2.  Ask the Family

You may be surprised to learn that one of your relatives may have already done some genealogical research before - this could save you a lot of time and money, especially if they have already obtained the official documents to verify the information.

You should exhaust your own family's "knowledge base" of relatives. In ten years the archives will still be here, but Aunt Bessie might not be.

You may find out useful information by asking elderly relatives about what they remember. It is helpful to make a list of questions before you start to help you focus on what information you are trying to find out. At this point, you may also wish to record oral histories with either a camcorder or cassette player.

Search for old family pictures. letters, or even a family bible that has been past down from generation to generation which can give you many clues to the past. Ask your relatives if you can poke around in the basement you never know what you may find.

And, you can always ask a family member to take a Dna Test