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Does your family observe special holiday traditions that have been passed down generation after generation? Are you always hearing stories about how your mother's great-great-great-great- grandfather was a wild adventurer or that your great-grandma on your dad's side descended from royal lineage? Finding out the truth about family folklore is often what motivates people to trace their ancestry. Other people's interest in genealogy comes from the need to discover their "roots," and to understand "who they are" by learning where they came from. The Basics Exploring genealogy means becoming an amateur detective. Discipline and rigorous note-keeping is essential.. The first step is to set up a record book. A three-ring binder with loose leaf paper is handy because it will allow you to move things around as you find information, or, if you're computer literate, a special file and disc. It's important to get in the habit of writing down everything you do and every avenue you explore, including names of experts or organizations, documents, book or source names and reference numbers. Make entries even if a search comes up empty and you don't find anything; it will help you from duplicating your efforts or to re-trace your steps(1). Most cultures traces their ancestry through the male line. This is because the surname remains the same in each generation. It is best to tackle only one side of your family's history at a time, to avoid confusion. If you get stuck with your paternal ancestry, then you can turn to your mother's families, tracing them through the male line as well(3). Tracing Your Family Tree The most obvious place to start your family tree is with your own home. What's already known of your family's life story provides a solid base. The first thing to check is whether there's a treasure of home resources stashed away in somebody's attic or hope chest. Useful documents include: Announcements:
of births, weddings, anniversaries, deaths. Record all the relevant names and dates found. Many memorabilia are often without such identifying data. It's always helpful to make a photocopy of these items for your record book. Gaps of information could then be filled in later when you talk to relatives(4). Talking to Relatives Make a list of living relatives whose names you know. Then draw up a list of questions to ask them about themselves, their children, and their forebears. Following is a sample of the sort of information you should aim to collect, allowing a separate page for each relative interviewed:
Drafting a Pedigree Chart By now you should have accumulated quite an amount of information and you'll need to organize it in a visual or pictorial way in order to keep it all straight. You'll require a large sheet of lined or blank paper, about 1m by 700cm. It is best folded up when not in use, as a roll is more difficult to carry on your search and wears at the edges. Each generational line on the chart should be allowed about 5cm so there's enough room to include all the recommended data:
Public Records Searches Once you have pooled all results so far, you are ready to investigate official records and histories that will substantiate what you have already found and will lead to the discovery of even earlier ancestors. Some of the places you can look include church and government offices and public archives such as the National Archives of Canada, as well as private archival collections and special records offices. Your ancestors' place of origin and background will determine which of these sources would be most useful, and in what city, province or country(7).
1,7 - Handbook for
Genealogists 2,3,4,5,6 - Tracing
Your Family Tree
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The study of family history is called Genealogy, from the Greek words
for "race" and "theory." Tracing your family history allows you to discover
more than just your ancestor's names and the dates they were born and
died. You may also find out what these people were like, how they lived
and how their attitudes live in you. You may develop a new appreciation
and perspective of history and geography, and even discover a cultural
compass that explains a part of yourself.
In recording findings of the surname you are looking for, you should note
all entries of the surname and its variants. Always spell the names exactly
as you see them. Surnames were originally used by individuals to distinguish
themselves from their friends and neighbours, and these are the names
they died with. In time names became fixed and were inherited, passed
on from one generation to the next. Surnames generally derived from personal
nicknames(Whitehead, Little), occupations(Wheeler, Smith), dwelling places(Hill,
Cornwall) or patronyms. An example of a patronym is Robertson: a man takes
his father's Christian name, in this case Robert, and the suffix "-son"
is added to make the surname. This originally changed with every generation(2).
The next step is to find out if anyone has traced you family's history
already. Maybe a relative has prepared a family tree, or knows of someone
who has. It's always a good idea to ask. Whatever's been done before gives
you a head start over starting from scratch, even if you decide to double
check previous findings for accuracy.
If you arrange your visit well in advance, it will give your relatives
time to think back and to collect family documents and heirlooms, which
may contain very useful clues about names and events. Also, coax your
relatives to tell stories from their childhood and write them down. These
tales can give you some idea about various members of the family, what
they were like, and how they lived. Some answers will be less complete
than others, or will contradict what you have been told by someone else
in the family. Talking to as many people as possible will help in forming
the clearest possible picture(5).
Some people prefer a more basic chart with just name and birthdate, while
others create a work art worthy of being passed down as a family heirloom,
like the Eby Family Tree shown here. Another option is to summarize information
on a "family group form," which can be purchased or home made(6). Either
way, now you have an outline of your family history and are ready to go
outside family sources and embark on a search for more and missing information.
One of the best places to start on your public search is a library. Many
libraries have genealogy departments and have copies of several public
documents such as immigration records, church papers and local histories.
But a library is also an important starting point for its collection of
"how to" resources. There are specialized genealogy dictionaries, manuals
and handbooks for various ethnic origins such as Irish, British, Jewish.
They provide detailed information and listings on sources and institutions
that might be useful in your search, from both a Canadian and international
perspective. A library will also have a good collection of maps and atlases
useful for identifying place names and geographical jurisdictions, especially
when borders and names may have changed over time.
Perhaps the most innovative tool for today's genealogist is the Internet.
It provides a fast and far- reaching resource for finding long-lost relatives.
Entering the term "genealogy" in any search engine will get you going
with a number of "family finder" Web sites designed specifically for that
purpose. Courses on using the Internet for genealogy are often available
at community centres or public libraries, such as city reference libraries,
and provide hands on experience and professional assistance.