help?

[Norskegirl]

I just joined rootschat, maybe a mistake beacause I can't find hide nor hair (hare) any clue how to find my family!

[Erato]

Don't panic; people will help you.  But they need some information to work with.  What do you already know in terms of names, places, and dates?  Don't mention the names of living people, though.

[kevinf2349]

Welcome to RootsChat.

I assure you it won't be a mistake but what I would recommend is to start with whatever you already know and work backwards from there. We are not allowed to give details on living people but if you know that a particular person has passed away then I am sure people will be able to assist you.

My recommendation would be to start by giving people a name, location and approxiate date of someone in your family line (grandparent, great aunt, great grandparent) and you will be amazed at what people can find out for you.

I would also recommend reading the FAQS on this site as they point to many other useful sites for searches can be made and other information can be found.

Keep a positive attitude and remember to write as much information as you can gather. Getting organised is really going to help you. Information has a way of getting lost otherwise

Kevin  

[Manchester Rambler]

Hello, and welcome to RootsChat!

This topic gives some suggestions for starting to research your family:

Getting Started / Beginners Links

Then if you have any specific questions, just post them here, and you will find lots of people willing to help!

Good hunting!

Rambler   

[linefinder]

Hi Norskegirl I have been trying to follow my family tree for just two months and have got back to 1776.  It’s very absorbing and interesting and sometimes it feels as if you are being driven up a tree but when you find a connection it’s a great feeling of achievement.  One thing I think would have made it easier would be to have asked older relations questions and make notes.  Better still make up a questionnaire so you do not forget a question.  Some of the questions I would have asked would have been:-
Your full name………………..…………………
Date/place of birth………………………………
Residence……………………………………….
Then your fathers details as above.
Your mother’s details including maiden name.
Then the same for your grandparents include occupations and if deceased when and where.
Do this with all the older relations you can.
Other questions to ask:-
What do you know about the families surname and mother’s maiden name.
Are there traditional first, middle or nicknames.
Do you know your grandfather’s occupation was he in the forces.
Are there any notorious characters, famous people in the family.
Do you know of anyone in the family working on the family history.
Does anyone have any old photographs or documents of the family.
Leave a space on the questionnaire for snippets of information you might get whilst talking about your family.
Do not to forget to think of other ways surnames could be spelt.
As you can see questions and record keeping is not vital but it will help as you go on with your quest.  Keep all this information in one folder and you will be well on your way.
Writing all this down it seemed quite daunting but once you have some sort of questionnaire you can print of and you are ready to go it can be fun.

Enjoy Ken

 
     

[jess5athome]

Hi Norsekegirl, welcome to rootschat.....................Don`t panic, take a deep breath and more importantly take your time.
Read what the members are telling you as both they and the advice given by them on here is second to none, I have only been researching my family tree/history for a few months and would recommend anyone to join rootschat, the help and advice given to me has been absolutely amazing.
Good luck with your research and enjoy.