Are you trying to find your ancestors? I start my search with the basics. Don’t be discouraged if you seem to hit a brick wall. Finding a way around these "dead ends" or roadblocks will require extra effort and resources. We have all tried to trace a particular ancestor that seems to have simply appeared and then disappeared during our search. How do you keep track of each ancestor that you uncover and minimize the ones that seem to lead to those brick walls? Like any challenge, it can be intimidating and sometimes very frustrating. Searching patiently and taking the time to properly trace and document each ancestor can be difficult.
Finding my ancestors has taken me to several continents. Being careful to analyze each clue and being very methodical and meticulous in your record keeping can make the difference between uncovering a branch of ancestors in your family's past and wasted time searching and then re-researching the same ancestor over and over again. Check out my article Ancestry - Discover Your Heritage - Leave Your Legacy to find resources that will help you trace and properly document each ancestor you uncover. Many of these search tools have been invaluable to many amateur genealogists in the past.
Trying to trace your ancestors can be very intimidating. Searching and finding each ancestor and being very careful to keep good records of each family tree, for all of your families, will make all the difference in the world. The exhilaration that I get when I find a lost branch of my family tree makes all the hours of work and effort very rewarding. Your children and their children will thank you for your efforts.
