ENEALOGY, or the historical study of a particular family, is becoming increasingly popular due to more and more information becoming readily available online. This field of study really is intertwined with that of the historian, as both are approached in a very similar way, and many of the same types of documents are used by each.
I personally am intrigued by the idea of learning the origins of where we came from because it helps us understand the roots of who we are. When we know the origin of the various families we are related to we are able to carry forward positive legacies and learn from past mistakes. Bellow I am going to provide links to some resources used by professional and amateur genealogists alike so you can begin the study of your own family!
________________________________________________________ Warning: Genealogy is highly addictive!!! Tapestry of Time is not responsible for your lack of time once you begin researching. __________________________________________________________________________
Ancestor Hunt - This website has links to some great resources, including newspapers, which are a great source of information. Newspapers preserve a snapshot the world your ancestor lived in.
Ancestry.com - Excellent resource, and likely the most well-known. Allows you to create a family tree online. There is a fee to access records.
Chronicling America - Historic American Newspapers - This is a national resource provided by the Library of Congress. In it you can search American newspapers from 1690-present. Newspapers are a great source of information to learn about the world your ancestor lived in.
Family Search - Free resource with great records compiled by the Mormons.
Find My Past - This is a particularly good resource for those with ancestors in the UK.
My Heritage - Excellent site with good resources. Allows you to create a family tree online. There is a fee to access records.
New York Biographical & Genealogical Society - Great organization dedicated to the study of genealogy. They provide some online resources but also do a lot of education on how to do quality research through seminars and publications.
FOUND the following podcast to be extremely helpful in my understanding of how to approach genealogy. I am including it here in hopes that you may find it useful as well, and that it can direct you as you begin your search into discovering your family's story. Good luck and enjoy!