When we think of tracing our family history, very often surnames are what come to mind first. We tend to think of our last name and wonder what kind of a history our family had with that surname, where it came from. It is certainly true that surnames are surrounded with history and maybe a little mystery. Surnames were first used by those people who gathered in large numbers to engage in trade because there was a need for more specific identification. Over time, the use of surnames filtered down to the agricultural communities, which had less of a need for such extensive identification of their people. Surnames generally stem from one of four... 

Do you know where your ancestors lived? Do you know how your family came to be where they are? Have they lived in the same place for a long time? What kind of a life did your ancestors lead? These are all questions most of us have asked ourselves at one time or another. These questions stem from our need to feel a sense of history and a sense of where we have come from, a sense of who we are. While tracing your family tree is a hobby, it is possibly the most meaningful hobby in which you will ever engage. It is not an inexpensive hobby. Although there are free resources that you can take advantage of to accomplish the goal of tracing your family... 

This is a question many of us ask ourselves. Having a sense of history and belonging is important to people. Knowing where we came from, who our ancestors were, helps us get in touch with our own identity. You may find out that you came from a family of survivors. Maybe your family was once very wealthy, or part of nobility. Maybe your family led an honest life as simple peasants. Whatever the case, it is incredibly interesting to peak into the past and get a glimpse of the people who helped make us who we are today. How do you go about such a daunting task as researching your family tree? Oddly enough, to find out about the past you need to begin... 

Vital records are an invaluable source of information when you are on the genealogy journey. These records include birth, death, and marriage certificates and adoption records. While it may be tempting to start your records search with the birth of a family member, it is actually better to begin with the death certificate simply because it is the most recent record of that person and it may be the only record. There may not be any birth or marriage records for the ancestor you are researching. This means that it may be the most accessible and the most accurate document you can find for that person. You may also need a copy of the death certificate... 

Genealogy, or researching the history of your family, can be a fun and valuable hobby. You will get the opportunity to learn where you come from, what your family history is all about, and if anyone in your family was involved in historical events. The hardest part of getting into genealogy for a lot of people is getting started. They just don’t seem to have direction or an idea of how to get going with the search. The best way to get started is actually by getting four things set so that the process is easier. Make sure you have a plan, keep track of a goal, have wide goals, and develop a set of methods that suits you best. The best first step... 

Have you ever wished you could ask your Great-Uncle George how soldiers felt about World War I or your Great-Aunt Georgina how she weathered the Great Depression? Or perhaps you rue the loss of your Grandmother Gretel’s recipe for delicious German strudel? Family traditions and lore can be completely lost in a generation or two if families do not actively take steps to preserve their history. A family history is a legacy, and preserving your legacy for your grandchildren and great-grandchildren can be an invaluable gift. You don’t have to sit down and write out a laborious record of your family history, however, in order to preserve your legacy,...