Can you trace to the origin of a family?

Family tree oriigin

Firstly, let’s look at that by definition. Origin means the point or place where something begins, arises, or is derived.

So, can you trace to the origin of a family? No, would be my answer; as mankind commenced without the ability to leave irrefutable records. Irrefutable; meaning impossible to deny or disprove.

I have been tracing and documenting my family tree for over three decades and to me, correct information is paramount.

There are many ways to approach a family tree, one would be to include all branches – but please be warned you will soon become overwhelmed with 3rd cousin once removed. A direct line to your ancestors on your Paternal side (Father) and Maternal side (Mother) is the most relevant to you.

Documented notes of this information are especially important. I will attach a FREE printable family record sheet. Write notes as you gather the information, you will need them later.

My suggestion is that you start with your living family tree inclusive of Parents, Siblings, Aunts, Uncles and 1st cousins; this is a great conversation starter with your extended family.

You will need to decide how detailed you wish to proceed. I would recommend the basics first.

First name, Middle Name, Surname, Date of Birth (Place if you wish – and since your asking the questions, you may as well record this information), Date of Death.

Attached is the link to Ancestry’s printable sheet. If you can, save it to a computer. It is a PDF document, so you can go in and click where you want to type, fill out and print.

https://family-group-sheet.pdffiller.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw4KD0BRBUEiwA7MFNTeH3yGe31kz8Fy5YgFPkuksxIynJOjfAIXgkBYxDXELMztQ3EOMPrRoC9B4QAvD_BwE

If you are lucky enough to still have Grandparents around, call them, acquire as much information as possible about them, their parents, their grandparents. Otherwise, really try to engage your parents. There have been a couple of family historians pass away in my family and when that happens, I mourn them and the information that goes with them.

After you have detailed your living family tree, you start working backward.

I imagine you have all heard about Ancestry, but it doesn’t end there, following are the links to it and other sites I use, and you can have FREE access:

https://www.ancestry.com/

http://myhertigage.com/

https://www.familysearch.org/en/

https://www.findmypast.com/

https://www.naa.gov.au/explore-collection/search-people/researching-your-family

For a fee, you can gain further information, photos, birth/death/marriages records, and link with other members. My advice would be to create your family trees in your preferred site with the information you know to be correct before you start delving deeper.

Once you delve deeper, please do try to verify the information before adding it to your tree. Some people are misinformed and there are a small minority of people that would like to lead you astray just for sport.

I hope you have found this interesting.

Please love and comment below with any feedback or questions you would like me to follow up.

Thank you. x