If you love a puzzle, one of the best ones is right under your nose. It's a puzzle that can connect you with others, expand your social circle, and help your family along the way.
This magical puzzle is called genealogy, and it is easier than ever to do.
Most people can name their ancestors back to their grandparents or great grandparents. Some might even know the great-great grandparents, but few know the 5xgreats.
Right from your computer, nearly anyone can trace their lineage three or four generations in an hour or two. But with some time, you can go much farther back.
The information is all available online. No more trips to county clerk's offices across the nation. And that information is expanding every day.
Start with roughing in on paper a simple genealogy of the family you know. You might be surprised at the gaps in your knowledge. Maiden names for women can be difficult.
Then use your computer. Census records are free online, and you can search by name and place to find a reference to your ancestor. For free records, try familysearch.org.
When you hit a wall, as genealogists say, you can join internet groups that focus on the places your ancestor lived. You can get tips from members as to the best places to find information.
Watch out, though. The United States and Canada are new countries, genealogically speaking. If your ancestor moved to the frontier in 1820 to 1840, you might quickly hit a wall. On the bright side, if you ancestor was a Quaker, you will quickly be able to fill up your ancestral tree.
So many new services exist today that allow you to make a book out of your research. You can gift your family members with a book that will tell them where they came from and who their ancestors were.
If you have a Mac computer, you can create a book right from your photos app. Then you can electronically send your book to be printed at a relatively low cost, depending on how many pages there are.
Many other book makers online let you use their book designs to create your finished genealogy.
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