Author Rachel L. Swarns's book, American Tapestry, about the multi-racial ancestry of First Lady Michelle Obama includes a major revelation: the identity of Mrs. Obama's white great-great-great grandfather, a man who remained hidden for more than a century in the First Lady's family tree.
While the book's focus is on the ancestry of Mrs. Obama, Swarns says it's also a reminder to start researching your own roots. "You should do it for yourself, your children, your parents," she says. "It gives you a sense of your place and your family's place in America's history. You never know what you'll find." Here, Swarns shares her tips for the best place to start uncovering the details of your own family tree.
1. Interview your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles — all of your oldest relatives.
With their help, you can begin to put together what is known about your family. Important details to ask about? Names (including maiden names of female relatives), dates of birth and death, marriage, and military service.
2. Conduct more interviews, but this time dig deeper.
Use your video camera or tape recorder to document any additional conversations. Talk to your oldest relatives to find out everything they know about your family's origins. Ask them what they remember most about their childhood and about the key moments in their lives. You should also find out if your family emigrated from one country to another, or even one state to another. We suggest downloading How to Trace Your Immigrant Ancestors.
3. Create a diagram of your family tree.
Make sure to include the names and dates that you've collected. FamilyTreeMaker.com and Lineages.com are great websites to use to get started on this.
4. Collect the family records.
Gather copies of any records that your family has: birth certificates, marriage licenses, baptismal certificates, death certificates. You can use these to help confirm the accuracy of the family stories.
5. Hit up official agencies.
If you live in the area where your parents or grandparents lived, check out what records are available from city agencies, courthouses, and local libraries. You can often find marriage, birth and death records, as well as old wills and property records.
6. Find your closest regional office of the National Archives.
There, you'll be able to search for your ancestors in the census, uncover immigration and military records, and more. Bonus: The National Archives also offers tips on how to get started researching your family tree, free online access to some historical records, and a calendar of genealogical workshops around the country.
7. Head online.
Think about using an online genealogical service, which provides access to historical records on your computer. For example, FamilySearch.org offers free online access to historical records, including birth, marriage, death, probate, land, military, and more from the United States and other countries. Ancestry.com is another great site — paid subscribers get access to genealogical records from all over the world.
8. Consider DNA testing.
There are several companies that can help you find out more about your ancestry and your ethnic heritage this way. Two sites worth checking out? FamilyTreeDNA.com and 23andMe.com.
9. Share your findings.
Most important, get together with the members of your family and let them know what you've uncovered. You might inspire others to join in your search.
TELL US: Have you researched your family before?
