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Step One: Start with yourself and your family

Write down everything you know about your parents and grandparents and those of your spouse. Work your way back from there.

Interview all members of your family. Make a tape recording if possible. Check for records at home. These may include:

• Baby books
• Medical records
• Bibles
• Military records
• Birth and death certificates
• Naturalization papers
• Deeds, mortgages, or land records
• Needlework
• Diaries or journals
• Old silver
• Financial ledgers
• Photographs
• Letters
• School records
• Marriage Certificates
• Scrapbooks

Step Two: Research Public Records

Vital Records
Begun in 1867 in Michigan, and usually located in the City or Township Clerk's office.

• Birth
• Marriage
• Death
• Naturalization

Land Records
Located in the Register of Deeds office.

Probate Court

• Adoption proceedings
• Decrees of distribution
• Guardianship papers
• Letters of administration
• Letters to determine heirship
• Name changes
• Petitions to probate will
• Releases (signed by heirs)
• Wills

Semi-Official Records

• Cemetery records
• Church records (baptisms, marriages, burials, memberships)
• School and college records (attendance rolls)

Step Three:
Use the Local History Department Resources
Resources to look for at the library include:

• Cemetery records
• Census microfilm
• Church records
• City, county histories
• City directories
• Family genealogies
• Genealogy periodicals
• Heraldry
• "How-to" genealogy books
• Indexes to census, obituaries
• Land records, maps, plats
• Manuscripts
• Military lists
• Newspapers
• Obituaries
• Probate records
• Ship passenger lists
• Surname books
• Tax lists
• Vital records

Step Four: Write to other sources
Write to courthouses, genealogical and local history societies and libraries in other countries, cities, and counties where your family has roots. Correspond with relatives, old family friend, previous neighbors, names found in newspapers, city directories, phone books and the Genealogical Helper

Tips
Decide on a style of documentation and stick with it. For names, use last name first or first name last, but be consistent. For dates, use words for months and be sure to use the complete year (1990, not '90).

1. Be sure to record everything--nicknames and other seemingly insignificant details may prove important.
2. Always cite your source. Unverified information is of little use to genealogists.
3. Use family group charts and pedigree charts to organize your information.
4. Print or type if possible, but avoid cursive handwriting.
5. When writing away, included a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Many libraries and government agencies charge a fee, so be prepared to pay for the service you are requesting.
6. Get involved in your local genealogical society--many members are seasoned family historians and can be a great asset.
7. Be patient! Genealogy is a time consuming hobby.
8. Read a good "how-to" book on tracing your ancestors.
9. Share your information and pool your resources with other family members.
10. Have a pencil and paper handy--most genealogical sources cannot be taken home.