Getting Started With Your Family Tree: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
If you’re ready to begin your genealogy journey, the best way is to start simple and build steadily. Here are 7 beginner-friendly steps to get you going:
7/3/20251 min read
1. Start With Yourself
Begin your family tree with what you already know—your full name, birth date, birthplace, and immediate family. This becomes your anchor point.
2. Work Backwards One Generation at a Time
Instead of jumping to great-great-grandparents, move step by step. Verify your parents, then grandparents, then great-grandparents. This keeps your research accurate and organized.
3. Interview Relatives
Ask older relatives for names, dates, and stories. Don’t just record facts—capture memories, traditions, and anecdotes. These are often the most valuable parts of family history.
4. Gather Family Documents and Photos
Search for:
Birth, marriage, and death certificates
Family Bibles
Old letters and journals
School, military, or immigration records
Photographs (label them if you can!)
5. Use Online Genealogy Databases
Free and paid sites like FamilySearch, Ancestry, Findmypast, and MyHeritage are goldmines for census records, immigration papers, and digitized documents. Start broad, then refine.
6. Verify Your Sources
Don’t rely on one record alone. Cross-check dates and names with multiple sources. Remember the Golden Rule: document your sources—even if they conflict.
7. Stay Organized
Keep track of your research with:
A genealogy software program (like RootsMagic or Legacy)
Online trees (Ancestry, FamilySearch)
Old-fashioned binders or notebooks
✨ Pro Tip: Genealogy is a marathon, not a sprint. Small, steady steps add up to big discoveries. Celebrate each ancestor you uncover along the way!