[Noozhawk’s note: This column is brought to you by the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society, which helps people — wherever they come from — discover, document and preserve their family histories. This monthly column offers guidance, tips and local resources to help you find your family story. Click here for a related article.]
You may know who won the Battle of Yorktown. But do you know where your own great-great-grandmother was born?
As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation, most of us can name the Founding Fathers more easily than we can name our own ancestors.
Yet your family’s story may be just as remarkable. Where did your people live 250 years ago? Colonial America, New Spain, Africa, Asia, somewhere in Europe?
Did you have family on American soil in 1776, or did your ancestors arrive later?
Did they come willingly, drawn by the promise of possibility, or were they brought against their will?
This column, brought to you by the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society, exists to help you find out.
Every month we will offer information and resources to help you learn about your ancestors and build your family tree.
Along the way you will find surprises, unearth mysteries and run into brick walls. It is all part of the adventure of discovery that is at the heart of family history.
Begin With Yourself
Your family tree begins with you — you are the trunk. The first branches are your parents, then your four grandparents, then your eight great-grandparents.
Write down what you already know about each person, starting with yourself and working backward. If you know enough to keep going, add your great-great-grandparents and beyond.
Now is a good time to call an older relative and ask them to share what they remember.
For each person, record three key facts: the date and place of their birth, marriage and death, using their full name (and maiden name for women).
You can write this on a simple sheet of paper or, better yet, use one of the two forms genealogists rely on: the pedigree chart (also called an ancestral chart) and the family group sheet.
A good free starting point is FamilySearch.org, which offers its own forms and numbers each slot on its pedigree chart for easy reference — your name goes in slot number 1.
The National Archives and the National Genealogical Society also offer free forms if you want to explore other options.
Take the challenge and don’t wait. Start this month. No sentences required — just the facts: name, event, date, place.
Once you can see clearly what you already know, you will also see exactly what you want to find out next.
Look for this column next month, when we will offer suggestions for tracking down those answers.
Already Have Some Family History?
If you have already made a start, this is a good moment to review how far back your tree goes and decide whether you would like to push further — or learn more about a particular person, family group or line of descent.
Next month we will suggest resources to help you do exactly that.
Can’t Wait to Get Started?
We invite you to visit us in person at the Sahyun Genealogy Library at 316 Castillo St. in Santa Barbara. Our volunteers are ready to help you with your questions.
The library is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 1 to 4 p.m. most Sundays. On-site parking is free.
You are also welcome to explore the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society website to learn about our library, classes, programs and resources.
Your ancestors’ stories are waiting. Come find them!
