A family tree pedigree is not just a collection of names and dates; it is a beautiful tapestry that weaves together the stories, relationships, and heritage of your ancestors. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced genealogist, this guide will walk you through the process of creating a family tree pedigree, helping you discover, reconstruct, and preserve your family's rich history.
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1. Start with You! You probably know all the facts about your life so far! This information will lay the foundation for creating a family tree pedigree. So, first gather all available information about yourself, including your birth date, birthplace, and the names of your parents and grandparents. Keep thinking...you probably know more than you realize about your extended family.
2. Reach out to Family Members to Conduct Family Interviews: Your relatives, especially older family members, may have a wealth of information that you, or even your parents, never knew about. Ask some of the same questions of them that you asked and answered about yourself in step one: inquire about their birthplaces, occupations, marriages, and any interesting stories or traditions. Document their responses, either on paper, the computer, or in recordings, and take note of any vital records, photographs, or documents they may have.
3. Organize and Record: To keep your family tree organized, consider using genealogy software or online platforms that provide tools and templates for creating family trees. I use Ancestry.com for my online tree and Roots Magic as my genealogy software where I store all my family tree information, especially my private family items and information about living people. . Roots Magic lives on your personal computer so the information that you want to remain private stays there. Alternatively, you can create a physical chart or use a spreadsheet program. Start by inputting the information you've gathered, linking each individual to their respective parents.
4. Verify and Validate: This is probably the number one rule of genealogy professionals. It's essential to verify and validate the information you've gathered. Consult birth certificates, marriage records, obituaries, and other official documents to confirm the accuracy of dates, names, and relationships. Corroboration with as many documents as you can find relating to your ancestors is of utmost importance. This sometimes becomes very difficult if your ancestors have very common surnames or given names, as I do. My Smith ancestors take a lot of time! This step ensures the reliability and integrity of your family tree.
5. Expand Your Research: Once you've established a solid foundation, it's time to expand your research beyond your immediate family. I call them “collateral” individuals or families. While some people may frown upon adding them to a family tree, I find adding and researching them can lead to some interesting discoveries that you may not have found otherwise. Explore records such as census reports, immigration records, military service records, and newspaper archives. Newspapers.com, while it is a paid subscription, can be very helpful in fleshing out, so to speak, an ancestor’s life. Chronicling America is another extremely helpful website although it does take a bit of practice to learn how to use it easily and well.
If you think that your ancestor may have been a veteran having served in the United States military be sure to check Fold3.com. I have found information there about my great-grandfather, and other collateral family ancestors who were US Civil War veterans. Online genealogy databases and local historical societies can provide valuable resources for your research.
6. Collaborate and Connect: Genealogy is often a collaborative endeavor. Consider joining
online forums, social media groups, or local genealogy societies to connect with other researchers who share similar interests. Most times they will be happy to share digital copies of photographs or documents with you as long as they receive credit for that information if you plan to publish it to a website. Personally, I have met some wonderful cousins and extended family through my research. They can provide guidance, share insights, and even contribute additional information to your family tree.
7. Add Personal Touches: While the core of a family tree is factual information, don't
forget to add personal touches that bring your ancestors to life. If you feel so inclined, writing a story about each ancestor and adding your personal experiences with or about them brings our ancestors back to life in a way. Include photos, stories, and anecdotes that you've collected along the way. This adds depth and emotion to your family tree and helps future generations connect with their heritage. Leaving a genealogical trail for future generations may not seem so important to some family members, others will be happy about the information that you may have accrued.
8. Preserve and Share: Preserve your family tree by making copies of all your research and storing it in a safe place. Consider digitizing old photos and documents to protect them from deterioration. I must admit, sometimes this task is not so easy. It takes time and organization skills. Share your findings with your family members and encourage them to contribute their own knowledge and memories.
Creating a family tree pedigree is an interesting, fun, sometimes surprising, and rewarding journey that connects you with your past and provides a legacy for future generations. If you follow your carefully researched information, organize your findings well, and collaborate with others, you can uncover the rich stories and lineage of your ancestors, and begin building a remarkable family tree that will be cherished for years to come. Start today, it can begin a lifelong hobby. You won’t be sorry!
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