How do I actually find out where I came from?

Question:

How do I actually find out where I came from?

I got the websites (familysearch.org and ancestry.com) but how am I supposed to know who is actually related to me? I'm trying to figure out my history on my dad's side (supposedly Portuguese) and he doesn't care (cuz he's old) where he came from. I do. I think it would be cool to meet some of my relatives. The only names I have is my dad and his dad. Anyone else having problems like this?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: First of all, I need to disspell a myth that familysearch.com and ancestry.com have all the records. They don't. In fact, they don't even have 10% of all of the records out there that can be found. They are a good tool in your research, but like any tool, you need to know when and how to use it. The BEST information out there is in public records and at your local library in books.

In order to start your genealogy, it is important to start with what you know. What is your goal? Are you wanting to persue just your paternal line? Start with yourself. Write down all of the information on you. Then write down your dads information. The bare MINIMUM you are trying to find on each person is their date of birth, place of birth, marriage dates and places, death dates and places, names of parents and siblings. You are probably asking why do I need the names of siblings if I don't descend from them? The answer is simple. Sometimes when documentation doesn't exist for your ancestor, you can fill in blanks by studying their siblings. For instance, a siblings obituary might list who their parents were or some other fact you may be looking for. It is important to prove each generation before going back another generation.

Once you have written down all of the information you know on your family, talk to your family members. Remember, some family members don't like to feel "interrogated" so sometimes a more gentle, conversational approach is needed. I think that your father may open up if he can see what it means to you to learn about him and his heritage. It may be that there is some hurt in his past that he doesn't want to talk about. Respect that. Tell him that you just would like to know what his parents and grandparents were like. Once you have talked to everyone you can think of, then start collecting supporting documentation to prove or disprove what you already know. The cardinal rule is to DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.

Collect birth, marriage, and death certificates, miltiary records, obituaries, cemetery records, wills, property records, newspaper articles, ships records... anything that can yield the personal information you are looking for. One thing you need to remember is that genealogy is not an "instant gratification" hobby. You are not going to find everything you are looking for overnight and there is no website that is a one stop shopping place. In fact, if you can find a clue a day into your past, then you are doing better than a lot of people! Just remember that your computer is just a tool and should in no way be your only mode of research. Good luck and welcome to the world of genealogy- one of the most satisfying, yet frustrating hobbies you will ever have.