Family Tree

[Caz Bush]

Where do you start to trace your family tree?

[Ewood27]

First, ask your elderly relatives. Once they're gone, so are all their memories - information it would take years to look up, personal details you won't find in official records which brings the people to life. Write everything down and don't throw any of it away. Years later you'll find where the pieces of the jigsaw fit. Then you start working backwards through your parents' and grandparents' birth, marriage and death certificates (BMD) and census records (I assume you are in the UK). Indexes of BMD records can be found at the Family Record Centre in London and, among other places, Family History Centres of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), normally referred to as LDS. The 1881 census is particularly useful as it has been indexed. That's just a starter. You could do a lot worse than join your local Family History Society. You'll find other members very willing to help a newcomer.

[Nellie2]

I would recommend this site: . . http://www.cyndislist.com/ . . . It has links to EVERYTHING including good "how to".

[whiskygalore]

If you live in London, I can't recommend the library at the British Museum enough! You pay to become a member (nominal fee), but it has the best resources you can lay your hands on, fab staff & gorgeous surroundings to boot.