(NAPSA)—If you’re like most people, your family is important to you—even relatives you’ve never met. More and more Americans are discovering the joys of learning more about who they are and where they came from; according to one study, more than 60 percent of all American adults are interested in pursuing their family history. Your heritage is something to be proud of. Learning about your family’s past is how you find your place in history. e Start with what you know— Fill out a pedigree chart, either on paperor online. Fill in as much as you can based on memory, then leave question marks indicating what you'll need to research. You can download a printable family chart at Ancestry.com. Consider using genealogy software—You'll find a variety of software designed specifically for family history research. One program to help you easily compile and organize data is Family Tree Maker. Look for records in your home—Scour your own attic for family bibles, photographs, diaries, journals, letters, scrapbooks, legal records, baby books and—most importantly—birth, marriage and deathcertificates. Interview relatives—You can begin to fill in the blanks on your pedigree chart by asking relatives for information. Remember to record or videotape the interview for posterity. Hit the Web—Online databases, such as those on Ancestry. com, can be a hugehelp. The site The worldwide reach of the Internet can help you learn about your past. provides the largest collection of family history records online (more than three billion names). Users can search the records from their home computers. e Pay attention to spelling. Variations in spelling (especially surname spellings) can affect the amount of information that you find. Be sure to try alternate spellings every time you search for a name. Cite your sources—As with any major research project, you'll want to ensure accuracy by keeping track of your sources. Join a network—Sharing your questions with other genealogists can help you establish a strong information network. Beginning genealogy classes are also available on the Internet through Web sites such as RootsWeb.com. For more information, visit www.Ancestry.com, www.Roots Web.com and www.Genealogy.com.
