Starting family history research with public records

Here is a straightforward look at this topic for UpdateSee.

Family history research begins at home. Talk to older relatives, write down names, dates and places while memories are available, and collect certificates, letters and photographs. Work backwards one generation at a time from what you know for certain. Starting with distant ancestors and working forwards usually leads to mistaken connections.

Census returns, birth, marriage and death registers, military service files and immigration records are kept by national and local archives, and many can be searched online. Record the source of every fact so it can be checked later. When two records disagree, look for a third before deciding, and treat family stories as useful clues rather than established facts.