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How to start a family tree
A family tree starts with what you already know and grows outwards one generation at a time. The most valuable source is not an archive; it is the older relatives who still remember names, places and stories that were never written down. Talk to them first. Records can wait; memories cannot.
A practical method for beginners, then the apps that keep the tree and the stories, with a section for family tree apps rising by visits on the Censuus ranking.
Family tree apps rising by visits and sponsorship on Censuus
A younger app from an independent developer built around stories as well as names:
Memoria Global: Family TreeApp Storebuild your family tree, write life stories and create a downloadable family history book, all in one app.- Your app hereFree, foreverList my app
Talk to the oldest relatives first
Ask about their parents and grandparents: names, where they lived, what they did, how they met, what happened to their siblings. Old photos are excellent prompts, so bring some and ask who is in them. Record the conversation if they agree; you will hear things you did not know to ask about.
Collect and scan what exists
Birth, marriage and death certificates, letters, old address books, military papers and photos are often in a drawer somewhere. Scan or photograph them and write on the back of each copy, or in its file name, who and what it shows.
Record where each fact came from
Note the source of every date and name: grandmother’s memory, a certificate, a census record. Sooner or later two sources will disagree, and knowing where each came from lets you judge which is more reliable.
Keep the stories with the names
A tree of names and dates is useful; a tree with stories is what family members actually read. Add the anecdotes, the jobs and the reasons people moved. For apps that build the tree and keep stories and photos, see family tree apps.
| Step | What you do | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Start with yourself | you, parents, grandparents, with dates and places | work backwards from what you know |
| 2. Interview relatives | the oldest first | record the conversation, with permission |
| 3. Gather what the family has | certificates, letters, photos, family bibles | scan or photograph everything |
| 4. Note your sources | where each fact came from | you will need it when facts disagree |
| 5. Keep the stories | jobs, moves, nicknames, recipes | names alone are a list, not a history |
Frequently asked questions
How do I start a family tree?
Start with yourself and work backwards, interview your oldest relatives first, gather family documents and photos, and record where each fact came from.
What questions should I ask relatives for a family tree?
Names, dates and places of their parents and grandparents, what they did for work, where they moved and why, and who is in old family photos.
Do I need a paid service to build a family tree?
Not to start. You can build the first generations from family knowledge and documents. Paid record databases help when you go further back.