Begin with what is known
Record names and relationships while preserving spelling variants. Keep family memory separate from information confirmed by documentary evidence.
Heritage · Family heritage
Genealogy: A Family History in Documents
Genealogy connects names, places and family evidence into a history that can be checked and shared.
At a glance
Why this guide matters
This page offers an ethical, practical path from home archives and oral accounts to cross-checking records, marking uncertainty and preserving copies with care.
Material status
This is an editorial guide for the initiative’s development version. It explains an approach and does not replace professional medical, legal or financial advice.
Practical route
Three steps for responsible work
Begin with context, record decisions and preserve each person’s right to revisit the terms.
Verify and cross-check
Compare each date, place and relationship across more than one source. Record discrepancies instead of smoothing them away.
Respect privacy
Obtain consent before publishing information about living people. Store sensitive files securely and limit access appropriately.
Working checklist
What to check before moving on
- Create a list of names, spelling variants and unknown dates.
- Give every digital file a clear, stable name.
- Record the source and retrieval date for every item.
- Keep working copies separate from original files.
Both photographs on this page are unique object-based AI illustrations. They do not depict real people, traditions or places.
FAQ
Common questions
Where should I begin a family tree?
Start with yourself and close relatives, then add documents and clearly mark unverified information.
Can everything I find be published?
No. Consider privacy, copyright, archive terms and the consent of living people.
Have experience or expert insight?
Tell us how you could contribute. Material is published only after rights, sources and consent have been reviewed.