Family Reunion
Drove down and back to the reunion yesterday, a welcome break from the show.
Good to see all the folks. Spent some time talking to my dad’s cousin, who has been trying to track down who we are and where we all come from, and as it’s an unusual enough name, we’re having limited success. I keep trying though, I want to leave some record for the next generation. I’m, looking at software and services, if anyone has any suggestions.
Og: Broderbund’s “Family Tree Maker” used to be the easiest program to use. My copy is too old to use on my XP machine, but I’m looking for a more modern version, since my family is Mormon, and have genealogy records that go waaaay back. Have fun. It’s an enjoyable project.
Liz
I’ve looked at that one and also at Roots Magic, (http://www.rootsmagic.com/overview.htm) they both seem like good software. I may end up testing several.
Family reunions are always nice it seems.
I’ll second Family Tree Maker. Its worked for me for over 12 years, in several variations. You can usually pick it up in Sam’s or Costco for $50 or less. Its a versatile (sp?) program, enabling you to print many different types of trees. Also, try joining a genealogical society for your ethnic group(s) and/or geographical area(s) of origin.
Work your way from you to your parents, grandparents, etc. Interview the old folks in your family ASAP, before the Grim Reaper or Dr. Alzheimer destroys their precious and irreplaceable memories. Get as much hard paper documentation as possible, and organize it. You not only want to be able to put names on a piece of paper, but to show that these are correct. Never assume ANYTHING – if you have doubts about whether someone is an ancestor or relative, or about the exact relationship between 2 people, note it.
This project will keep you interested for the rest of your life (and busy for much of it). Do a few family reunions – meeting your relatives (esp. the distant ones, who are far more likely to put their best face forward to you) is one of the big objectives. Oh, and teach your family history to your kids and grandkids. Good luck.