Select next steps

Once you've analyzed what you know about your family, it's time to decide your next steps. Is it time to visit a county courthouse? Or local library? Are there relatives you can interview? Or Internet sources to consult? Where should you start your research?

If you haven't already, take some time to read a few basic genealogy guides to become familiar with family history records and research techniques. Many excellent how-to guides have been written and one or more should be available at your local library. Online guides include:

• Ancestry.com's library
• FamilySearch.org's Research Guidance
• RootsWeb's Guide to Tracing Family Tree