How to join Most of these sites require membership, although there are no fees charged. To join, simply provide basic information such as your name, date of birth, location and email address. Once you're a member, the site will send you regular tips, news and updates about your family tree. After logging in, you can start building your tree. Now that all the necessary information needed to start a family history were discussed, one needs to know the other sources aside from living relatives and public documents. There are several websites that could help anyone who would want to start with his own genealogical search. The leader of which are the LDS-compiled genealogy that resulted into the International Genealogical Index, which happens to be the largest compilation of genealogical data through microfilm. Check the old boxes in your storage room to see some old pictures of your ancestors, diaries and the like which could help you identify your ancestors. Ask your family and other close relative to help you out. Step two is the phase wherein you will take your family back to the year of 1870. It is an important date to all African Americans who are residing in the United States because it is the year wherein all blacks names were listed. org to be able to get the info you need on the location of the LDS family history library as well as its history. Find the library directions as well as a layout of all the records of the library, and any accommodations of nearby hotels if you plan to go through your own genealogical search. Note the hours of the library s opening and closing. Tracing Your Family Roots through Genealogy Research Conducting a genealogy research is not so uncommon these days, when there seems to be a resurgence of interest in family history. It reached its peak in the 70s when the novel 'Roots' was published. It was written by Alex Haley, who was able to trace his African roots during the research period for the book. Disappearances from records There are other reasons that people's names disappear from a record other than death. They could have moved to another county, state or even to another country. They could also have gotten married. Another possible cause of sudden disappearances may be attributed to geographical and political boundaries, which might have changed during the time your ancestor lived.