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Thinking of a Family History Search?
If you're seriously thinking about beginning a family history search, or if you're just toying with the idea, here's some useful information that might help you to realize that the process may be far more exciting and rewarding than you think. Recording the names and dates of family members is only the beginning of your family history search. Once you have these names and dates, the real genealogical detective work begins, and can give you a deeper and more personal sense of your family history.
The World's New Favorite Pastime
Ancestry.com's UK branch released research in 2005 showing that people spend 20% more time on family history search websites than shopping online, overtaking online shopping as the most addictive hobby! There is even research that suggests that genealogy searching is the #1 activity on the internet.
Royal Family Ties
So, you've always wanted to have rich and famous cousins, huh? Well, that might not be such a far fetched notion after all.
Because of the resources and the record keeping available to the nobility, royal family trees are among the most complete, accurate, and longest kept family trees in the world. The royal class has always been very interested in the genealogy of its ranks. It was assumed that those with royal bloodlines were superior to those without, so a precise cataloging of all the members of the royal class was necessary to ensure that there was no mixing with those of inferior birth.
Here's a more recent example of tracing your "royal" lineage.
The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) in Boston has released a study in which it found Illinois Senator Barack Obama, can claim at least six U.S. presidents as distant cousins, including George W. Bush and his father, Gerald R. Ford, Lyndon B. Johnson, Harry S Truman, and James Madison.
Because of the resources and the record keeping available to the nobility, royal family trees are among the most complete, accurate, and longest kept family trees in the world. The royal class has always been very interested in the genealogy of its ranks. It was assumed that those with royal bloodlines were superior to those without, so a precise cataloging of all the members of the royal class was necessary to ensure that there was no mixing with those of inferior birth.
Here's a more recent example of tracing your "royal" lineage.
The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) in Boston has released a study in which it found Illinois Senator Barack Obama, can claim at least six U.S. presidents as distant cousins, including George W. Bush and his father, Gerald R. Ford, Lyndon B. Johnson, Harry S Truman, and James Madison.
Obama's "Royal" Bloodline
NE Genealogical Society says Sen. Obama is related to 6 former US Presidents!
Uncovering Rich History
One of the many rewarding and fulfilling benefits of delving into your family's past, is the discovery of riveting tales of love, peril and adventure sure to put even the biggest of "blockbuster" movies to shame. Who knows, your family history search might lead to the "stuff of legend"!
Many have gone on to publish their findings and become best selling authors and screen writes. Alex Haley may ring a bell.
The Peterborough Evening Telegraph reported on a woman who's Family history search revealed a tale of love, death and disaster. Her desire now is to dig deeper and discover how the tragic story ended A PAIR of young lovers torn from each other's arms after one of them, 25 year old Arthur James Blackham, drowns in a freak accident aboard a cursed ship.
Sounds like the plot of a Hollywood movie, doesn't it? But it's a true story involving a couple from Peterborough, around the same time as the Titanic tragedy
Many have gone on to publish their findings and become best selling authors and screen writes. Alex Haley may ring a bell.
The Peterborough Evening Telegraph reported on a woman who's Family history search revealed a tale of love, death and disaster. Her desire now is to dig deeper and discover how the tragic story ended A PAIR of young lovers torn from each other's arms after one of them, 25 year old Arthur James Blackham, drowns in a freak accident aboard a cursed ship.
Sounds like the plot of a Hollywood movie, doesn't it? But it's a true story involving a couple from Peterborough, around the same time as the Titanic tragedy
Getting Started
Staring with a simple blank family tree diagram might seem a little overwhelming but, it's actually an excellent place to begin your genealogical research. Strange as it may sound, a family history search begins at the end... with you. Put your full name on the first line of your first blank family tree. Use maiden names for all women. Underneath your name, there may be spaces for more information: the date and place of birth, marriage and death. If you are married, fill in the Spouse blank with his or her full (maiden) name.
Your ancestors lived much richer and fuller lives than just a birthday, date of death, and marriage certificate. There are innumerable resources available to reveal aspects of our ancestors' lives to us. In addition to other government records, like immigration, military and probate records, you can find out more about your ancestors through photographs, letters and correspondence, and newspaper articles, to name only a few good sources.
Your ancestors lived much richer and fuller lives than just a birthday, date of death, and marriage certificate. There are innumerable resources available to reveal aspects of our ancestors' lives to us. In addition to other government records, like immigration, military and probate records, you can find out more about your ancestors through photographs, letters and correspondence, and newspaper articles, to name only a few good sources.
Making The Job Easier (and Faster!)
Did you know that if you research 10 generations of your family, you'll be gathering information on 2,046 individuals? Twenty generations -- and the number increases to a whopping 1 million people!
Researching your family history, whether in the initial phases of finding names and dates or in the later phases of filling in their lives, is very time-consuming. In our busy society, you might consider using research services, including books, software and online tools, to assist or complete your tasks.
For instance, you can discover what research has already been done for your family tree at OneGreatFamily.com, or read e-books like Genealogy: Uncovering Your Ancestry.
The joy and fulfillment of beginning your family history search will add depth, richness, and a sense of connection with all who embark on the journey with you!
Researching your family history, whether in the initial phases of finding names and dates or in the later phases of filling in their lives, is very time-consuming. In our busy society, you might consider using research services, including books, software and online tools, to assist or complete your tasks.
For instance, you can discover what research has already been done for your family tree at OneGreatFamily.com, or read e-books like Genealogy: Uncovering Your Ancestry.
The joy and fulfillment of beginning your family history search will add depth, richness, and a sense of connection with all who embark on the journey with you!
Drop Us A Line!
Sign my guestbook while your here. You know you want to!
anthropos wrote...
Oops! I goofed. My genealogy group is Everything Genealogy and Family History. I was thinking of my travel group and typed it wrong.
Posted December 02, 2008
anthropos wrote...
Good job, Marlon. I am always looking for new lens on genealogy. You might want to think about joining my group on Anything & Everything Genealogy. I have done several lenses myself on genealogy and family history.
Posted December 02, 2008
SirPopoy wrote...
Thanks for sharing this great information regarding family genealogy! Here's another source on how to trace family history you might like to visit!
Posted November 16, 2008
d-artist wrote...
very nice lens!I love doing my genealogy, you can learn so much about yourself when you learn about your ancestors...5*s
Posted September 11, 2008
Margaret_McKinney wrote...
I've been trying to put together information for the younger generations. It's important to me to record more than just dates and places. Stop by my len about my Grandmother for an example of the type of thing I'd like to record for each person in the family.
Posted August 18, 2008
by familyhistorysearcher
Welcome! My name is Marlon. I hope to bring you new and enlightening information to aid you in your family history search. (more)
