Lesson 1: Creating your Family Tree

Vocabulary:

1. Genealogy: the study of families and tracing of their lineage and history. 
2. Surname: last name
3. Given Name: First Name
4. Maiden Name: A woman's last name before marriage
5. Married Name: A woman's last name after marriage
   
   
   

Steps to Creating your Tree:

We are going to assume you want to have your tree online. You can create your own on paper or software (we will go over software at a later date) but, this time lets discuss online trees.

First

• Write Down any known relatives names: Given Name, Surname, if they have one a Maiden name and married name.
• Write down their birth dates if you don't know it and they are still alive just ask them and their death dates if they have passed.
• If you know their relation to you write it down.
  

Online family trees:

There are many free options.

• Family Link: This site syncs with facebook. You can actually use the we're related app on facebook to fill in your tree. The basic account is free and they have plus options that are very affordable.
  
• Geni: This site lets you set up a family tree in which your family members each have their own profile. You can invite family members to view the tree and also help you add to it. There is also a family calender, and family time line. Plus, it a social networking site so you can add friends and possibly get more information for your family from someone who is also researching your surname or you can help someone with information!
  

• Tribal Pages: This is a great site also, I am working on our tree through this site. You actually get your own family tree website! It takes a bit more time to set-up but, if you have computer skills it won't be to difficult. If you aren't great with the computer ask someone for help!
  

Subscription Based Trees:

• Ancestry: This is the most used and recognized tree in this category. You get to display your tree and research all in one spot. To a beginner though this may be overwhelming. Through your subscription you get access to numerous record databases including Census Records(you can view the original records). One big plus is that you can connect with other users and see their tree more than likely you will find a distant relative who may have info your looking for. They have a 14 day free trial so you can see if its worth it!
  
  
  Software: You can purchase a family tree software for your computer. To read reviews and make your choice go to Consumer Search's website. You can get them on Amazon.
  

***Note: Once you start moving around the websites and your tree you will notice something called a GEDCOM. This is simply your family tree file. Just like you have a word document. Theses can be moved to and from your computer to any genealogical software, online site. This way you don't have to continuously recreate your tree.

Assignment:

• Choose where you want your family tree to be and get started creating the tree. If you do this leave a comment or share it with somebody you know! 
• Decide what family member you want to start researching next week. 
• Start reading about genealogy on the internet or through books.

 

Continuing Assignment: Keep doing family interviews/conversations. Don't take these for granted. 

"I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich."  ~Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford, "Identity Crisis," M*A*S*H

Next Week: Researching Your Family!

Lesson 1/2: Why?

We find ourselves asking this question a lot so, one more time won't hurt!

Why are you doing genealogy?

Even if you don't know right this second an answer will pop up at some point in your research.

I started because I loved history and thought it would be neat to learn my history. It turns out I have gained much more than historical knowledge. I am closer to my family. I understand them more especially my grandparents. I never knew this until one afternoon almost two years ago. I called my grandma just to ask her a few questions about her childhood. We have had many other conversations like this and I have grown to appreciate her more. Plus, grandparents love it when you ask them about their life. Many of us are so stuck in our own world that we forget that once upon a time Grandpa was a 6 year old boy wanting good Christmas gifts just like us. Show your elders that you think more than about yourself!

A common misconception about genealogy and people who enjoy doing this is that the past is more important than the present. For some this is true but, that isn't what we want. Just as in your school history your family history connects to today. You are the connection! What your family did back in the day has effects you. Why? Your alive!!!!

Assignment: Talk to one older relative(mother, father, grandpa ,grandma) about their life. These are called Family Interviews. Start with these questions and then add your own. Write down their answers and anything else they tell you. Save this paper for next week.

Questions:

1. What town/city were you born in and what was it like living there?
   
2. Tell me a good memory when you were a kid?
3. Did you have any pets?
4. What did you do for fun?
5. Who were your best friends growing up?
   

A young genealogist?

When I say that out loud it sounds weird. Don't you think? Well it doesn't have to be! A young person(under 30) can be a genealogist!

I recently started taking seriously being a family historian. Through all of my researching and learning about this community I noticed one thing. Everyone is older than me (which is fine I love older people) but, I know many young people who love history and what better history to research than your own? Then I thought well maybe it looks boring, old or hard? Then I realized there isn't really a place for the younger crowd a lot of the products and shows are aimed at the older crowd.

I hope to change this. How?

I am going to introduce and educate from a younger perspective. I will post a lesson hopefully once a week. There will be product recommendations and all sorts of fun things! There is a whole world out there dedicated to Genealogy. We will start from the beginning