Family Tree Help

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Hey all!

Last night, we had a surprise 90th Birthday Party for my grandfather. It was amazing! I live in Florida (away from my extended family in NJ) and it was cool to meet everyone who came. Out of about 120 people who came to the party...I was related to about 100 of them...most of whom I had never met before! My grandparents grew up together in a neighborhood in NJ with a bunch of other cousins, etc, and it was so cool to see generations of family together at the party!

Anyways....my goal for this year is to create a family tree. I'm not looking for geneaology help exactly...just software, or websites, or personal experience from those of you who have put together lots of family information. I'd love to give this to everyone next year at Christmas. I'd love to trace from my great-grandparents, to my grandparents (each of whom had 5 siblings), and down from there.

Any advice? Examples of what you've done? I'd really appreciate it!


Thanks so much, DISers!!!

 

[pfishgirl]

I live in NJ & have a house in FL too *small world*

Anyway... the best would be ask a relative.. but, since you want it to be a surprise for Christmas, this may not be an option..

I was thinking of making my own Family Tree, but we have so many 2nd & 3rd wives and husbands in our family, I'd be afraid we'd be related to all of NJ & PA

 

[Boo'sMom]

we use ancestry.com and have been very pleased

 

[YoYoAurora]

Warning: researching your family history is highly addictive!

That said, congratulations! You are embarking on a very fun, rewarding, frustrating and sometimes shocking trip through history via your family.

I use Ancestry a lot. I broke down a few years ago and bought a subscription. It's pricey, but for me, it's been well worth it. There is also cyndislist, usgenweb and also google the county where your relatives live or lived.

You will need software to keep up with your research. There is free software you can get from familysearch and other sources, or you can purchase software. It's up to you. But do keep up with your sources, and if you get information from someone else, credit them.

And don't forget the pictures! My family shares digital copies of our old photos.

Good luck and let me know if you need some coaching. I'll be happy to help!

-- Susan