Discover Your Story — One Step at a Time
Curious about your family history? You don’t need experience. You just need a place to begin. We’ll guide you.
Create a family tree online or on paper where you can save your research.
Begin with Yourself
- Record:
- Full names (include maiden names)
- Dates and places of birth
- Parents and grandparents
- Pedigree Charts and Family Group Sheets
- Then:
- Interview relatives
- Gather photos and documents
- Look for Bibles, certificates, obituaries
Organize Your Research
Use Online Resources
Understand the Records
- Census Records
- Vital Records (Birth, Marriage, & Death)
- Published Family Histories
- Church Records
- Probate Records
- Land Records
- Military Records
- Immigration Records
DNA Basics
Research in Maryland and Beyond
- Maryland State Archives
- Maryland Vital Records
- Kuethe Library Historical and Genealogical Research Center
- Archives and Libraries
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Copying Trees Without Sources
- Skipping Generations
- Working From the Past to the Present
- Ignoring Maiden Names
- Not Citing Sources
Get Help and Take the Next Steps
You don't have to do this alone.