Getting Started
We want to start with a 5 Generation Family Tree. To do so, it is best to start by interviewing all family members that you can – parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. Believe it or not, grandparents normally provide more useful information than parents if they are available. Grandparents can normally remember their grandparents and because of that fact, it will
help you to get much closer to a 5 Generation Family Tree.
I have mentioned in many links to this site that I am providing a way for you to start your genealogy research at no cost. I intend to exceed your expectatations by providing as much appropriate useful free information, links, and advice as possible. I was fortunate enough early in my research to have family members, other genealogists, etc. that were willing to do the same for me and I was very grateful for all of the help. They normally only asked that I do the same for others and this site is dedicated to the promise that I made to those folks. In addition, I have organized these pages to provide a way for anyone who is just getting started in their genealogical research to benefit as well as providing useful tips for experienced researchers. You will find three sections to this page:
1. Basic Genealogy Research – this is the research that you need to do regardless of whether you pay for family tree software, search sites, etc.
2. Getting Started In Your Genealogy Research For Free – Includes free genealogy sites, family tree software and genealogy tools that help you to get started for no up-front investment (other than your time). Some of my recommendations do include paid upgrades and I will identify them as such. When I recommend a “free software package or free service, they normally are just that unless I indicate otherwise. To date, I only found quality family tree software with “paid” upgrades, however the free versions are good stand-alone products in their own right. I am always reviewing software products, and if or when I do find totally free quality family tree software I will be sure to post my recommendations here.
3. Getting Started In Your Genealogy Research For Under $100.00 – for approximately $100.00 you can have a quality family tree software product, access to extensive search sites and a family website that you can use to share your research with other family members. If you have the capability, please exercise this option. You will find eventually that paid research sites are the only way to acquire some information and if you are a serious researcher you will find that the investment is well worth it up front. By serious researcher I mean that you are attempting to build a significant family tree with proper citations, etc. If you are simly looking to figure out who a certain ancestor was and then be done with it, the free
option is stil the best way to go! Most of my recommendations have free trials however the product or service on the free trial basis will have limitations that are removed when you purchase the product or service.
BASIC GENEALOGY RESEARCH
Basic research normally starts with family interviews. This is the fastest way to initiate your research. To get the most out of your interview time (for both you and the interviewees), please use the following free guide:
If you cannot interview family members, please record as many facts as you can remember onto a legal pad, note paper, etc. This will be your starting point.
Once you have filled up several legal pads and/or several tapes, it is time to start a family tree to keep track of your interview results. This can be done with paper forms like the following:
Record your findings on this form and use as many copies as necessary. Even though the form is pretty self explanatory, you can find instructions on the “Family Tree Magazine” website. The link is provided on the left sidebar of this website. I got ths form from that site and they are very good at providing a lot of useful information including tutorials on the forms that they provide. I view the use of a paper chart as a necessary first step because you may have relatives that have some basic research completed and depending on their age, paper forms were the only way to record the family history. Also much historical information that you will uncover exists only on paper (or equivalent). Once you are comfortable with the paper charts, it is time to find the right software package. Your research life will become much easier!
GETTING STARTED IN YOUR GENEALOGY RESEARCH FOR FREE:
Start with “BASIC GENEALOGY RESEARCH” steps listed above.
Once you have your 5 Generation Ancestor Chart filled out as much as possible, take a look at the free family tree software listed below. You can organize your content much more efficiently by using a family tree software package and it is easier to add/correct additional details as they become available. Besides, by now you probably have enough paper notes from interviews that you may want to trash it all!!! I have listed two recommendations for free family tree software packages. They have some different whistles and bells however the basic charting functions in both are solid. I have experimented with both and even though I like the My Heritage Family Tree Builder software personally, I am presenting both because of the different features that they contain. The Legacy Family Tree may be a little easier to use up front, however I like the “snazzy” user interface provided with the Heritage software. Links to both packages are included here:
My HeritageFamily Tree
Builder
You can download and install the packages from the sites and be up and running in minutes, literally. Both have paid upgrades however the free version should get you through your initial research and in many cases they may be satisfactory for your ongoing needs. Although the paid versions are a step up – they are not the best on the market for the money (in my humble opinion). Don’t worry, most packages (and the two that I recommend above) have the capability to export your hard work to a common file structure called GEDCOM which is commonly used to share family tree information. These GEDCOM files can be imported to your paid software should you decide to upgrade. All paid packages have the import feature well defined! So, if or when you outgrow the free version, you can select the paid software package that meets your needs best. I continue to use Family Tree Maker because it is still the best package on the market.
Research, Research and more Research! – Now is a good time to select the free links listed on the left sidebar and follow the directions on the websites. I would start with the Family Search link and work my way down the sidebar. If you get stuck, this site is only a click away and I would encourage you to post a comment on the appropriate Gelealogy page requesting help.
As you find family members and ancestors, record them on your new family tree software package and watch you tree grow! Again, if you have any questions or get hung up please let me know via the Genealogy pages or via email listed on the Home page.
GETTING STARTED IN YOUR GENEALOGY RESEARCH FOR UNDER $100.00
Start with the “BASIC GENEALOGY RESEARCH” steps defined above. Be sure to fill in the paper 5 Generation Ancestor Chart.
For a modest investment of $82.91 (Normally $90.90), I would recommend the following:
Family Tree Maker 2010 (normally $39.95) – now 20% off – $31.96 This is the software that I use to manage my family tree of over 17,000 entries and hundreds of photos, maps, other images, etc. It is still one of the best family tree packages on the market and the new version integrates much better with Ancestry.com. In addition, there are numerous on-line resources that will help you populate your family tree much more quickly. Once you have filled out your 5 Generation Ancestor Chart, purchase and install this software package. Build your initial family tree on the software package using the instructions included with the software, and your 5 Generation Ancestor Chart information. Use the free
Genealogy Research Site links on the left sidebar to comtinue to build your family tree as much as possible.
The Step-By-Step Genealogy Guide – $21.00 (Includes Family Tree Charts, Reference Forms and numerous genealogy links.) The Step-By-Step Guide starts pretty much where this site leave off and continues well into the relm of experienced genealogists. I hesitate to use the term “Expert Genealogist” because that level of expertise normally only comes with experience – and lots of it! However, this guide gets you started in the right direction. Continue to build your family tree using the steps outlined in this guide.
MyFamily.com – $29.95 (annual subscription) A great way to post your family tree from Family Tree Maker or any other family tree software package, invite family members and friends to join at no cost, include photos to share, share news, chat, include history files, etc. Once you have a reasonably well organized
Family Tree, it is time to share your hard work with family members and other interested parties that may be able to contribute.
Optional - Ancestry.com – One Month World Subscription – $29.95. Ancestry has cornered the market on U.S. Census, Social Security Death Index, and other large databases of genealogical information. They have an annual subscription at a reduced rate per month, however I have subscribed for brief periods when all other sources fail. Unless you are a professional genealogist it would be best to subscribe for brief periods. I would recommend that you use all of the free research links at your disposal before spending money on Ancestry.com. It may take several months to exhaust the leads on the free sites before you see a need to pay for the Ancestry.com service. Although I do recommend it, I recommend it in small doses to augment the free links.
