How to Make a Real Family Tree
- 1). Create a list of family members, both living and deceased, that you already know about. Your list should include any vital information that you know about each relative, including the dates and locations of births, deaths and marriages, as well as the names of spouses and children. You may wish to enlist the help of other living relatives to complete this step.
- 2). Search for missing vital information from your list. This can be done either online using sites such as those listed in the Resource section in this article, or in person at town archives, libraries and courthouses. You should be searching for any records and documents that provide the missing vital information, as well as lead you to earlier generations in your family tree. This includes birth and death certificates, marriage records, census records, land records and more.
- 3). Write letters of request to the Department of Vital Records in the states that your ancestors resided in, and that you cannot visit in person. A list of links to each state's vital records department is included here, under Resources. Your letters should be brief and provide information, including your ancestor's full name (maiden names for women), date and place the event occurred, gender, your relationship to the person and why you need the record. You should also include a self addressed stamped envelope (SASE) with your letter.
- 4). Develop a method for documenting your family tree research. The most common family tree chart, called a pedigree chart, shows a diagram of a person's direct lineage beginning with themselves. While these are the most common, there are several other types of family tree charts used by researchers, including family group sheets and descendant charts. Charts can be either basic or decorative. Decorative charts are appropriate for display.
