And where to start??

You've got your beginning information, now you have to think about how you are going to tackle this stuff. Are you going to keep track of it with paper and pencil? Do you want software that stands alone? Software that is part of a website? It's a personal decision, but in whatever you decide, keep in mind that you will have A TON of information. A TON. Did I mention GOBS of information that you will have to keep track of? If you are great at paper organization, do it. If you want software, do it.

I often get asked what I do. I opt for stand-alone software as WELL as built-in software (ala ancestry.com). And yes, I use many different types of stand-alone software depending on what I want to do. While collecting information, I, personally, utilize the ancestry.com built-in software (I am in NO WAY endorsing ancestry.com or not endorsing them..I am just stating what I do). There is an option within their website to export that information to a .ged file (a file type that is easily imported into other genealogy software). Once I am done (or whenever I may want to do it) with my project, I export it to a .ged file and then import into another type of software. I tend to be "simple" person when it comes to software...especially when I am dealing with a myriad of information. Because of that, I really, REALLY like LDS' Personal Ancestral File. It's simple, straight forward, and has many options. You can get it here: Personal Ancestral File





I couldn't find a happy resize of the above picture, it is a screen shot of the PAF software. You can see how user-friendly it is. If you want to edit information for one of the individuals shown, just double-click on them!:) There are many options within the new window that opens for that individual. Best of all, the software is provided for FREE!

More software that is "somewhat" free is from My Heritage (myheritage.com). I don't use it for compiling purposes, but for compiling pictures and reports. You CAN, however, use it for keeping your information organized, etc, but be aware that there are limitations on the free software and to be able to take full advantage of everything it has to offer, it would require a fee. This software wasn't comfortable for me, PERSONALLY, to maneuver around in, but the other features are REALLY neat (ie: report generations, tree charts, etc).




Screen shot above from My Heritage website. Yeah, ok....I can't find a happy medium for resizing the pictures, but it's the best I can do to also be able to show a little about the software ;)


More free software can be seen HERE!



Figure out what you are most comfortable with (and there are plenty of pay-for softwares out there, too) and we will get rolling next time!

So you want to trace your roots?

I've always been interested in my roots...ever since I was in high school, but it wasn't until the age of the internet did I really start researching. It was, mainly, through trial and error and just plain DOING IT that I learned where to look, what to look for, and all that good stuff to get the information I sought.

Whenever I am getting started tracing for someone else, I always gather as much initial information a person can give me. This includes parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and MAYBE great-great grandparents. Information I request outside of names include approximate birth years, places lived, and any siblings.

Why so much? Well, generally, I don't always need great-great grandparents (depending on the age of the person requesting the research) or siblings, but if you get a name like SMITH, JONES, etc...all information you can get, the better off you will be.

EXAMPLE:

John Smith's great-grandparents are John and Jane Smith. EXACTLY. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT! But, we also know that John and Jane Smith had kids: John Jr., Charles, Mary, and Courtney. All common names, but COURTNEY (at least back in the times we are referring to). SO, if you come across a household in a census with a COURTNEY in it, chances are, it's GOT to be the family you are looking for. VOILA. Thank GOODNESS you had sibling names, etc :) You've found your family :)

MORAL OF THE FIRST ENTRY: gather as much basic information as you can!