Learn your lineage

Ancestral memory can fade, promoting opportunities to further understand, reconnect and preserve family history is imperative. The DC Natives team can research your genealogy and help you to create a comprehensive family tree, learn more about your heritage, and where your family may have migrated from on the way to DC. Use the contact form below to get started.

Beginners Guide to African American Family Genealogy

Top 5 Tips


  1. Speak with Your Elders

One of the most overlooked resources in genealogical research is often your elders. Typically they know a lot more than you think they do about your family history. The information may be tucked in the recesses of their mind, it may be a matter of asking the right questions to get them to recall the details. They are often excited to talk as they may not have been able to offer their reflections and memories in the past.

  1. Get Organized

Doing this work can get complicated very quickly. There are a lot of facts to keep straight. While it may seem tedious, being organized and keeping good records will be highly beneficial in the long run. A key first step is to create consistent note taking and family tree system. Be sure to track the smallest of details otherwise you may lose your way and end up on an inaccurate route..

  1. Start Researching

The field of genealogy is always expanding, particularly the online resources and offerings. Before fully committing to paid websites and memberships, explore the free options and local resources. Familysearch.com is a repository of genealogical information. The National Archives has many useful resources. Local genealogical societies and libraries are also great sources of information.

  1. Thoroughly verify facts

It is easy to get on the wrong path, ensure you thoroughly verify that you are building your tree with the correct people. Ideally, use three forms of primary sources to verify facts.

  1. Continue to Explore

The genealogy journey is never over, new pieces of information continuously become available. Reexamine records intermittently as new information is digitized everyday. Online records are only the first step, to dig deeper you must get access to local records either by going to your ancestors first known sites or sending someone to the sites to explore for you.


Resources

Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society

https://www.aahgs.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&pageId=1906


Free Family Search Genealogy Website

https://www.familysearch.org/en/