The thought of researching your family history can be so overwhelming.  The first question is always, “How do I begin?”  My answer is start with what you know.  I found out a great deal by speaking to those relatives who are still living.  Take a look around your attic or basement, where you may store old photos or documents.  These items are a gold mine of information. 

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to speak to my grandmother before she passed.  My grandmother showed me a family tree that was put together for an attorney.  A wealthy cousin left her fortune to all her second cousins living at the time of her death.  This family tree, although not completely accurate, was an excellent beginning for my mother’s family.  My grandfather left his Irish passport, his American passport, and countless other documents with my parents when he died.  This too was a great stepping stone to start with my father’s side of the family.  Not everyone is lucky enough to have these items handed to them, but just because it is not obvious, do not discount what you do have.

You must be a detective, when you speak to your relatives, do not put too much stock in the stories.  Just like questioning a witness, it is important to keep an open mind when listening to the stories.  Facts can be forgotten or changed over time.   Use the information in the stories as a beginning point then use the documentation to prove the story.

Family will not always be around.  It is so important that we talk to them as often as possible while they are still here.  They are a great resource that tends to be overlooked and taken for granted.