This document discusses researching family history through web-based genealogical resources. It will cover genealogical research information, interviewing family members, searching for ancestors' data, and creating a family tree. The key benefits of online research are reduced costs, increased accessibility of records across locations, and easy organization of found documents. Challenges include some documents only being available offline and inability to discern personality traits only from online profiles. The document recommends beginning by researching yourself and working backwards in time, using consistent family record sheets for interviews. Tracing family roots through web-based tools can be both engaging and valuable for establishing a sense of history and family foundation.

1. Robert F. Brown
Clemson University
HRD 860 Stephen Bronack, PhD
November 4, 2011

2. Researching your family history can be an intimidating task.
Yet it is one of the most important exercises an individual
can assume as history creates a foundation for family to
understand who they are and how they have come into
existence.

3.  This web based training is designed to
address the opportunity for historical
findings, documentation, and stories about
ancestors of your family. Census
records, death certificates, birth
certificates, and primary source information
can confirm religion, careers, family
connections, and stories of the past; these
events of the past are unique and with
consequence.

4. The key factors that will be addressed in this web
based training are:
Genealogical Resource Research Information
 How to Interview Family Members
 How to Search for Your Ancestors’ Data
 Why Create A Family Tree

5.  To successfully enhance the knowledge
and insight for individuals interested in
initiating historical family research using
web based educational technologies

6. The Pros and Cons of family history research in a web
based educational environment are:
Pros
Cons
•Reduced expense and increased
convenience since all of this information is •Some documents may not be accessible via web
accessible via web based environment
•More information is accessible across •Personality traits can not be ascertained through
states and internationally via web access genealogy web sites
•Organization and storage options are easy •There are fees involved with subscriptions and
processes via web based genealogy multiple access sites
subscriptions as documents that are
identified can readily be electronically
stored and easily retrieved for fast
reference

7.  Genealogical research is deemed a viable
topic that provokes an effective learning
experience in the world of web based
training. According to Hull, “Genealogy
websites have been established by some of
the world’s most well-respected authorities
on genealogy.

8.  This research can also be found in the
form of tailored websites with
repository search capacity on
specified topics, electronic interactive
family record sheets, and databases
with system integration for custom
reports, trend charts, smart stories,
facts, sources and notes.

9.  According to Hull, You should begin your
research documentation with yourself and
work backwards in time as you are your best
resource of information. Ascertain as many
documents in an effort to validate the
information that you are recording (even what
you are sure of requires reference
documentation).

10.  First choose and open your web based educational software of choice
(i.e. Ancestry.com) to initiate the search for your Ancestors.
 Next, key into the system scant facts that you have identified on one of
your family members.
 Then choose a census year that you believe is relative to this person’s
birth, death or lifetime then begin your search.
 The educational software will work with you to derive as close a match as
possible to the individual in question and thus will allow you to examine
and make further inquiry regarding new facts

11.  Interviewing family members is important. You should
review different types of Family Record Sheets in
order to understand and decide what type of
information is important for your research goals.
Choose a record sheet for all of your interviews in
order to create a level of consistency.

12. This is an example of a Family Record
Sheet. You should maintain an
electronic version of this document
on each and every family group and
thus family member. As you can
see, this sheet will help you adhere to
standardization of questions. This is
important because you always want
to interview family members in a
standardized/methodical format by
asking the same questions to each
family group/member each time and
in the same order. This practice will
help you to retain organized records
and will ensure consistency of
information.

13.  This is payoff for all of your hard work and
dedication. The family tree is the canvas for all
of the research connections that you have
identified and it acts as a stakeholder for
precisely where each individual falls within the
family lineage. It is the visual representation of
the genealogy of both your ancestors as well
as your descendents.

14. Once you have gathered
and stored all your family
data in the system, it is
now time to see the
results. Here, we have an
example of one of many
different types of Family
Tree formats. This format
can be easily populated
and downloaded from
most genealogical
research web sites.

15.  Tracing your family roots can be both
invigorating and rewarding. It is an
extraordinary example of a topic with
methodology that aligns with web-based
education. It offers multiple benefits for
establishing family foundation and life-long
records. It is a pivotal tool for identifying your
place in history.