Family tree research is the process of tracing your ancestors and building a record of your family’s history. To start, gather what you already know from relatives and home documents, then use online databases and archives to verify and expand that information step by step.
Why People Research Their Family Trees
People start genealogy for many reasons: to learn about health history, to connect with distant relatives, to understand migration patterns, or simply to satisfy curiosity about where they come from. The practice has grown dramatically as DNA testing and digitized records have made it easier than ever. What once required visits to county courthouses and church archives can now be done partly from a laptop, though the best research still combines online and offline sources.
Genealogy also offers a sense of identity. Seeing a great-great-grandparent’s name on a census form or a ship manifest can make history feel personal. For many, the goal is not just a list of names but the stories behind them—occupations, migrations, and everyday lives.
How to Begin: Start With What You Know
The first rule of family tree research is to start with yourself and work backward. Write down your own birth date and place, then your parents’, then your grandparents’. Interview older relatives before memories fade; record their stories, even if details seem trivial. Ask for names, dates, and places, but also for anecdotes that might hint at records you would not otherwise search for.
Gather documents already in your home: birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, military papers, naturalization records, old letters, and family Bibles. These provide the foundational facts and often mention relatives you did not know about. Organize what you find in a simple folder system or a genealogy software program, and always note where each piece of information came from.
Choosing a Research Method and Tools
There are two main approaches: traditional record research and genetic genealogy. Most serious researchers use both. Traditional research relies on documents like census records, vital records, church registers, and probate files. Genetic genealogy uses DNA tests to confirm relationships and break through brick walls.
For online records, the major subscription services are Ancestry, MyHeritage, and Findmypast, each with strengths in different regions. FamilySearch is free and run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; it has billions of records and a collaborative family tree. For US research, the National Archives and state archives offer many free indexes. For European research, each country has its own archives, many now online.
When choosing a DNA test, consider the company’s database size and the type of test: autosomal (for all lines), Y-DNA (for the direct paternal line), or mitochondrial (for the direct maternal line). Autosomal tests are most common and useful for finding relatives within about five generations.
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
Every genealogist hits brick walls. The most common issues include:
- Common names: John Smith or Mary Johnson appear dozens of times in the same county. Use additional clues like occupation, neighbors, or age to distinguish them.
- Missing records: Fires, floods, and wars destroyed many courthouses. Look for alternative sources like church records, tax lists, or newspaper mentions.
- Name changes and spelling variations: Immigrants often changed their names upon arrival. Search for phonetic spellings and the original language version.
- Conflicting information: Different records may give different birth years or spellings. Weigh the reliability of each source; a death certificate is less reliable for birth date than a birth record.
A common misconception is that a single record will prove a relationship. In fact, genealogists use the Genealogical Proof Standard, which requires a reasonably exhaustive search, complete citations, analysis of conflicts, and a written conclusion. For most hobbyists, this means you should not rely on a single hint from an online tree; verify with original records.
Comparing the Main Genealogy Websites
Each major site has a different focus. Ancestry has the largest collection of US records and the largest DNA database, making it a good all-around choice for Americans. MyHeritage has a strong international focus, especially in Europe, and offers useful photo-enhancement tools. Findmypast excels in British and Irish records, including the 1939 England and Wales Register. FamilySearch is free, collaborative, and has excellent search tools, but its tree is open to editing by anyone, so you must verify its entries.
For DNA, Ancestry and 23andMe have the largest databases, but MyHeritage and FamilyTreeDNA allow you to upload data from other tests for free. GEDmatch is a third-party site that lets you compare raw DNA data across companies, useful for finding matches on other platforms.
Costs and Time Commitment
Genealogy can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it. Free resources like FamilySearch, state archives, and local libraries can take you far, especially if your ancestors were in the United States after 1850. Subscription services cost roughly $20–$40 per month, but many offer free trials. DNA tests range from $59 to $199, depending on the company and the depth of analysis.
Time commitment varies. A focused weekend can yield several generations if records are readily available. Brick walls can take years. Many hobbyists spend a few hours a month, while others dedicate entire weekends. There is no wrong pace.
Privacy and Ethical Considerations
DNA testing raises privacy questions. When you take a test, you are also sharing information about your biological relatives, even those who never consented. Before testing, read the company’s privacy policy carefully; some allow law enforcement access, as seen in the Golden State Killer case, though policies have since changed. You can usually choose to opt out of matching or delete your data after testing.
For living relatives, respect their privacy. Do not publish their birth dates, addresses, or personal stories without permission. For deceased ancestors, most records are public, but be sensitive to recent deaths and family feelings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back can I trace my family tree?
For most people of European descent, you can trace back to the 1600s or 1700s with good records. Beyond that, it becomes increasingly difficult because parish registers and civil records are less common. Some lines, particularly those with noble or royal ancestors, can be traced to antiquity, but those records are often unreliable.
Is a DNA test necessary for family tree research?
No, but it helps. DNA tests can confirm relationships, break through brick walls, and connect you with distant cousins who have more records. However, DNA alone does not build a tree; you still need documents to prove relationships. Many people do both.
Why do I keep finding different birth dates for the same ancestor?
People often lied about their age or the informant (a relative or neighbor) did not know the exact date. Census records are notoriously inconsistent. The best approach is to collect multiple records and weigh the reliability; a birth certificate or baptismal record is usually more accurate than a census entry.
How do I find ancestors who immigrated to the United States?
Start with the last record you have of them in the US, then work backward. Look for naturalization papers, ship manifests, and census records that list the year of immigration. The FamilySearch wiki has guides for each port and time period. If you know the home town, search for church records in that area.
Can I research my family tree for free?
Yes, you can go quite far without paying. FamilySearch, the US National Archives, and many state and county websites offer free indexes and images. Your local library may have a subscription to Ancestry Library Edition, which is free to use in the building. Many genealogy societies offer free lookups for members.
What is a ‘brick wall’ and how do I break through it?
A brick wall is a point in your research where you cannot find records to go further back or connect to a new ancestor. To break through, try alternate spellings, search for the ancestor’s siblings, look for land records, or use DNA matches to find a common ancestor. Sometimes you need to step back and research the neighbors or the local history to find clues.
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