Build Your Family Tree With HeritageTree
Traditional Genealogy Research
Genetic Genealogy Tools
Genealogists Start With Their Own Family Trees
Starting with one's own family tree is a fundamental and essential step for a genealogist for several compelling reasons:
Personal Familiarity
Genealogists who begin with their own family tree have a unique advantage—they are intimately familiar with the individuals, relationships, and stories involved
This personal connection can provide a solid foundation for developing the necessary skills and understanding the intricacies of genealogical research
Skill Development
Building one's own family tree serves as a practical training ground for developing genealogical research skills
It allows the genealogist to hone skills in gathering and analyzing primary and secondary sources, interviewing relatives, and critically evaluating evidence
Documentation Practice
Creating a family tree for personal use encourages the genealogist to practice thorough documentation and citation of sources
This is a crucial skill in the professional realm, ensuring that research is verifiable, reliable, and can withstand scrutiny
Understanding Methodology
Genealogists can experiment with different research methodologies and strategies on their own family history
This hands-on experience helps in understanding the nuances of effective genealogical research methods and refining one's approach
Problem-Solving
Inevitably, researchers encounter obstacles and gaps in their family history
Tackling these challenges within one's own tree helps develop problem-solving skills that are transferable to diverse client cases
Ethical Considerations
By researching their own family, genealogists gain insights into the ethical considerations of genealogy, such as handling sensitive information, respecting privacy, and dealing with family dynamics
This awareness is crucial when working with clients
Passion and Commitment
Starting with one's own family history allows the genealogist to leverage personal passion and commitment, fostering a deeper connection to the work
This enthusiasm is likely to translate into a more dedicated and empathetic approach when assisting clients with their own family research
Networking Opportunities
As genealogists delve into their own family history, they may discover connections to wider genealogical communities and resources
Networking within these communities can be invaluable for sharing knowledge, collaborating on challenging cases, and staying updated on the latest research tools and methodologies
In essence, beginning with one's own family tree provides a solid educational and experiential foundation, allowing genealogists to develop the necessary skills, ethical considerations, and passion needed to excel in their field while providing a personal touch to their work.
HeritageTree Research Examples
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My Family Tree
My family tree research was started in the 1980’s with my mother. We did original research in libraries and archives across the country and abroad. Field trips to Europe supplemented the data collection. As genealogy software and websites evolved we incorporated them into our workflow.
This tree now includes >6,000 individuals and 1,200 media files. We have verified 1,800 direct ancestors going back over 30 generations to the 12th century. We count 14 sons of the American Revolution and many of the Kings in the Plantagenet British Monarchy as direct ancestors. Our ancestors include founders of New Jersey, Long Island, and Penn’s Landing.
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My Wife's Family Tree
My wife’s family tree has a rich and long ancestral maternal lineage, diverse with English, Scottish, Mexican, Spanish, and Asian relatives. It was straight forward to research and document most of her maternal side where good records existed.
Her paternal line ended with her grandfather who was adopted in 1912 by a Chicago Railroad Executive. No official records of the adoption could be found. Through a combination of genealogical and genetic sleuthing, her biological paternal great grandparents have been identified. Her known ancestors have now doubled to over 3,000. They include founders of several Virginia colonies, numerous revolutionary officers and the 23rd Governor of Georgia.
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Deborah M.'s Family Tree
Deborah came to me with a family legend, that the maternal mysterious grandfather named on her mother’s birth certificate may have been in reality her great uncle, married to one of her grandmother’s sisters.
Through the use of genetic testing, we were able to confirm this as fact. This new branch of her maternal family links her to 95 new DNA matches unique to this “found” grandfather dating back to a patriot that fought in the revolutionary war!
“When Matt first told me he conducts and teaches genealogy research, I was intrigued but believed it was hard work and really time consuming. Fortunately, he has a comprehensive understanding about how to begin and then how to delve into the rich world of Ancestry.com. He also loves the treasure hunt aspect of it, navigating and piecing different resources together in order to recreate my family tree. Soon he had me absolutely fascinated about what I can learn about my family history. It’s really amazing. Matt is also a great resource for teaching me how to use the site to go even deeper with my own quest.”
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Margaret S.'s Family Tree
Margaret wanted to learn more about the paternal side of her family. Her maternal side was documented but she knew very little about her ancestors beyond her father.
Her paternal family tree now includes >800 new, verified individuals, 1,100 media files going back 17+ generations. She has ancestors in English royalty in the 1400 and 1500’s. Her father’s ancestors were founders of the second largest settlement of Quakers in the US, located in eastern North Carolina.
“This is AMAZING!!! it means a lot to me.”
