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Genealogy:  How do I get started?

A five step guide.

1.  Gather and review what you and your relatives already know about your family tree.

2. Determine what you want to learn but don't yet know about your family or the process.

3. Consult hundreds of genealogy resources on the World Wide Web.

That can sound a bit overwhelming.  Fortunately, experts have made it easier.  Click on the names below to access some of the best starting places.  There are hundreds of links from those sites to other sites.  Most of the links take you to free sites.  Some of the links take you to sites that charge a fee for certain services.

Cyndi's List of Genealogical Sites on the Internet

US GenWeb Project         National Genealogical Society          Roots Web

4.  Gather the missing data about your family tree.

If you can't travel in person to conduct research at local libraries, county court houses, churches, cemeteries, etc., you might want to hire a genealogy researcher in the specific locale.  You will find lists of such researchers at the web sites listed above.   Another hint: click here to add yourself to mailing lists by surname and location.

5.  Organize your data and decide if and how you want to publish it.

There are several genealogy programs that you can use to organize your data on your own personal computer.  The World Wide Web is an excellent means to publish and share your family tree data with the rest of the world. If that sounds to complex, we can help.  Click here to learn more.

This information page is provided as a free service by Western Slope Personal and Business Services LLC.                                                   Return to the Western Slope E-Mall