The first step in working on any part of your family tree is to start with writing down what you know. We recommend using pedigree charts and family group sheets to record the information.
These forms help by organizing what you know in a way that makes it easy for you, and anyone helping you, to see what you already have and where the gaps may be. Misbach Enterprises has a collection of free charts that include some, like the pedigree and family group records, that can be either printed or filled out in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Other family history charts you may find helpful:
- Adoptive/Step Family Ancestral Chart by Mark Butler from www.TracingYourGenealogy.com
- Family Unit Chart from the Mid-Continent Public Library which has many creative and helpful forms
- a chart specifically designed for children by Misbach Enterprises
All of the forms mentioned above are available in formats (pdf or jpg) that allow you to type into them on the screen. Not all this information can be saved, however, so it is a good idea to take screenshots and/or print multiple copies just in case.