Genealogy research is a fascinating way of re-connecting with your extended family and meeting your ancestors for the first time. But before you dive straight into the online world of research as you begin to trace your family history, talk to the people around you first. Draw up a template of questions you would like answers to.

Suggested questions to ask your family members:

• Full name (current)
• Maiden name
• Other names known as
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Current address
• Any previous addresses known
• Number of siblings, names, dates of birth (including any who died)
• Occupation
• Place of study, Education
• Names of parents (including mothers maiden names)
• Their birth dates
• Address if known
• Date of Marriage / Divorce / Any second (or subsequent) relationships including de-facto, Any children
• Occupations
• Their dates of death (if appropriate)
• Place of burial or cremation
• Names of grandparents (including maiden names)
• Their birth dates
• Address if known
• Their dates of death (if appropriate)
• Place of burial or cremation

If you try and do this for yourself, and I would suggest you do, you will understand how fickle memories can be.

Family genealogy research begins with what you know, then and only then will you know what information you need to fill in the gaps in your family history.

What do you want to know? What are you trying to find out?

• How they lived?
• Where they lived?
• How long did they live for?
• How many children did they have?
• Where are they now and can you still talk to them?

Family genealogy research (like any research) is about being systematic in the terms you use, the online research tools you use, and your search time. Once you know the relevant online research tools and sites and the search terms to use, you can shorten your online time and get the results you really want.