear in mind that even before the World Wide Web people searched their family history quite successfully so it’s quite possible to do it offline. The Internet just makes it easier.
There are many sources of family history and these include but are not limited to:
* Census records
These are records of a count taken of all the people in a particular location at a certain, documented time in history. Census records usually make mention of names, employment details, home or work addresses and may provide valuable clues to the whereabouts and activities of your relatives at a particular time.
* Birth registers
Depending on where your family lived, what year it was and their circumstances at the time, their birth may have been recorded in the local birth register at the time. Obviously the further back in time they lived the trickier this may be as some small towns and villages didn’t keep accurate records. However, for more recent years a birth register may become invaluable.
* Marriage registers
If you know where your relatives lived the chances are good that their marriages were registered in their local government. Searching the marriage registers can provide clues to the maiden names of in-laws and help you to expand your search.
