What do want to find out?

Before you get started on serious research you need to decide what your aims are.

There are three main outcomes for family history research.

A direct male lineage - Following the male heir but recording their wives and other children

A direct ancestor chart - Following the male and female sides of the family back in a direct line

An extended family tree - Following every ancestor as far back as possible

The time taken for each of the three tasks grows to the extent that a direct lineage chart may contain 40 names while an extended family tree can easily have many thousands of names.

Unless you are clear in your aims you will end up with an extended family tree and a never ending project.

Having said that many people start with the aim of a direct male lineage tree and find the task so interesting that they continue.

Whatever your aim it is a good idea to concentrate on a direct male or direct ancestor chart as the centrepiece before expanding onto the extended family tree.