By Rachel Christian
(Courtesy of Family Tree Magazine)
What does your last name mean? What’s a second cousin twice removed? And what’s the deal with family crests?
These are just a few of the common questions you might encounter when you start exploring your family history. In this article, we’ll provide answers to these and many other genealogy questions we’ve received from readers throughout the years. We’ll also reveal the truth behind some common myths, plus give tips for organizing and sharing your findings.
Share these answers with the newbie genealogist in your life—or brush up on them yourself!
In This Article
How do I start researching my genealogy?
2. Where does my last name come from? What does it mean?
3. What is the best way to build a family tree?
4. What are second cousins? What does “removed” mean?
5. How do I find my family’s crest and coat of arms?
6. How do I find out if a family story is true?
7. Can I find my ancestors for free?
8. How should I organize my genealogy research?
9. I’m stuck and I’ve tried everything. What do I do now?
10. How do I find records that aren’t online or indexed?
11. How do you research ancestors who lived prior to 1800?
12. What is the best way to share my research?
13. How do I preserve my research for future generations?