Remember when you were a child, you asked your mom or dad, grandparents, uncles, and aunts to tell you the same family story over and over again? Then, you became a teenager and may not have wanted to hear how far Great-Great-Great Grandpa Joe had to walk to school for the umpteenth time. Now, you are all grown up and realize how important those stories truly are to your family.

As time passes, we may be losing our past as relatives grow older and memories are forgotten. Some memories can never be retrieved and are lost forever but you can make a difference for your future generations by capturing your family history through conducting research, compiling memorabilia, and putting it all together. The process of archiving your family history can be overwhelming but with patience, organization, and following certain steps you can create a priceless treasure your family will enjoy for generations to come.

Step #1
Create a rough draft of your family tree as you know it. Outline who and what you know going back as far as you can from memory. For each relative, you want to list personal information such as the following:

• Name
• Members of their family
• Important events with dates and places (i.e. birth, marriage, death)
• Occupation

Forms and computer programs are available for download through various internet sites. Using a form designed for recording family history makes the task of organizing and maintaining much less complicated. Basic forms can be printed and written if preferred. Two recommended forms available for free download include:

• Pedigree Chart – This chart is formatted to help you list your pedigree (your parents, grandparents, great grandparents, etc.)
• Family Group Record – With this form, you can list an entire family along with their personal information on each record.

If you would rather store records on a computer, try Ancestry.com for family history computer programs and information. One benefit of storing information on the computer is that it allows you to easily update the records as you uncover more information. If you are keeping handwritten records, consider storing and organizing them in a binder so none of your research is misplaced.

After deciding how you want to record the information, begin filling out the forms. It is often easiest to complete a form for your present family and work your way back to your parents, grandparents, etc. Following this method, you can quickly see what you do know and where you need to start to fill in missing information.

Step #2
Look through any memorabilia you have available. Sorting through these keepsakes, may help you add more information to the family tree you started. Helpful sources of information can include birth, marriage, and death certificates, obituaries, family bibles, wedding announcements, family registers, and photographs. Sorting the memorabilia can also spark questions you may want to ask particular relatives during the interview process.

If you have old items that may be deteriorating, try scanning the items onto your computer and storing the items in an archival safe manner. You can then view the items for quick reference or for a project without causing damage. For more information on how to preserve your items, visit The Scrapbook Preservation Society at http://scrapbookpreservationsociety.com.

To keep as organized as possible, it is helpful to record where you found the information. If you found a birth date on a certificate, record that information on either the computer or in the binder you are using to store your compiled information. This helps you quickly reference your lists if necessary and allows others to see where the information came from. Several of the downloadable record forms and computer programs have sections dedicated to Notes or Sources to keep your work organized.

The next step will be preparing for the family interview process. This can be the lengthiest yet most rewarding part of compiling your family history. Here is where you have the opportunity to sit down and relive those great memories you loved hearing as a child. Join us next month as we give you the tools necessary to conduct successful interviews and help you continue your journey into discovering the story of your family.