How to Search My Family Tree

Design a record-keeping system. The pedigree chart is the most common type of family tree. This bracket system allows you to track your direct ancestors and is commonly used for up to five or six generations. Start new charts when a branch reaches the end of the original. Use family record sheets to record your ancestor's children in an orderly manner. Online genealogical sites often allow you to store a digital version of your family tree with pedigree charts and family group sheets. Consider using both digital and hard copy formats. See the Resources section of this article for links to templates and an online generator. An audio recorder and notebook are also beneficial for organizing information that does not fit on a tree.

Record the information you already know. For each person on your family tree you will want at minimum the full name, date of birth and, if applicable, date of death. Marriage dates and locations are sometimes included also.

Interview your family members for more information. Someone in your family may already have researched the family tree. Ask to borrow family records. Family Bibles often contain family trees. Photographs, letters and legal records provide additional clues and interesting stories about the people on your tree.

Research various online sources. Marcia D. Yannizze Melnyk, author of "Family History 101," recommends credible free and subscription websites. These websites will allow you access to databases such as the Social Security Death Index, United States Census Records and military registration records. In addition, family trees are posted by site members. You may be lucky and find an already completed family tree. Contact the creator to learn more about your family. Suggested free sites include http://www.usgenweb.org, http://www.rootsweb.com and http://www.familysearch.org. Subscription websites such as http://www.ancestry.com and http://www.familytreemaker.com usually offer free trials. In addition, check to see whether your library has a subscription you can use.

Double-check information. It is best to always have multiple sources for the ancestors on your family tree. Records often contain mistakes. Also, transcribed materials on the Internet or another person's research are particularly susceptible to error. Obtain your own copy of family records to enhance your family tree.