Before I started writing my weekly newspaper column, researching our family tree was my hobby. It was a hobby I set aside, however, when I started my website in 1996. So the genealogical inquiry I got this week came as quite a surprise.
It seems that a small, dedicated group of hobby genealogists has traced my paternal grandmother’s Russian family back to 1798! Wow! While there is still some doubt as to which branch my family hangs off of, there is no doubt that my family fits into their tree somewhere.
Genealogy is the second most popular hobby in America, surpassed only by gardening. If you’d like to research your family ancestry online, but don’t know where to start, try these two free searches. Although both are gateways to paid services, they do offer some free information as an enticement to join: Ancestry.com and Genealogy.com.
The genealogy column is now online.
I’ve gotten so excited about my renewed interest in genealogy…. that I’m writing a Surfnetkids column on the topic. Look for it in about two weeks.
Hi Barbara,
What a breakthrough on finding out more about your paternal grandmother’s Russian family! Congratulations on a great genealogical “find.” Fun to knock down those brick walls, isn’t it?
May I suggest that your readers check out the website for the Genealogy Forum on AOL? Lots of good information on there, with more being added all the time.
AOL members have the advantage of downloading files from the Genealogy Forum Library, reading newsletters filled with tips and tricks, viewing articles on How To Get Started and other topics, or posting on message boards. Browse the Forum if you have time — and if you don’t have the time, use the “Search the Forum” feature to go directly to what interests you! An added plus is the personal touch: five Genealogy Forum chat rooms staffed by knowledgeable hosts and frequented by the same sort of hobby genealogists who traced that Russian family of yours.
The public website is at http://www.genealogyforum.com. AOL members are always welcome to visit the Genealogy Forum at Keyword: ROOTS.
Who knows, you might just help someone else to knock down a brick wall or two!
Love “Surfing the Net with Kids” — keep up the good work!
Lynn
Check out this website:
surnameheirlooms.com