Family History

The path

1. 1
   Level 1Free

   Your Roots

   A four-generation tree and an ancestor's story

   15 Steps, about 43 minutes each. Anyone who's wondered where their family came from. No genealogy experience or paid accounts needed.

   1. Chapter 1: Start with you. A chart of what you know, home sources found, a free tree started, photos scanned, and an interview planned.
   2. Chapter 2: Records. Ancestors found in the census and vital records, an interview recorded, sources cited, and a grave located.
   3. Chapter 3: Tell the story. Military and newspaper records searched, a timeline made, and an ancestor's story written and shared.

   1. 1
      Write what you know

      A four-generation chart from memory: you, parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.

      FamilySearch
      Show your group
   2. 2
      Search your home

      Documents, photos and keepsakes gathered from your home and close family.

      FamilySearch
   3. 3
      Start your online tree

      A free FamilySearch account and your first four generations entered.

      FamilySearchFamilySearch

   See all 15 Steps

   1. 4
      Scan old photos

      At least 20 old family photos scanned, named, and backed up.

      Library of Congress
   2. 5
      Plan an interview

      An older relative asked for an interview, and a list of questions ready.

      StoryCorps
      Show your group
   3. 6
      Find a census record

      One of your ancestors found in a census, with the record saved and the household noted.

      National Archives
   4. 7
      Vital records

      A birth, marriage or death record found or ordered for one ancestor.

      CDC National Center for Health Statistics
   5. 8
      Record the interview

      A recorded interview with your relative, saved and backed up.

      StoryCorps
   6. 9
      Cite your sources

      Every fact in your tree linked to where it came from, and one conflict looked at.

      FamilySearch
   7. 10
      Find a grave

      An ancestor's grave found online, with the memorial and any photos saved.

      Find a Grave
      Show your group
   8. 11
      Military records

      Military service records searched for an ancestor who served, and what you found noted.

      National Archives
   9. 12
      Newspapers and obituaries

      An obituary or news story about an ancestor found in old newspapers.

      Library of Congress
   10. 13
       Build a timeline

       A timeline of one ancestor's life, with world events alongside it.

       FamilySearch
   11. 14
       Write their story

       A one-to-two-page story of your ancestor's life, written from your timeline.

       FamilySearch
   12. 15
       Share it with family

       Your tree, story and photos shared with family, in a way they'll enjoy.

       FamilySearch
       Show your group
2. Level 2Unlocks after Level 1

   Deeper Records

   Land, court and church records, and DNA basics

3. Level 3Unlocks after Level 2

   The Old Country

   Immigration records and research overseas

Where it ends: a family tree and stories to pass down

Free lessons in Your Roots come from FamilySearch, Library of Congress, StoryCorps, National Archives, CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Find a Grave, National Genealogical Society. We link to their work and never copy it.