Helen Tovey
Do you have a steadily growing pile of findings that is looking a little (or more than a little) disorganised? A family history puzzle you just can’t untangle? These 10 family history projects will help you organise what you have found out, and help you see what you need to do next. Simple, methodical strategies for better – and more successful – research. Helen Tovey explains
On our quest to trace our roots we often (or always!) find ourselves in a funny predicament: on the one hand having acquired masses of documents and details, yet, on the other, lacking that vital – tantalising – tiny piece of evidence we need to really solve our family history puzzle. These 10 family history projects have been chosen:
• firstly to help us keep track of the vast quantities of information we find
• and secondly to help us identify the clues and solutions to the answers we still seek.
There are projects suitable for all levels of family history enthusiast. I would recommend having a read, and just ‘prescribe’ yourself one project at a time, and then do it thoroughly.
In this hasty rush-around world, dedicating yourself to a job well done, with no corners cut, and a solid end result to be proud of, is an achievement well worth it. I hope you find these projects helpful in getting more out of your family history.
Projects 1 to 3 are for you if you’re – brand new to family history
Start digging about for clues
Project 1
Find out what you know When starting to do your family history, it’s a good idea to note down what you know already. Don’t worry if it doesn’t seem much – you may be surprised at the sorts of clues that come to mind. So what sort of thing should you write down?
While you’re doing your family history, think of yourself as a detective, gathering evidence. The clues you need to trace your family tree are, those such as:
• Names
• Dates (of birth, marriage and death)
• Places (of birth, marriages and death) and other addresses too, to locate a person through their life
• Family photos (these may show a uniform, a home you recognise, an event – eg a wedding)
• Family papers (eg birth, marriage and death certificates, newspaper snippets, letters).
If possible, speak to your family and ask them for clues, and copies of photographs or papers they may have too. You are now on the road to piecing together your family’s history and digging deeper to find out more.
FOR ALL LEVELS OF FAMILY HISTORY ENTHUSIAST
Free printables & downloads To get free copies of family tree charts, research logs and more to help you display and organise your family history research, go to familytr.ee/organisedisplay
Tip!
Growing your family tree on one of the family history websites provides a really versatile way to record your family history (allowing you to include all branches of your family tree, accessing your family history when you’re out and about with your smartphone)