How to Trace Your Family Tree: The Ultimate Guide to Genealogy

How to Trace Your Family Tree: The Ultimate Guide to Genealogy

If you’re looking for a way to learn more about your family history, genealogy is definitely the pursuit for you! When you trace your family tree you are entering a fascinating field that can tell you everything from where your ancestors came from to what they did for a living. It can also provide insights into the social and cultural changes that have taken place over time. In this guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about tracing your ancestry and discovering your roots. So whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been researching your family tree for years, this guide has something for everyone!

I want to trace my family tree, is it the same as Genealogy and why should we care about it?

Yes, Genealogy is the study of family history and can be traced back to the 18th century. When you trace your family tree you will learn about your ancestors and where you come from. By understanding the past, you can gain a better understanding of yourself and the world around us. Genealogy can also provide insights into social and cultural changes that have taken place over time.

How do I start researching my family tree?

There are many ways to start researching your family history. One way is, to begin with, yourself and work your way backwards. You can gather information from birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, census records, immigration records, church records, and property records.

Another way to research your ancestry is to start with your grandparents or great-grandparents and work your way back if they are still alive, noting all the details they remember. Alternatively, start with your great-grandparents and then work forwards. This can be especially helpful if you don’t have much information about your immediate family. Whichever approach you choose, the important thing is to get started!

What are some helpful resources for genealogy research?

There are a number of resources available to help you with your genealogy research. FamilySearch is a free website that provides access to millions of records, including census data, birth and death records, marriage records, and more. Ancestry.com is another popular website that offers paid subscriptions for access to billions of records. Local libraries and historical societies can also be a wealth of information for genealogy research.

“What are some common misconceptions about genealogy?”

One common misconception about genealogy is that it’s only for people with a lot of free time on their hands. However, this isn’t the case! Genealogy can be pursued as little or as much as you like. Another common misconception is that genealogy is only for old people. This may have been true in the past, but with the advent of online resources, anyone can get started with genealogy research. So whatever your age or interest level, there’s no excuse not to give it a try!

“What are some common mistakes people make when researching their family history?”

One common mistake people make when researching their family history is assuming that all records will be available online. However, this is often not the case. Many records, especially older ones, are only available in physical format. Another mistake people make is failing to plan ahead. Family history research can take months or even years to complete, so it’s important to set realistic goals and timelines for your project. Finally, another mistake people make is not being aware of privacy issues. When requesting information from government agencies or other organizations, be sure to include a statement indicating that you understand and will respect the privacy of the individuals involved.

“What are some tips for getting started with genealogy, as I want to trace my family history?”

If you’re just getting started with genealogy, there are a few things you can do to get off on the right foot. First, talk to your family members and see if they have any information about your ancestors. This can be a great starting point for your research. Second, take some time to familiarize yourself with the different types of records available. This will help you know where to look for information about your ancestors. Finally, consider joining a local genealogy society or attending a workshop on family history research. These resources can provide valuable guidance as you begin your journey into your family’s past.

“What are some of the most common questions people have about genealogy?”

Some of the most common questions people have about genealogy include: How do I get started? What records are available? Where can I find records? How do I use the records? and What do I do with the information I find? These are all great questions, and luckily there are plenty of resources available to help you find answers. FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, and local libraries and historical societies are all good places to start your research.

“How can genealogy help us understand our past and ourselves better?”

Genealogy can help us understand our past and ourselves better in a number of ways. First, it can provide important insights into our family history. Second, it can help us understand how different aspects of society have evolved over time. Finally, by exploring our family tree, we can learn fascinating new things about the world around us. So if you’re interested in your history, genealogy is definitely worth checking out!

“What are some of the most interesting things you have learned from researching your family history?”

One of the most interesting things you can learn about your family is why they did the things they did. For example, you could discover that your great-great-grandmother was an Irish immigrant who went to America during the potato famine in the 1840s. You could have always known that you had Irish ancestors, but had no understanding of the circumstances that made her immigrate. Learning about your family’s history will give you a greater appreciation for their courage and perseverance in the face of adversity.

“What are some of the benefits of researching your family history?”

Some of the benefits of researching your family history include:

  • discovering who you are and where you come from;
  • learning about different aspects of society;
  • understanding how the world has evolved over time; and
  • gaining a greater appreciation for your ancestors. So if you’re interested in your history, genealogy is definitely worth checking out! Thanks for reading! I hope this article has inspired you to start tracing your own ancestors. Remember, there’s no better time than the present to begin your journey into your family’s past!

In conclusion: Trace Your Family Tree

Thank you for taking the time to read this post on how to trace your family tree. I hope that after reading it, you will want to start tracing your own ancestors. There is no better moment than now to begin your family’s history journey! FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, and local libraries and historical societies are all excellent places to begin your research. One of the most interesting things I have learned from researching my family history is that my great-great-grandfather was an Irish immigrant who came to America during the potato famine in the 1840s. I had always known that my ancestors were Irish, but I had never known the circumstances under which they came to America. Learning about my family’s history has given me a greater appreciation for their courage and perseverance in the face of adversity. So if you’re interested in your history, genealogy is definitely worth checking out!

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Do you love binge-watching television? Here’s why you’re not alone and some great shows to get you hooked on

Do you love binge-watching television? Here’s why you’re not alone and some great shows to get you hooked on

I am a massive fan of Binge-Watching television, and I think it must have something to do with the fact I like to be in control. However, I can justify my reasoning as I love to get involved in the show and the story’s characters. I have my idea of what they should do and how each character will react in any situation. I like the predictability of the show’s premise, and it is comforting. When I work all day, I want entertainment. I don’t want to overthink, and I don’t want to be yelled at or told what I should think or do.

Take, for example, Supernatural. I have watched this series 15 times. I know this because there have been 15 seasons. The first five seasons were ‘page turners’. As the last episode of the previous season started, the next DVD was ready to be inserted into the DVD player. 

Let’s Talk Supernatural Numbers

Supernatural had 15 seasons, and each season had circa 22 episodes. That is 320 episodes in total. Every time a new season was released, I had to return to the first season and start afresh. That is fine until you get to season 13 onwards. It means that it takes months to get to the new season. 

The loss in Binge-Watching

Binge-Watching television is now the new norm
Binge-Watching television

The problem with binge-watching is that you suffer a loss once the show is over. First, there is Shock and Denial. Why did the show finish? Will they make another one? What are the actors doing now? What do I watch now? You then spend a few hours on google researching the actors, watching the bloopers and finally accepting the show is over. That empty feeling of what now finally kicks in. Goodbye, my friends. You never knew me, but I knew you, and I miss you already. The DVD goes back into the cupboard.

Looking for a new show

Then there is the pain of looking for something else to watch. It’s difficult. TV is so dull. It’s either news, game shows or reality TV. I don’t think I have watched regular television in years. If there is something I may like, I tend to record the show so I can watch what I want and fast forward the bits I don’t wish to watch. Investing in a new series is tricky as you know the investment you are about to put into the show is enormous.

After supernatural, I selected Criminal Minds. I watched three seasons in a row. I couldn’t face another episode of the brutal murder of a woman just because a man had a plan to do as much damage to another human being as possible. It made me feel very sad, and my worldview temporarily changed. I watched the entire series of The Big Bang Theory to wipe Criminal Minds from my memory.

Mistakes when selecting the Wrong Show

Choosing the wrong series is devastating, as selecting a show will be a significant part of your viewing life for months. Picking the wrong show makes you wish for the previous one to start over. The show becomes a friend; the characters are best mates and comfortable.

I moved on from Supernatural and The Big Bang Theory to Midsummer Murders. Twenty-two seasons, that’s 129 and today, I caught myself referring to the show as ‘Our normal reliable show’. I am on season 22, so there are only a few episodes left, and then the search will start over. Once you find a suitable series, it’s like welcoming a close friend over for tea. 

How to select a new show

I have several criteria when selecting a new TV show; the first is that the women have to be intelligent, independent and will never trip over a twig running away. I can’t bear pathetic women on TV shows.

Binge-watching TV is slowly becoming the new normal TV viewing. Indeed, Netflix and Amazon Prime have the science down to a tea. Just as one show finishes, you have 10 seconds to decide if you will watch the next episode. The show has piqued your interest, and before you know it, it’s 1 am, and you have to be at work in 5 hours. If, for any reason, your mind wonders, the show could have started.

Why do we Binge-Watch Television?

This binge-watching (the new word of the year in 2015) leaves people with a hit of dopamine, the feel-good chemical. We human beings take comfort from familiarity, from the constant sensation of dopamine, and we want more of that feeling. The need to have that feel good and exciting feeling is a massive driving force and we don’t want to be shocked. We want friendly and we want to tune in and out of the show and know we are not missing anything. We want nice, which is very different from person to person.

For example, I can’t stand zombies. The movies leave me cold. I can’t see the point of them. A lot of dead people walk around slowly dripping blood. You see nothing at all. However, a friend of mine loves them. They can’t get enough of them. Selecting our TV shows thus can become rather tricky.

Binge-watching Television, my Recommendations

Having written about some of my binge-watching television habits, I thought I should give you some of my recommendations. This list is not definitive and will change over the weeks and months, especially as new shows are online. However, as it stands today, this is my list of binge-watching television shoes I would recommend.

  1. Supernatural – Always, and the first show anyone should binge-watch
  2. Broadchurch – fantastic and a 1 am show
  3. Doctor Who – Has to be on any list
  4. Midsummer Murders – You diff entry don’t want to move there. It is the murder capital of the world, but in a very British middle-class kind of way.
  5. Aliens – all the movies, a bag of popcorn and chocolates and your set.
  6. Harry Potter – Good escape movie
  7. Blakes Seven – The scenery may wobble, and the acting is just as wobbly, but a good watch.
  8. Carry on movies – a feel-good set of movies
  9. Endeavour – the prequel to Morse. Slow and stays slow, but worth a watch
  10. Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel – maybe two shows, but it’s one in my mind

Services offering Binge-Watching Television

Most of these television services require a monthly fee, but you may be interested in finding out what shows they have to offer:

  1. Amazon prime
  2. Netflix
  3. Apple TV
  4. Britbox
  5. Sky 

In Conclusion to binge-watching television

I prefer to binge-watch television shows. It puts me in control of the television and what is playing. I don’t have to watch adverts, and I can watch the show at my convince and pause whenever I like. Have you watched any of the shows, I have mentioned? If you have any suggestions of shows you think would be worth investing in, please note them below. I would love to hear your thoughts.

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It was my first day back at work today, after almost three week’s holiday. It was wonderful to have time off work, see the family and recharge the batteries. It’s amazing how hard we all work. I am sure that life is more complicated today than it was ten or twenty years ago! I accept that we have a lot of devices that make our lives easier, we can travel the world within 24 hours. The internet can help us see the world and speak to the family and friends who live in different towns and countries. However, I still think life is complicated, and there are more worries today. I don’t think it’s an age thing, honest, but I would love to hear your opinion on this. What do you think Is life getting harder? (more…)