Genealogy 101

A beginners guide to tracing your family history

May 13, 2025

Have you ever wondered about the stories behind your family name or who your great-great-grandparents were? You're not alone. Welcome to the Genealogy by Aryn Substack! In this post, we'll explore the fundamentals of genealogy and how to begin your journey into family history research. Because, sometimes the hardest part of anything is knowing where to start. [This post includes a FREE Interviewing Friends and Family Starter Guide!!]

Aryn is a dedicated genealogist and researcher passionate about uncovering family history and social history. She helps people connect with their heritage and explore historical narratives that shape their identities. Aryn also assists clients in using their research to craft engaging nonfiction and historical stories about their ancestors and other figures. To learn more about this Substack and my love of history, family history, and genealogy — head here! To learn more about the From Research To Novel webinar and Substack — head here.

Why Does Genealogy Matter?

Understanding your family history connects you to something larger than yourself.

It provides context for your own identity and place in history
Discovering family medical history can inform health decisions
Preserving family stories prevents them from being lost to time
Creating connections to relatives you might never have known existed – relatives who may have had similar interests as you do.

Getting Started: Define Your Goals

Before diving into research, take some time to clarify what you hope to achieve. It’s easy to jump right into the middle of a family timeline in the hope of finding a long lost royal ancestor or verifying your Cherokee Princess connection, but just like learning how to swim, it’s better to start in the shallow end and to have a play. Start by deciding: are you interested in creating a comprehensive family tree, learning about specific ancestors, or understanding your ethnic heritage?

Having clear goals will help focus your research and prevent you from becoming overwhelmed. Plus, starting small, perhaps with the goal of documenting three generations, will keep your research manageable, and then, you can always expand your research as you gain confidence and skills.

Enjoying this post? Don’t forgive to give it a hear and a restack!

Gather What You Already Know

The best genealogy research begins at home and with yourself. Start by collecting information you already have access to before seeking external resources. Pull out your birth certificate, and if you don’t have one, buy one for your records. Build out your tree by using you as the trunk. Once you have all of your basic information mapped out (where you were born, who your parents were, where you grew up, etc.,) you can move forward by:

Looking through family papers, photo albums, and heirlooms.
Talking to older relatives and recording their stories—they often hold valuable clues that aren't documented elsewhere.

And most of all, remember to create a simple organizational system from the start! You'll thank yourself later when information starts pouring in and you have a place to track and store it.

Mastering Basic Research Tools

Today's genealogists and family historians have access to powerful tools that previous generations could only dream of. With the inception of online databases the world of family history research has been revolutionized. These days, with an internet connection, you can accesses records from your home.

So, before you buy a plane ticket, start with free resources like FamilySearch.org and then consider subscription services like Ancestry.com or MyHeritage as you progress. Also know that your local library might offer free access to these paid sites, or your local genealogical or historical society may also grant you access for a small yearly membership fee.

Even though the internet brings all of this information inside your home, don't overlook traditional resources like courthouses, churches, and historical societies, which often hold records that haven't been digitized. NOTE: Only 30% of ALL records have been digitized. To build a rounded out image of your ancestors life, you will need to access non-digitized records.

Just know, if you can’t buy that plane ticket, you can always hire a genealogist in the area you are researching.

How to Get Started

Ready to begin your genealogical journey? Here's how:

First, interview older family members and document what they share — use my FREE Interview “How To” by using the link above!
Next, organize the information you have into a simple family tree chart
Then, select one line or ancestor to research further using online databases
Finally, join a genealogy society or online forum to learn from experienced researchers

The key is consistency. Even spending just 30 minutes a week on research can yield significant discoveries over time.

Common Genealogy FAQs

How far back can I realistically trace my family? This varies widely depending on your heritage. Some lineages can be traced back centuries, while others hit "brick walls" after a few generations due to missing records, name changes, or migration.

Do DNA tests help with genealogy research? Absolutely! DNA testing can confirm family relationships, help you connect with previously unknown relatives, and provide insights into your ethnic background. Companies like AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, and FamilyTreeDNA offer different features for genealogists. Just know, sites like Ancestry are proprietary. You can only access their DNA databases by buying an AncestryDNA kit, whereas, with MyHeritage and FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA), you can upload your RAW DNA to them, for free.

What if I find conflicting information? This is common in genealogy. Create a research log to track contradictory information, evaluate the reliability of each source, and seek additional records to resolve the conflict.

Remember, like most things in life, genealogy is a journey, not a destination! By starting with what you know and methodically expanding your research, you'll gradually piece together your family story. The skills you develop—critical thinking, historical research, and organization—are valuable beyond genealogy.

What discoveries have you already made about your family history? Share your stories or questions in the comments below!