The rapid expansion of genealogy as an absorbing interest is a worldwide phenomenon. To help those who would like to take up this pastime via the internet there are some good introductory websites.
If you don't have an internet connection at home or at work visit your local library or telecommunity centre and some kind person will help you with the technology.
What are your reasons for taking an interest in family history?
the loss of a parent and realising that the family stories have been lost
children doing a family tree school project
knowledge of the family history can add greatly to a sense of self in place and time
prompted by someone asking you for family details
holding a family reunion
going for a trip overseas and would like to visit the ancestral village
a family story to be investigated
hereditary medical conditions
You will be looking for a person in a particular place at a certain time
an event could be a birth/christening, a marriage or a death/burial
in a country, a state, a town/village
a shipping arrival in Australia
Start record keeping with yourself
full name
date and place of birth
marriage date and place
spouse details and names of parents including mother's maiden surname
children - full names, date and place of birth
other information such as education, occupations, residences.
Work backwards in time
Fill in family group record sheets for your brothers and sisters, parents, aunties, uncles, grandparents and their siblings.
Be accurate in recording your information and sources
Keep a book for family history research and record exact details including reference numbers and page numbers. The importance of this will become evident as you go.
Decide which line to work on first - 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great grandparents, 16 gr gr grandparents, 32 gr gr gr grandparents, 64 gr gr gr gr grandparents ...
http://users.netconnect.com.au/~jburrell/tree.html
http://users.ncable.net.au/~jburrell/gen/index.html
Obtain certificates
Search BDM indexes for the registration number to reduce the cost then apply to Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. For Victoria follow the links from this website. (form also available from post office)
http://www.dvc.vic.gov.au/bdm.htm
If it all seems too hard
take one simple step at a time, you will learn as you go
join a family or local history society
it can become a very absorbing interest
consider paying a researcher
USING THE INTERNET FOR FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH
