Published on: 17th December 2024
Have you ever wondered how you can research your family history?
🧑🧑🧒🧒 This video on our Auslan Resource Library breaks down family history and describes how to start researching your family’s history.
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Visual description of the thumbnail:
Title reads “Auslan Information Resource Hub: How can you research your family history?” and shows a man with a long white beard wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, signing in Auslan with his hands in front of his body in two fists. It includes a note “Produced by Expression Australia” and the background is a light, abstract pattern.
Transcript:
[Two people are sitting on a couch that appears to be in a reception area or waiting room. The person on the left, Person 1 or P1, has a big white beard and the person on the right, Person 2 or P2, has their hair pulled up in a ponytail and is wearing glasses.]
[P2] So how do you research family history?
[P1] To start researching your family tree, a good first step is to check the BMD registry. This is the Births, Marriages and Deaths Registry. Here, you’ll be able to find key dates related to your parents and grandparents. You can then populate this information into a diagram of your family tree, starting from yourself on the left and working through the generations towards the right.
[P2] Easy. I’m excited to start looking into my family history.
[P1] Well, you have to ensure you approach it in a methodical way, being careful not to record incorrect dates, or the incorrect spelling of names, make sure you are extra careful with the details. Some people get over excited, and lack attention to detail. So I encourage you to work your way methodically through your lineage. Starting with yourself, to your parents, to your grandparents and so on.
[P2] Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. I’m curious to know if I’m related to royalty or someone famous.
[P1] Oh, well I wouldn’t encourage anyone to get ahead of themselves. If you start there, you inevitably be wasting your time. First, start with yourself and follow each generation carefully, doing this will provide you with the most accurate information. At times, people can record incorrect dates or spelling of names. A while ago, when I first started out tracing my family tree, I was doing this on a large sheet of paper, my surname Beasley, spelt BEASLEY. Other people hear Beasley and have misspelt it. BEEASLEY. So you have to be cautious of the spelling of names.
[P2] Great. Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. So what things do I need to be aware of?
[P1] Well, I would say three important things to consider. Firstly, being flexible, at times spelling of names might be incorrect or dates not linking up. That is part of the process. Secondly, being aware that some information might be sensitive. Like unearthing family secrets. Or that there might be information that some relatives won’t want to share with you. My experience of this was with my wife’s father, who passed away and he took his secrets to the grave. When you were dead and buried 6 feet under, those questions remain unanswered. Like, why was my wife deaf? It is important to consider that this may happen. And thirdly, being aware of false stories, and trying to stick to the truth. With this, it’s important to keep an open mind, and do your research to verify the truth of the story. That’s important.
[P2] Thanks. What’s the best process to start researching?
[P1] Start by having conversations with your cousins, parents, grandparents. They are good places to start. Also begin documenting and mapping out on paper your family tree. Be sure to record names correctly. You can use a notepad or a journal. You can use online tools like: Ancestry or My Heritage, or family search. They’re good places to start.
[P2] Thank you so much for the information. I’m excited to start my research.
[P1] Don’t hesitate to reach out for any help.
[P2] Thank you so much.
[P1] Thank you.
