Start with what you already know about your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents
Ask relatives for names, dates, places, and family stories
Gather old documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and obituaries
Check family Bibles, photo albums, letters, and diaries for clues
Search online genealogy websites and public records databases
Use census records, immigration records, military records, and land records
Visit local libraries, archives, churches, and courthouses for records
Build a family tree chart to organize names, dates, and relationships
Verify each fact with multiple sources before adding it to your tree
Look for variations in spellings of names and places
Use DNA testing if you want to find biological relatives and confirm connections
Contact distant relatives who may have additional information
Keep track of sources for every piece of information you find
Update your family tree as you discover new records and relatives