Getting started is easier than you think. You don't need to be an experienced genealogist or spend money on expensive subscriptions. A little curiosity is all it takes!

Start with your own family

Your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles may know more than you realize. Ask them about family names, birthplaces, important dates and old family stories. Look for photographs, letters, family documents or even an old family tree hidden away in a drawer. These can be very good starting points.

Explore historical records online

Many archives around the world have digitized their historical records, making them freely accessible online. Birth, marriage and death records, old census documents and other historical sources can help you trace your family back through the generations. Sometimes, a single discovery can open the door to an entirely new branch of your family tree!

Discover existing family trees

You may not be the first person researching your family! Other relatives, including distant cousins you've never met, may already have created family trees that include some of your ancestors. Exploring these trees can give you a head start and help you discover connections you never knew existed. Just remember to verify the information whenever possible.

A great place to start: FamilySearch.org

FamilySearch is a completely free, worldwide genealogy website with millions of historical records and a vast shared family tree. You can search for your ancestors, discover family connections and gradually build your own family history. It's an excellent starting point, whether you're just curious or ready to explore several generations into the past.

Turn your discoveries into something beautiful

Before you know it, you could have uncovered five, six or even more generations of ancestors. Imagine seeing all those names, dates and family connections brought together in one beautiful overview!