How to start your family history research   Tags: family_history, genealogy  

This guide will help you begin your family history research using the resources at the State Library of Victoria. It provides a simple six-step guide to beginning family history and a brief list of recommended genealogical books and websites.

1. Start with yourself and work backwards
   Move backwards one generation at a time to your parents, grandparents, etc. Remember that when you are doing your genealogy you are finding a person, in a specific place at a particular time.
   
   
2. Talk to your relatives
   Ask them questions about your ancestors and relations. Collect together documents, such as official birth, marriage and death certificates that are still kept by your family.
   
   
3. Look at birth, death and marriage certificates
   From your birth certificate you may learn your parents’ marriage and birth details. From your parents’ marriage and birth certificates you may obtain information about your grandparents’ marriage and births, etc. There are various ways to get a copy of your birth certificate if you don't already have one. Further information about birth, death and marriage records in Australian registries is available on Cora Num's Websites for Genealogists.
   
   
4. Obtain a blank pedigree chart
   Use this chart to document your findings in the appropriate place to show relationships between family members. Free downloadable and printable charts are available from the FamilySearch and Ancestry Library Edition websites and books in the Library's Helen Macpherson Smith Genealogy Centre.
   
   
5. Get organised
   Always write down where you find information. Make sure it's very specific so you can locate it again if required. Start a file on each person and family that you research. Include copies of charts and any other information you find.
   
   
6. Consult resources in the Genealogy Centre
   Visit the Library's Genealogy Centre to research your ancestors using the Genealogy Collection. The collection brings together key Australian and international genealogy resources that are available in print, microfilm, microfiche, CD-ROM and online.
   

State Library of Victoria

328 Swanston Street
Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia

+61 3 8664 7000