Working on your family tree can be an exciting undertaking, but the sheer number of resources to consult can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Basic Principles:
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Use yourself as the starting point, then work backwards one generation at a time.
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Record all the information you find, along with its source.
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Collect the following key information for each ancestor: full name, place of residence, occupation, religion and dates of birth, marriage and death.
First Steps:
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Gather all the information you already know. Search for documents or old photographs that might be at home.
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Contact family members. The Thoughtco.com website provides tips on how to interview relatives, as well as sample questions to ask.
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Organize the information you gather. Use simple family tree templates for clarity. The two main types of charts to start with are pedigree charts and the family group charts.
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Charts can be downloaded and printed free of charge from a large number of websites:
Free charts and templates from the National Genealogical Society
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The following websites are useful for getting started in genealogy research:
Library and Archives Canada's Genealogy and Family History page
The FamilySearch wiki contains thousands of step-by-step articles. Their guide, Principles of Family History Research , can be used as a general introduction.
Further Information:
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Read a general genealogy guide. See our list of recommended books by subject: Genealogy Guides for Beginners
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The first records to consult are census data, vital statistics (births, marriages and deaths) and church registers. Consult the research guides on the above site for advice on finding these and other useful records.
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Book a one-on-one appointment with a library staff member for help using genealogical resources or contact us with any questions: Contact Us | Ottawa Public Library (BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca).