Have you ever tried to trace your ancestry? It is fun and exciting to learn about our ancestors, but it is like any puzzle not so easy. In fact the more you do it, the harder it gets. Some have even resorted to DNA techniques to insure they are right. Tracing your ancestry and family name is challenging and rewarding and it is always fun when you find some notable in history you are related to.
We are all related to some notables in history. I recently traced my ancestry and indeed I have heard of the Pocahontas connection and it is well researched, I am related to Pocahontas? Go figure, no way? Yes way! Then I found out that there is a gentleman out of Texas who has complete verification of this and he even has DNA proof which you can check yourself against on the bloodline issues. I met another family line and corresponded with them and found ties to Edgar Allen Poe, which is very cool; but predictable, as Allen is a Mayflower name and most of the folks did inter breed somewhat. I also found out that I have 12 Mayflower names in my tree. Maybe you do too. Did you know that 18 million Americans have at least one ancestor who came over on the Mayflower, isn't that cool?
You might also learn if you are related to Presidents, I found out I was and that I am an 8th cousins of FDR (twice removed in my case), related to President Garfield to. I also learned that Bill Gates has Winslow grandparents, so other notables in the present period also share my genes, interesting stuff indeed. I also found out that Friedrick Winslow Taylor who invented modern business management is related thru his mother Ann Winslow.
The more you look the more you will find for instance our family had all sorts of cool family lines such as Russell, Walker, Wood, Barker, Baker, Nelson. Actually the list is so long and reaching it is kind of scary. I guess you could say some of my ancestors had built this country. I even found out that Bush, Kerry are also off shoots of the same family lines as me. Did you know they are related in blood? I happen to find out the Vice President Cheney's ancestors are on my Mom's side of things. Winslow's also seem to have married well along the way.
You can literally trace the progression of your families ancestry as they moved across the states, continent, oceans, wow. Tracing your ancestry is a cool hobby, but soon you find out why you are how you are. Each piece is a mystery until it unfolds. I put my ancestry down to help others who are related to my ancestors too, it is a fun way to collaborate, everyone is doing it.
If I can trace my ancestry, surely you can too. In fact you might find you are much better at it than I am. But I must warn you that you will be surprised with what you find out there, lots of cool surprises await you. In fact over 800,000 Americans are related to Royal Lines of Europe. Maybe you are one? Who knows, think about it.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.
Monday 22 March 2010
4 Keys to Finding Free Ancestry Sites
There is a multitude of free websites that will offer free access to ancestry records to any genealogy hobbyist, or for anyone with a need to do quick ancestry research. Following a few simple steps will ensure that you not only find the best that the web has to offer in free ancestry sites, but that you also fully utilize them to gain benefit from all that they have to offer.
Step 1. What do you want? As with any aspect of your research, you need to have an attack plan in mind. There is so much information on the internet that you may find yourself approaching the point of being overwhelmed if you do not take the time to quickly jot down a few notes for yourself about what it is you're looking for. Having a clear idea of what you're looking for will help you quickly narrow down the results you receive.
Step 2. The Search! Your favorite search engine is going to be your first tool to aid in your search for free ancestry websites. Plugging in a few key phrases and words related to your search are going to be the easiest way to locate the free websites that you are looking for. If you are searching for Civil War information, be sure to include it in your search for free websites! The more information that you include in your searching, the more likely you are to get the results that you want. Don't forget to include the words "free" or "no cost" to ensure that you retrieve the correct results!
Step 3. Narrow down the results! Unfortunately, a good portion of the search results you retrieve will be links that lead you to the pay or "for profit" ancestry websites. There is no doubt that these websites provide a good and useful service to those who are willing and able to pay for the service. However, there is more than enough genealogy research information that is available at no charge. Be aware that there are some websites who will allow you to search for data at no charge; however, should you wish to actually view the complete information you will be ported over to a page ready to accept your credit card details!
Step 4. Other Resources! One of the best resources to aid you in your quest to locate free ancestry sites is going to be other researchers. If your web searches have failed to yield satisfactory results then you should seek out genealogy and other family tree forums. If there is not already helpful information about locating free websites, then post a question to the open forum and find out what other hobbyists are doing to locate free information. Your fellow genealogy researchers will most likely be more than happy to share their resources with you!
No matter what level of genealogy research hobbyist you are, you are certain to benefit from the successful searching of free websites; not only for the money saved by not spending on a subscription to a pay website, but also by the wide variety of information available free of charge.
Jeff Sallee is a hopeless genealogy enthusiast and also the author of "Family Tree Secrets: Guide to Creating Your Own Family Tree". Jeff truly enjoys helping others get started in this satisfying pursuit. For more information regarding his book or to see other articles on free ancestry sites check out: http://www.SecretsOfGenealogy.com
Step 1. What do you want? As with any aspect of your research, you need to have an attack plan in mind. There is so much information on the internet that you may find yourself approaching the point of being overwhelmed if you do not take the time to quickly jot down a few notes for yourself about what it is you're looking for. Having a clear idea of what you're looking for will help you quickly narrow down the results you receive.
Step 2. The Search! Your favorite search engine is going to be your first tool to aid in your search for free ancestry websites. Plugging in a few key phrases and words related to your search are going to be the easiest way to locate the free websites that you are looking for. If you are searching for Civil War information, be sure to include it in your search for free websites! The more information that you include in your searching, the more likely you are to get the results that you want. Don't forget to include the words "free" or "no cost" to ensure that you retrieve the correct results!
Step 3. Narrow down the results! Unfortunately, a good portion of the search results you retrieve will be links that lead you to the pay or "for profit" ancestry websites. There is no doubt that these websites provide a good and useful service to those who are willing and able to pay for the service. However, there is more than enough genealogy research information that is available at no charge. Be aware that there are some websites who will allow you to search for data at no charge; however, should you wish to actually view the complete information you will be ported over to a page ready to accept your credit card details!
Step 4. Other Resources! One of the best resources to aid you in your quest to locate free ancestry sites is going to be other researchers. If your web searches have failed to yield satisfactory results then you should seek out genealogy and other family tree forums. If there is not already helpful information about locating free websites, then post a question to the open forum and find out what other hobbyists are doing to locate free information. Your fellow genealogy researchers will most likely be more than happy to share their resources with you!
No matter what level of genealogy research hobbyist you are, you are certain to benefit from the successful searching of free websites; not only for the money saved by not spending on a subscription to a pay website, but also by the wide variety of information available free of charge.
Jeff Sallee is a hopeless genealogy enthusiast and also the author of "Family Tree Secrets: Guide to Creating Your Own Family Tree". Jeff truly enjoys helping others get started in this satisfying pursuit. For more information regarding his book or to see other articles on free ancestry sites check out: http://www.SecretsOfGenealogy.com
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