Finally Going To Start Tracing My Genealogy. Could Use Some Pointers.

[Cat'sGrowl]

Hello Loungers.

If there is one thing I can say about me, it's that I remember the importance of the past. I formulate my approach to life by looking at history, by learning from it, and by respecting it. I've always been the oddball amongst the people I knew because I love history, and I cherish it. It's important to me.

Tracing my genealogy is something I have wanted to do for a very long time, and I'm now tired of putting it off. I long to learn about my ancestors, and to make sure they are remembered, to learn from them.

Growing up, my father told me of two notable peoples in our recent family history. The first being the Studebakers, some of the first automobile manufacturer's, and the one I'm very proud of, Dwight Eisenhower, who was a role model for me before was ever even told I was a descendant of his.

Which brings me to my question.

Where do I start? Ancestry.com seems to have a poor reputation among the "true" genealogists of the e-world, because it apparently provides poor documentation, if it provides any at all.

I know I'm not the only one on the Huddle with an interest for such things, so if someone else who has been down this road could provide me with a place to start and some important tips I need to know, it'd be appreciated.

[PhillyB]

probably best to start with older family members. go to anyone you're even remotely related to and see if they're willing to let you go through old family archives. never know what you're gonna find.

[NCstoner420]

Ancestry.com worked really well for me, traced my roots to the year 1200. It really helps if there are documents mentioning your family members.

[Anybodyhome]

Probably need to know who your parents are/were....

[awdeansr]

Ancestry.com is good in some ways and bad in others. Many of the user trees that pop up during your search will be incorrect. My advice is get a list together of your Parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. You will then need to have their birthdays or date of deaths. After acquiring that info visit the clerk of courts/ register of deeds and have them look up Birth certificates and death records, you will find tons of information with these to get you started.

Searching for your family roots is not a quick or easy process and it can be an expensive endeavor requiring you to visit other towns to get records from dusty old libraries and court houses. I have been working on mine for 2 years now and have a long way to go!

[Skew]

*waits for the "Finally Going To Start Tracing Your Gynecology. Could Use Some Pointers." thread*

[Wither]

[Ivan The Awesome]

Good luck to you.