Family ancestry?

Question:

Family ancestry?

I wanted to learn more about my family ancestry. Anyone know of any good links? Any free sites?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Because the list can be a bit extensive, let me make some quick suggestions.

Buy software ~ I prefer Family Tree Maker over some others I have used

Talk with older members in your family and video or record your discussions with them. Many of the older people are intimidated by recorders and videos so try to relax them and if possible, have someone with you so you can ask the questions while they record, that way you distract the person from what the other person is doing as you take them down memory lane. Many times they don't remember when you first talk with them so be sure and visit a few more times, as things will come back to them after you leave.

Go to www.rootsweb.com and enter an ancestors name in the RootsWeb area, then click on Search. When you get to the second page, click on WorldConnect. Many do not verify their information before listing is so make sure you document what you find and use and if you aren't sure, list that in your answers on your paperwork.

Click on the Message Board on RootsWeb and you can see questions others have posted and sometimes find family connections that way. You can also post questions and see if anyone can help you.

Ancestry.com is similiar to Roots Web but you have to pay and it is very expensive now so I no longer go to their site.

You can also go to Google and type in something like "Jones Family Tree" and see what comes up. Then click on Images and see what you get that way.

Almost forgot ~ be sure and get copies of any and all pictures you can so make sure you have a good digital camera, something we didn't have 25 years ago when I got into this so what I did was very expensive because I had to have negatives made and then copies made for me and my cousins. Many people didn't want to let their pictures go so we missed out on alot of them ~ today the digital helps overcome those problems.