What does your last name mean? What’s a second cousin twice removed? And what’s the deal with family crests? These are just a few of the common questions you might encounter when you start exploring your family history.
In this article, we’ll provide answers to these and many other genealogy questions we’ve frequently received from readers throughout the years. We’ll also reveal the truth behind some common myths, plus give tips for organizing and sharing your findings.
Share these answers with the newbie genealogist in your life—or brush up on the answers yourself!
How do I start researching my family?
So much family history information is available today that it can be difficult to know where to begin. Many people jump right to searching names on large databases like Ancestry.com <www.ancestry.com> or cribbing details from other users’ online family trees. However, this approach doesn’t always yield the most-accurate information.
To build a strong foundation for your research, set a specific goal to keep you focused and productive. Then ask your family members what they know,>
