A Beginner's Guide to Building Your First Family Tree
A practical starting point for documenting names, relationships, stories, and family branches.
Start with what is known
Begin with yourself, parents, siblings, grandparents, and close relatives. Add names, alternate names, places, approximate dates, and notes about how each person is connected.
Interview before researching
Family elders often know names, migrations, marriages, conflicts, and branches that are not recorded anywhere else. Schedule focused conversations and ask permission before recording or sharing sensitive details.
Keep evidence close to the tree
Photos, certificates, funeral programs, land documents, and letters help future relatives understand why a relationship or date was added. A tree becomes stronger when stories and records sit beside the people they describe.