I have recently started to try and find out about my family history. Unfortunately my family didn't share much of it when they were alive. I think there were too many bad feelings. If anyone knows how I would get started that would be great. I just have my grandfathers name to start with. Can it even be done?

GeneGenie

You're welcome. If you want to get into this, I strongly suggest you get software to document your findings. It's easy to use and free. You can download it from here.

kattygirl

Thank you. One last question though. I have been trying to find out more information on people. I can now find out when someone was born and died and poss who their spouse was but how do I go about finding out sibling or parental names. How do I find out country records? Do I need to go through one of the pay sites?

GeneGenie

For the US, the Censuses are usually my first place to check. While you do have to pay to have access to them all, and nicely indexed online, you can often find them on locality websites.

All the censuses after 1850 show every family member.

For example, there's a website I use alot that is all related to the New River area of Virginia/North Carolina. There they have several area censuses transcribed:
census - Google Search

Cyndi's list is a good place to look for locality websites. Also, most counties have Genealogical Societies, some of which publish great stuff...so google ________ county genealogical society to find ones in areas your rooting around in. Other good sources in the Sticky. Be sure to check that out...especially for the 1880 Census which is free and indexed.

Remember, though: Counties were added alot - and boundaries changed - from census to census...so when searching them, be sure to keep in mind that what county your ancestor lived in may have been called something else in an early census.

For outside of the US research, googling is your best bet for freebie info. You'd be surprised what search combinations of last name city county area country genealogy will net you.

Now, have you done this yet? I'm not psychic, but I do know: If you dig into your family tree and don't, you will soon wish you did.

It's very easy to learn - and I'm happy to help you get started using it if you find the directions daunting. It will make the whole thing so much more enjoyable and manageable.

GeneGenie

PS, about paying for stuff. In my experience, a huge portion of what's at Ancestry.com, for example, can be found for free if you dig deep enough. It's just nice to have it all in one place.

kattygirl

I think I am going to go through Ancestry since I am not sooo good at the digging. Thank you for your help. I am sending out emails to family members in hopes someone has some information I don't.

GeneGenie

Good. "Interviewing" living family members is the best place to start. First hand accounts are often more accurate than records like censuses and other records.