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Find your family history path with
The Family History Guide.


Welcome to The Family History Guide! To get started, select a numbered item below and click its link.

(You can also explore the menus at the top of the page, or search the site by clicking the blue magnifying glass icon above.)

A Where do I begin?

  1. Beginners Link
    New to family history? Start with the Beginners link on the home page.
  2. Introduction page
    To learn what The Family History Guide is and how it can benefit you, check out the Introduction page.

B Can family history be fun?

  1. Family History Activities
    Enjoy fun and meaningful family history activities for familes, individuals, youth, and kids.
  2. Youth Pages
    Here's a great place for youth ages 12-18 to get started with family history.

C How do I build my family tree?

  1. FamilySearch
    Build your tree on FamilySearch, step by step.
  2. Ancestry
    Build your tree on Ancestry, step by step.
  3. MyHeritage
    Build your tree on MyHeritage, step by step.
  4. Findmypast
    Build your tree on Findmypast, step by step.

D How can I get to know my ancestors better?

  1. Gather Your Memories.
    Gather your important photos and documents.
  2. Gather Memories from Others
    Reach out to relatives and share photos, documents, and stories.
  3. Do Family History Interviews
    Interview family members about their stories and remembrances of ancestors.

E How do I improve my research skills?

  1. Basic Strategies
    Learn solid principles of family history research that will last you a lifetime.
  2. Research Knowledgebase
    Explore a wealth of topics to help you grow in your research skills.
  3. Going Farther
    Learn tips and techniques from industry experts that will take you to the next level.

F How do I do research in countries around the world?

  1. All Countries
    Explore research through videos, articles, and databases for the location of your choice.
  2. Countries Knowledgebase
    Grow your international research skills with nuggets of information.
  3. Ethnic Resources
    In the Countries menu, click "Ethnic" to explore research for African American, Asian, Basque, Hispanic, Jewish, or Native American ancestry.