Genealogy Research: Start with Yourself
"They" say ... start your genealogy research by proving your existence. While this seems far less exciting than discovering a new ancestral line (after all, I already know I exist), it is good advice. Locate your birth certificate (and while you're at it, scan into the computer for future reference) Do you have a marriage certificate? What about school diplomas? Perhaps you saved old drivers' licenses that showcase various places you've lived. While all this documentation is good to prove existence, my interest in genealogy goes further. These facts only tell part of my story. I desire to flesh out the daily routine as well as significant events. I'm interested in the emotional details. This is what transforms research from a boring textbook to a compelling narrative. I dream of discovering the diary of a long lost relative. What constituted their everyday life? What did they worry about? What did they celebrate? How did they live? So far, I've had no ...