When beginning to learn about your genealogy the best place to start is in your home for family research materials!
There are lots of programs, websites, and places to go to collect information but to start building the foundation begin with what you have.
The place you live or family lives is the most easily accessible place for finding documents and resources.
So in this blog article I will share the top 4 things in your home that will help with your family research!
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Paperwork
Okay now we all have a ton of paper in our house, apartment, office, storage and any where you can think of.
It may be difficult to know what to save and what to get rid of, but in terms of paper connected to our ancestors, I recommend keeping them.
Documents such as:
- birth certificate
- graduation diploma
- marriage certificate
- death record
- burial information
- obituaries
- newspaper clippings
- health records
- and everything in between!
All of these pieces of paper tell key details about our ancestors lives.
For example, their full legal name, where they lived, who they married, what their occupation and hobbies were and important health information.
It all tells a story to lay the ground work of your family research and it’s sitting right in your home.
|Related Article: Tips for Organizing Paperwork
Postcards
Postcards used to be a very popular and common way for friends and family to correspond with one another.
Whether it be from their homes or while traveling.
While they just look like small pieces of cardstock, they contain important information like:
- Name (s)
- Addresses / Residence / Travel
- Date
- Connection between people (relative, friend, etc.)
- personal message
- picture of location, scenery, or people
These details help share a little insight in to a special moment of your ancestors’ lives!
|Related Article: Where to Find Old Postcards
Organizing Records in Your Home for Family Research
Just sharing two helpful products from Amazon to organize your family tree research and track any personal notes!
Click the affiliate links to see the products on Amazon:
Our Family Tree Book: Peter Pauper Press
|Related Article: Gift Guide for Genealogy Enthusiasts
Bible
A common, overlooked item most likely in many homes is a bible.
Sometimes people write details in the front of their bible about family milestones or passings.
Such as when a baby was born, a couple got married, or the passing of a loved one.
Cards, notes, and mementos like postcards may also be tucked in to pages.
Lost Media
Okay so for lost media, I’m referring to ways of documenting life that have changed over time and are no longer commonly used.
For example: slides, VHS tapes, and cassette tapes.
These types of files, if you will, capture special memories that are probably tucked away in a box in a closet and not viewed or enjoyed.
It is always good to digitize these items to have extra copies but in case you are unable to do that at this time, keep a record in a notebook of what items you have that to stay organized for the future.
If you are interested in digitizing slides and negative photo strips, here is the Epson scanner I have personal experience using for my family photos:
*affiliate link:
|Related Article: 5 Things to Find on Newspapers.com
Conclusion
Starting your family research can seem like a daunting task but I hope this article helps you with beginning the process without even leaving your home.
One little piece of paper can open many doors and provide clues in to the lives of your ancestors.
Each document tells the story of your genealogy and I wish you all the best on building your family tree!
For more helpful resources and articles, click here:
|Related Articles: Genealogy Research Tips
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Great tips!
Thank you!