There are many reasons that someone may want to have a DNA test performed, among the most popular reasons are to prove the parentage of a child and for genealogical purposes. In either case, the high cost of DNA tests can be a deterrent to getting the test done. Thanks to the internet, the world of cheap DNA testing has opened up for everyone. There are a number of sites that offer this type of testing for a fraction of the traditional price. There may, however, be hidden costs that one should know about before agreeing to send their genetic material into the lab.

(more…)

Every amateur genealogist is bound to hit a dead end every once in a while. Don t lose hope. The information you re looking for IS out there it just might take a little more digging to find it. Here are some common problems and their solutions — that trip up many family tree researchers:

1. Sorting out names.

Names can get you into a muddle if several of your ancestors share a name. Names were often passed on from one generation to the next, so you could find that three of your ancestors are all called James Clifton Sterling. Who’s who? If you’re confused about names, the answer is to talk to the older members of

your family, NOW. This is a vital first step. If you don’t talk to them first, you’ll have to do it later. Ask for full names and nicknames, plus dates of birth, marriages, and dates of death of your ancestors. Ask whether anyone in the family has an old family Bible. You may even find that someone in the family has already traced his or her family tree, which will give a boost to your own searches.

(more…)

Your computer cost you from hundreds to thousands of dollars, but the computer itself is not the most valuable part. The data on the hard disk is the most valuable part. How many hours of work did you put into creating that data? One little event, like a power line spike from a lightning strike, and all that work could be lost. Unfortunately, backing up with Windows XP Home Edition is not as simple as it should be.

The first step is to choose a backup device. You might choose a tape drive or a DVD drive, but those devices might require drivers to be installed before you could restore from them. The simplest option is to install a

second hard drive in your computer.

(more…)

Death records can provide vital clues to create a family tree. Using these documents and others such as birth or marriage records, you can trace much of the path of an ancestor through history.

Genealogy should include accurate information on birth and death dates, unions, children, as well as the locations of each event. Death records can give the answers to many questions.

Modern death records for the United States can be located through the Social Security Death Index. This Index is fully searchable online at no charge. From the Social Security Death Index you can find the birth date, Social Security Number and state of issue, death date and last residence of your past family member.

(more…)

Family Tree provides detailed information on the families past history. To organize your research you need to create a worksheet of your family tree. There are many tools to use to help start the process of your family tree, they are not expensive and widely available, and they are great tools for organizing. Studying genealogy will give you the knowledge you will need to understand your ancestry, and it will help in creating the family tree. The family tree is a graphical representation of how the family fits and is related to each other. To make it easier it is a good idea to separate the generations, this will make it easier for tracing the family

roots. By seeing the generations it is a good rule of thumb of you your family tree will be formed and how extensive it is. Use a family tree to elaborate on how each of us is connected to each other. The family tree is a great tool for showing children how the family is related plus it give a perspective of how the family was formed..

(more…)