Your Ancestors Are Calling: A Beginner's Guide to Researching Your Family History Online

It’s human nature to wonder where we come from. The generations that walked before us have stories to tell—stories that can reveal fascinating truths about our families, our history, and ourselves. Thanks to the internet, uncovering that past is more accessible than ever.

In a recent podcast, renowned genealogist and author Nan Bosler shared her expert advice on how to begin this rewarding journey. Here are the essential tips to get you started.

It's More Than a Family Tree, It's a Story

First, forget the idea of a boring chart filled with names and dates. According to Nan, the real magic of genealogy is discovering the stories and placing your ancestors within the historical landscape they inhabited.

"A family tree that contains just names and dates is rather boring," Nan explains. "Every one of [your ancestors] is a strand that I could weave into a tapestry that shows the story of my family."

Through her own research, Nan discovered a great-great-grandfather sent to Australia as a convict in 1814. His resourceful wife followed him with their five children, then successfully petitioned the governor to release her husband by arguing it was cheaper than the government having to support her family. It's these incredible personal histories that bring your heritage to life.

Your First Step Isn't Online

Before you even open your web browser, the most important resource is likely in your own family.

Talk to your older relatives.

Nan’s top tip is to start by interviewing family members. But don't just ask them to "tell you about the family." Instead, spark their memory with specific, open-ended questions about their own lives:

• "What was school like for you?"

• "What games did you play at lunchtime?"

• "Did you have to travel far to get to school?"

"Whatever they say is going to be valuable," Nan advises. These conversations can unearth amazing details you never knew, like the story of her father who, as an apprentice electrician, helped lay the wires for the trains on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Your Digital Toolbox: The Best Online Resources

Once you’ve gathered stories from family, it’s time to head online. Nan recommends starting with free Australian resources before considering paid services.

Top Free Resources:

• Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages (BDM): A fantastic starting point for basic information about your ancestors. (Official certificates cost money).

• The Ryerson Index: A database of death notices published in Australian newspapers.1

• Trove: A "treasure trove" from the National Library of Australia, containing digitised newspapers, journals, maps, and more.2

• WikiTree: A free, collaborative worldwide family tree.3 Nan loves it because it requires users to add references, ensuring the information is verified and accurate.

Paid Services & Pro-Tips:

• Websites like Findmypast, FamilySearch, and Ancestry.com offer vast international records but require a subscription.

• Pro-Tip: If you can't afford multiple subscriptions, consider joining a local historical or genealogical society, like the Society of Australian Genealogists. Members often get free access to these premium databases through the society's library.

A Critical Warning: Protect Your Privacy

The internet can be a place for scammers and identity thieves. When building your family tree online, privacy is paramount.

• Protect the Living: Never post the full names, addresses, or personal details of living relatives on a public website.

• Beware the Mother's Maiden Name: This is a common security question. Be very careful about sharing it publicly, as it can be used by others to impersonate you.

• Nan's Method: Nan keeps all the records of her living children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in a physical file at home—never on her computer or an online family tree.

The DNA Question: Is It Worth It?

DNA testing is a powerful new tool in genealogy that can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic origins. You simply provide a saliva sample and a company like Ancestry.com analyzes it.

However, Nan cautions that you must weigh the benefits against the risks. "Many people are hesitant," she notes. "They're terrified it might reveal something in their health that would prevent them from getting insurance, for instance." The fear is that personal genetic data could be sold to marketing, pharmaceutical, or insurance companies.

The advice? Read the privacy policy very carefully before you commit.

Final Words of Wisdom

• Keep a Notebook: Jot down every discovery.

• Create a "Display Book": Use a folder with plastic sleeves to store physical mementos like wedding invitations, certificates, and photos.

• Record the Story of Heirlooms: That old china plate or those whale teeth on the mantelpiece have a story. Write it down before it’s forgotten.

As Nan beautifully puts it, "Be just as proud of the ordinary worker as the duke or the prince... because it's those ordinary people who are the very foundation of our lives."

This is a summary of "Unlock your family history" from the Be Connected Podcast