You have decided to start researching who your ancestors are and where they all come from. Excellent! I applaud you for the courage to tackle one of the biggest and never-ending tasks you will take on.
Researching your genealogy can be tricky and frustrating at times, everybody on this journey comes across many a “brick wall” that needs extra love and attention to decipher. To put the information in its right path within your own personal maze of tangled ancestor roots.
Each ancestor takes you down a new turn in the maze and slowly you inch towards the centre of your family history labyrinth.
Traveling down the path of kinfolk research can be so rewarding when you uncover an exciting adventure your ancestor may have been on, or finally, find out who your great grandmother’s father was and where they lived, can be so exciting.
I believe that searching for your family history and putting your tree together does not have to be overwhelming. All it takes is a plan, some genealogy tools, and the knowledge and commitment to using those tools to assist you in your journey.
I believe that searching for your family history and putting your tree together does not have to be overwhelming. All it takes is a plan, some genealogy tools, and the knowledge and commitment to using those tools to assist you in your journey.
I grew up attending family gatherings at Christmas and Birthdays and never thought to listen to the stories the family told around the BBQ or at the dinner table over that Christmas feast.
We all enjoyed the festivities and us kids would all run off and play, not having a care in the world about the future or what stories and key information would be lost as the older generations of our family passed away or couldn’t recall their memories anymore.
When I began my research I was filled with deep regrets about what will never be passed down and is now lost in time, my grandparents had already passed away, a place in my labyrinth that becomes a dead end and a new path must be taken.
So if you have started this journey before your older kinfolk have passed away, I implore you to start by asking them questions and listening to their stories, as this can help you piece things together when you reach the tricky bits.
You will make mistakes in your research, but that’s ok if you document your mistakes, as well as your wins you won’t make the same mistakes again, it’s all a learning journey and there is no race to piece it all together, the journey is the fun, not the finish line.
Enjoy the journey through the labyrinth with all its twists and turns.
Happy Researching My Kinfolk Friends.