The dawn of family tree creation is anything but over. In fact, it’s only just beginning.
Sure, it might have something of a traditional “feel” about it, but advancements in technology means that it’s easier than ever before to create a family tree – and more people are following this path.
When we talk about advancements in technology, we’re referring to the likes of people search services which suddenly open up a wealth of opportunities in this regard. It means that the days of jet setting around the globe, attempting to find a long, lost relative to pose questions to, are long gone.
Bearing this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the things you need to do to get your family tree off the ground.
Start backwards
You might know that you want your tree to start from 1900, but attempting to start from this date is of course asking for trouble. In short, nobody is around from this era, and this means that piecing together information is very hard – unless you already have some existing resources.
Instead, start backwards. Start from today and go back in time. It means that you can start with a large pool of relatives and ultimately tap into their knowledge.
Be wary of name changes
Another advantage of working backwards is that you can immediately note any name changes, or even nicknames. This is something that some records might fool you with; they might refer to someone that actually changed their name meaning that it’s nigh-on impossible to obtain any further information.
Has anything been done before?
It can be quite satisfying to say that you are responsible for your entire family tree, but this is also an almighty task. In truth, you should be looking to obtain as much help as you possibly can, and this means tapping into the knowledge of others who might have tread this path over the years.
At times, you might be able to speak to these people, while there might be times where there is nobody left to speak to and you are just left with the work they have created. Naturally, the best opportunities are when you can actually speak to someone who has history of this work, but don’t underestimate the power of a paper trail as it can lead you much further than your work alone.
It’s not just about your family
We’ve just mentioned the power of speaking to people, but these people don’t necessarily have to be in your family. Sure, it helps, but if you can also get in contact with historians from other families you will be surprised at just how valuable they can be. They will have run into a whole host of problems, but will most probably have countless solutions to help you on your way. There are various societies of genealogists out there, and by tapping into these resources you will be amazed at just how much easier it becomes to piece together your own family tree.
