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. In order for you to efficiently trace your ancestors, research on genealogical records like the census, cemeteries, tax records and the likes. Researching your own family history is as easy as 1-2-3 Believe it or not, the ability to record the history, the situation of your family now as well as the prospects for their future could be a pastime that is rewarding in the long run. The following are some of the things you could do to know more about your own family history. A researcher could also publish his genealogical sites. Genebase.com- focuses on several areas of genealogy such as analysis of DNA, family trees and finding ancestors through last name search. Under this, we can find the famous DNA Ancestry Project. Ancestry.co.uk (for United Kingdom and Ireland)- has a 14-day free trial. It is important in matters requiring an heir, especially to royal titles. Tracing back a person's family history can mean the difference between the crown and the boot. Genealogy is also used to confirm or deny legitimacy and is a very useful tool in determining diseases that have a huge impact to modern-day families. John the carpenter, John the cook and John the smith later on became Messrs. Carpenter, Cook or Cooke and Smith. Other names such as Taylor, Bishop, Miller and Carter all describe what an individual's ancestors did for a living. Searching for your family name A lot of resources online may be used to help you find out more about your roots. You could save these interviews either on DVD or CD for a lot easier viewing and storing. Make a type-tree graph Another suggestion you could do is by making your own tree master graph either through electronic means or via paper. Insert the names of your ancestors, the date of their births, deaths, marriage as you discover each detail.