This article is about free family tree or least inexpensive tools to trace your family history. You may have already seen many books and websites but these activities are worth repeating.
When you are trying to take advantage of your free family history you must properly prepare. This means reviewing your family tree notes, books and websites. Then write down all the questions that you want to ask. The Personal Inquiry document, or a questionnaire of your own, is a great way to start the record keeping process. No matter which questionnaire you choose, be prepared with several blank forms so you can follow the discussion about your family history no matter what direction the search leads.
When you search your genealogy, start with basic history. Father's full name, mother's name (including her maiden name), birth dates, marriage date, where they were born, children and their birth dates are all common questions that you frequently already know. Make sure that you record any nick names or titles if they are appropriate. If you already know similar details about their parent's history record all of that as well.
Take advantage of all documents, books and websites that you can. If you have a family Bible, make sure that you search through it for genealogy details that it provides. Many families passed down this family heirloom as a record of the family from earliest times. Search for evidence of who wrote the information recorded in the books. Was it your Grandmother or your Great Grandmother or even your Great Great Grandmother. Try to analyze writing styles and even the type of pen that was used. Recognize simple things like ballpoint pens weren't available until after WWII. Even subtle details like this will help you better understand and rely on the information provided.
Don't limit your genealogy search to just books that you have at home. Review books in libraries and resource libraries in your area to uncover family members that have been recorded in books and archives that you don't have. Trace your roots through genealogy websites as well - looking for references to common family names and locations.
Once you have all the information that you know down on paper, then it's time to meet with your family and search for information that you don't know. Frequently, even just asking questions about your father's or mother's family can help you trace other family members and their parents or children that you didn't know existed. Make sure that you take good notes. Be sure to document the date that you had the discussion, the people that were there and how the information was verified or documented. Naturally, if a person was in attendance it's probably not appropriate to ask for their birth certificate. However, if the information was about a long lost relative you might want to document how the information was obtained.
Genealogy is a hobby that can last a lifetime. Your family will appreciate the effort you put in to trace your history and reveal important genealogy facts that your children and their children will marvel at in the future. Even if the information was free, it doesn't mean that you didn't have to search books, libraries and other websites to find it.
