So, you are interested in Genealogy? You are not alone. TV shows, literary nonfiction, and the availability of home DNA test kits have combined with easily available online resources have created a surge of popularly in the subject. You may have seen TV shows like PBS's "Finding your Roots" or BBC's "Who Do You Think You Are?," and wondered what your family history would reveal. Perhaps one of your relatives took a DNA test, got excited about the results, and encouraged other family take one too. It could be your faith places significant value in researching your ancestry. Whatever the reason you have caught the genealogy bug and are eager to start tracing your roots.
Before you get started and dive into creating a family tree, pause and plan your project. Why are you interested in your family history and/or genealogy? What are you hoping to learn? Having a goal or an idea of your end result can help guide your research, as well as help you avoid getting lost in the labyrinth of family lineages.
