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PATIENT EMPOWERMENT NETWORK
Discover your History and Leave a Legacy Getting Started
Gerri Smoluk, PhD, AML Network Manager
Consider getting a DNA test to find relatives who may be able to help you in your search. Ancestry.com, 23andMe.com, and MyHeritage.com are several sites that provide DNA testing. Your results will include a list of DNA relatives who are in their database and access to available geneaology information. You can also upload your results to other sites such as GEDmatch to find even more relatives. At times it can feel like you are a detective searching for clues. Review all documents you find and keep copies. New clues can show up in unexpected places. Many records have now been digitized and are available online. Documenting your family history is a great way to leave a legacy & even discover “new” relatives. Using the internet, searching for your family history has never been easier. Start by collecting as much information as you can from family members including relative’s names, places (be as specific as possible), and photos. Create a family tree and search databases for clues. There are many online tutorials and genealogy websites to help you get started. Ancestry.com, Geni.com, Familysearch.org, and Myhertiage.com are just a few. Many have a free trial period. Social media sites such as Facebook have many groups focused on genealogy searching. Find one that relates to your background/ethnicity to find more clues. There are many online videos to aid in your search (e.g., YouTube). The Brigham Young University (BYU) Family History Library (https://fh.lib.byu.edu/) has many online resources and tutorials.
As you learn more you may want to hire a professional genealogist to aid in your search especially in foreign countries where language may be a barrier.
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