2. The Family Tree

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A family tree gives information about yourself, your grandparents, and your great grandparents and so on. Usually, it covers four or five generations including yourself. Begin your research by completing this chart, and you will be able to identify information that you already know.  It is very helpful to keep a family tree on hand for quick reference. This visual will help you tell what information is missing about your ancestor.

When recording names, use the maiden name for females. The proper way to record a date would be first the day, then the month, then the year.

For example: 5 November 1878.

Places are recorded by listing the city, state, county/parish, then the country without abbreviating.

For example: Columbia, Richland, South Carolina, United States.  This is an important document to take with you when you visit the archives, local family history center, or collaborate with family members.


Do not worry about ancestors or details which you are lacking at this stage. Your journey has just begun!

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1. The Oral History Interview:

I found this tree in a beautiful park not far from my house. It's branches reach so far out, and they are very close to the ground. I could not walk under them. I wondered what this tree would say if it could talk.

My thoughts turned to the people in our lives who have been around long enough to give a perspective on life which we could find useful. They can help us to understand a bit more about who we are and what life is all about.

We just need to stop long enough to ask the right questions and listen. I have been very fortunate to have been able to formally interview a few such people. I have been able to find clues which helped me to discover the names and whereabouts of ancestors. I have also been blessed to discover how much I have in common with my forbears. Every time I get stuck in my research, I find someone to interview. I ask about names, dates, and places, but I also let the person I interview tell their stories. I record and transcribe these interviews because I find myself referring to them many times.

Even when my subject insists he or she does not remember much, they eventually are able to recall important details sometimes days later. If you do not know where to start or even why you should start, interviewing your oldest living relatives is the first and most important step. Remember that even second interviews have been successful in uncovering more information.

Need help with what to ask? Visit the following site:

50 Questions For Family History Interviews


Record from your computer/laptop:

My Favorite Digital Recording Device

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