(NAPSI)—If you’re like many Americans, you have questions about your family history. Now, genealogy experts Kenyatta Berry, Joshua Taylor and Mary Tedesco from “Genealogy Roadshow” on PBS offer some advice for researching your family’s history:
1) Collect as many oral histories as possible. Your living ancestors have information and stories to share. Interview them and record their stories.
2) Gather all the photos and documentation that you can. Items might include birth, death and marriage certificates; diplomas and other school documents; military service documents; Communion or other social, service and religious documents; and real estate documents.
3) Begin a secondary search. Fortunately, many ancestry-related documents, such as the U.S. Census, military documents, immigration lists and newspaper archives are now digitized and available on the Internet at little or no cost.
4) Consult with outside sources, such as librarians, historians, genealogy organizations and databanks to find access to resources.
5) Work backward. It’s generally easier if you begin with the present day and go back through time.
Here are two more enjoyable ways to inspire yourself and your family in your ancestry search:
1. The next time you’re planning a family reunion, make it more meaningful by incorporating a visit to a place of significance—such as a location relevant to your family history—into the festivities.
2. Watch how others go about finding their roots. Part detective story, part emotional journey, “Genealogy Roadshow” (running as of January 13 on PBS and also available at PBS.org) combines history and science to uncover the fascinating stories of diverse Americans.
Each individual featured finds that his or her past links to a larger community history, revealing the rich cultural tapestry of America. Find additional resources for tracing your own ancestry at www.PBS.org.
