starting family history

starting family history.co.uk

the absolute beginner's guide to family history

starting family history: why bother?

(if you are already convinced then go straight to first steps)

Why bother? If you’re reading this you are probably toying with the idea of starting your family history, but something is holding you back. You may be unsure of how to start or even wondering whether it's worth the effort. After all most of the people you’ll be finding out about will be long dead and what have they to do with you in the 21st century?

Perhaps you’re wondering what all the fuss is about. You may even think of it as a bit of a 'nerdy' activity akin to collecting train numbers. Yet researching family history is one of the fastest growing pastimes in the world.

Just look at the response to the TV series ‘Who do you think you are?’ There is something compelling about watching people’s reactions when they learn about their ancestors. Whether from rich or poor backgrounds the celebrities have all been drawn into their family histories and many were deeply moved by what they learned about their ancestors.

Finding out about your ancestors can help you to understand yourself. For example, you may be the only member of your family with a certain talent or temperament and it may make you feel the odd one out – but then you discover an ancestor with a similar talent or interest and you think 'so that's where I got it from' followed by a strange sense of wonderment and belonging.

Your family history is out there waiting to be discovered. It may not be an easy task (though the internet has made research a great deal easier than it was in the past) but it will be a fascinating one.

Convinced? Ready to start? Then move on to first steps