Record keeping

When you start working on your family research, a tablet of paper or a set of pre-printed forms usually feels like it will be all that you need. Before long, however, you will find that you have dozens and then hundreds and then thousands of names and dates stored.

The best way to deal with all of this information is with a computer program dedicated to genealogy. These programs make it possible to keep adding new information without have to re-type all of those relationships. Best yet, they offer places to keep notes and miscellaneous information.

One word to the wise: write down the source of all of your information. At the beginning, it feels like you'll be able to remember where each bit of information came from. After a while, you may have two pieces of information that conflict and, if you don't remember where each came from, you won't be able to evaluate which one is probably right. Good software packages offer space to enter the source of each fact.

Family Tree Maker: This is one of the most popular ways to organize your research. It features multiple types of family trees, storage of photographs and other images, and the ability to generate books for sharing your research with others. Click here for more information on Family Tree Maker at Ancestry.com.

Personal Ancestral File. This is available as a free download. It does not have the full range of capabilities of Family Tree Maker. Click here to download the Personal Ancestral File.

Geni. This is a free online tool for understanding and staying in touch with your family. Geni lets you create a family tree through a simple interface. You can expand your tree by adding relatives' email addresses. They will be invited to join your tree and can add other relatives. Your tree will continue to grow as relatives invite other relatives. Click here for more information on Geni.