Family History

Is Anyone in Your Family Interested in Genealogy ?

If you want to take the greatest adventure of your life, start researching your family history.

You know your immediate family, but where did they come from? Were they generals in the Civil War? Were they land owners in the 12 colonies that started America?

This journey is personal, not like in the history books.The people you meet are not strangers, they are your ancestors! Just imagine your family history. How did they come to America, maybe with Christopher Columbus, or were immigrants fleeing a dictator's gruesome rule?

Let's say that you have a beautiful singing voice but everyone in your immediate family is tone deaf. Aren't you a little curious where you received this talent? As a child, maybe you liked to mix everything that you could find together to see what would happen. To your mom you were just making a mess for her to clean, but maybe that gene came from Louis Pasteur.

Did your family line come from royalty? Wouldn't it be fun to let other family members know what you've discovered in your personal genealogy research?

You will amaze yourself at the great and interesting things that you will find out. Some things might make you cry, others will astound you. But, no matter what, you will enjoy the trip.

There are countless resources on the Internet, but there is also an information overload. Here are three Web sites that will be a big help to you:

*The US Gen Web Project: http//www.usgenweb.com/index.shtml The US Gen Web Project is made up of many volunteers that help provide Web sites for genealogical research in every county in every state of the United States. There is free access for everyone.

*Treasure Maps How-to Genealogy site: http://amberskyline.com/treasuremaps/ Loaded with free on-line guides and tutorials including a Deciphering Old Handwriting course that has a fun mystery for you to solve and a wonderful Understanding the U.S. Census guide.

* The FamilySearch (TM) site: http://www.familysearch.org One of the most popular and helpful genealogy search sites. You can do free searches on-line. Be sure to click on the "Search Tab" and then click on the "Research Guidance" link. This will lead you to valuable, free "Research Outlines" for all 50 U.S. states and International regions.

Being involved with genealogy is like putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle. As you find more pieces you begin to see who you are and where you got the many talents and unique qualities that you possess. The entire past of your family history made you who you are today!

A surprise package awaits you in your family history and is just waiting patiently for you to unlock the key. The treasure you find inside are irreplaceable and will stay with you throughout your lifetime and on into your great, great grandchildren's live.

So start the adventure now. Find your family tree so you can pass it on to the next generation. They will love your for the knowledge and adventure. Whether you came from slaves or kings, the journey back through time, not only shows the struggles of your family, but also the triumphs.