Who am I? Where did I come from? What were my great-great grandparents like? These universal questions have led people from all walks of life to study genealogy, the history of one’s ancestry. There are hundreds of books and Web sites that can help you fill in the blanks of your pedigree. Where to begin? Whether you’re trying to document your lineage to 16th century royalty or you simply want to know who’s who in an old photograph, the following is a road map to get you started on the right path to uncovering your past.

Planting Your Family Tree
Genealogists recommend beginning your family history search with yourself, then working back generation by generation. First, create a simple pedigree chart of your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Search for any records you or your family might have (birth, marriage, death certificates) that might provide you with locations, dates and other key information. Other valuable resources include: letters, legal documents, photographs and family Bibles, which often have the names of family members and other information written on the flyleaves.

Obtain Your Oral History
Some people overlook their most valuable genealogy resource: Their living relatives. Interviewing parents, grandparents and other older family members provides valuable clues to your ancestry and adds the kind of personal stories that can transform your genealogy from a sterile record into a compelling family history. Ask what your ancestors did for living, where they lived, where they’re buried and what they were like. Just don’t take oral history as gospel. Verify family lore through independent research to separate fact from fanciful storytelling or faulty memories.

Keep Good Records
It’s important to keep careful records that include not just the facts but sources that document where you found your information. When writing down dates, use the standard genealogy form that includes the full year, as in: 20 October 1903. Establish a storage system for your photographs and memorabilia, and organize your records, charts and notes in a binder or filing system. Computer software programs can help you organize your records.

Search Strategies
To keep your search from becoming unwieldy, focus on a branch of your family tree you’d like to investigate first. You might want to search for any persons or information that are missing among your great-grandparents. From there, some genealogists start with their paternal lineage, searching for their great-grandfather’s father, etc. Males are typically easier to track because women changed their names when they married. You can also begin with the side of the family that left the easiest paper trail to follow or a branch that’s rumored to be descendants of nobility. Perhaps you simply wish to study the lineage of a person who meant the most to you—it’s your path to choose.

Where to Go for Information
To the novice, the number of genealogy resources can be overwhelming. Serious searches for family members can lead anywhere from the Internet to old cemeteries. To navigate through the maze of information, find a good book for beginners, such as Emily Anne Croom’s “Unpuzzling Your Past.” Then, check out the following:

• The library:
Your local library is an excellent resource for genealogists. Most libraries have a section devoted to genealogy, and some of the larger ones even have staff members to assist in your search. You can often find census records, newspapers on microfilm, lists of veterans, city directories, reference books, and more.

• The courthouse:
Much of genealogy is a paper chase for birth, death, marriage and divorce records. These so-called vital records can be obtained-—for a fee--—through the state office or county courthouse where the event took place. If you need help finding records, consult “The Handybook for Genealogists” by George B. Everton. It lists the government records available through federal, state and county offices and provides contact information so you can write for copies of certificates, licenses and other documents.

• The Net
The Internet has revolutionized genealogy research. You can search databases for ancestors, chat with other genealogists who might be working on a branch of your family tree, download genealogy software programs, and obtain all kinds of expert advice. Still, be wary of online data. There’s a lot of erroneous information floating around the Net. Most experts say you can’t conduct all of your research online, but you can develop leads and maybe fill in a few blanks on your pedigree. A good place to start: Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet (www.cyndislist.com). It’s got thousands of categorized links to all kinds of informative sites.

• Societies:
Genealogical and historical societies can provide all kinds of help with your research. They can help you track down vital records and put you in touch with someone who might already be working on your family tree. You can usually find your local society through the phone book, library or Internet.

• The Mormon church:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has proven an excellent resource for genealogists because the Mormons have been amassing records from government entities, churches, and organizations for more than a century. Only a small portion of the records pertain to Mormons and their ancestors, and the collection is available to anyone interested in genealogy. The church maintains these records at its Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, and copies can be obtained at the library’s Family History Centers, with locations around the world (check your phone book). You can also find a catalog of the library’s records, along with useful search information, at www.familysearch.org.

Genealogy Terms
AGBI: The American Genealogical Biographical Index, a key genealogical database equivalent to 200 printed volumes that contains millions of records of persons whose names have appeared in family histories and printed genealogical records. Available online at Ancestry.com.

BGMI: The Biography & Genealogy Master Index contains information on millions of Americans profiled in “Who’s Who” publications in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Available online at Ancestry.com.

Compiled Records: Indexes of original records, such as birth and marriage certificates. While indexes can help you track down a certificate, they should not be a substitute for original documents because they’re not always reliable.

Family Group Sheet: A chart that lists an entire family, including father, mother, their parents and children.

IGI: The International Genealogical Index, a computer file produced by the Family History Library containing the names of several hundred million deceased people worldwide. The index also has some vital records (birth, marriage certificates) on people who lived from 1500 to 1885. Available on CD, microfiche or the Internet at www.familysearch.org.

Pedigree chart: A chart of your direct ancestors (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.).

Resources
This is just a small sample of the many resources available to genealogists through libraries, bookstores and computers.

Online
• Ancestry.com, www.ancestry.com: Even non-subscribers can find leads to ancestors on this site’s searchable databases, but you will have to pay for full access to the vast amount of information on file.
• Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet, www.cyndislist.com: Thousands of categorized links to genealogy sites. An excellent starting point.
• Family Search, www.familysearch.org: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Web site features searchable databases and valuable how-to tips for finding your ancestors. Includes free software you can download for creating your pedigree chart and ancestor tree.

In Print
• “Unpuzzling Your Past: The Best-Selling Basic Guide to Genealogy” by Emily Anne Croom. Betterway Books. An excellent how-to book for beginners.
• “The Handybook for Genealogists,” by George B. Everton. Everton Publishers. A guide to government records available through federal, state and county offices. Provides contact information so you can write for copies of certificates, licenses and other records.

Software
• Brother’s Keeper: A Windows genealogy program that allows you to organize your family history information and print a variety of charts and reports. Visit www.bkwin.com.
• Family Tree Maker : This CD-ROM allows you to build your family tree, make keepsake printouts, and search U.S. and international indexes and records. (800) 548-1806.