• From: Southern New Jersey, USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-23
  • Posts: 2,966

Topic: Tracing your Ancestry

I went to a great party over the holidays and meet some very fine folks from Scotland and Ireland, who have now lived in the US for about 20 years.  The Irish clan coincidentally have my same last name and are from the Donegal area of Ireland, just like my Dad's family.  I know its a long shot that we may be related, Donegal is a big area, but it got me interested in tracing my roots.  My Dad doesn't really have that much info beyond his grandfather. 

So, has anyone used any particular search sites on the computer, like ancestory.com etc.?

StringsforaCURE~Helping cancer patients one STRING at a time.
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Angela's Website

  • From: Waukesha, WI U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2007-09-18
  • Posts: 892

Re: Tracing your Ancestry

Try familysearch.org first. This is the free geneaology records the Mormon Church built. My sister used it to do our family tree. You don't have to be a Mormon to use it (we are not) and they seem to have kept records on the families of everyone in the U.S.

When I was a child I spoke as a child, But all I heard was how I should get ahead,
Now growing up it ain't anything but all This indecision with these debts and doubts
And worries hanging over my head. When I was a child I spoke as a child,
I wish I could remember what I said.

ReverendPaul's Website

  • From: Southern New Jersey, USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-23
  • Posts: 2,966

Re: Tracing your Ancestry

Thanks for all the replies, I'll check them out. smile

StringsforaCURE~Helping cancer patients one STRING at a time.
http://stringsforacure.com/

Angela's Website

  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 3,742

Re: Tracing your Ancestry

Hi Angela..I posted about mine awhile back, my wife has been doing alot of research on my family...we know that 2 country are my origins...Italy on my moms....Germany on my fathers side...and some stops in between, before we get to the U.S....looks like Heinz 57 to me smile

Shred

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Re: Tracing your Ancestry

Angela
I
know genealogy.com helped me.

It's a long story but in short I was adopted. I searched located both my birth parents. (Yes it's been a great experience!) I was able to trace my bio-fathers family back to around 1640 in America, but for a time I couldn't trace my bio-mothers family. Her father (my maternal grandfather) was killed on the railroad when my bio-mother was 3 or 4 and my maternal grandmother distanced herself (along with my mother and uncle) from my grandfathers family. I placed a post on genealogy.com a few years ago requesting any info about my maternal grandfather/great grandfather. Last year I was contacted by a 2nd cousin who I put in touch with my mother and uncle. I now have my mothers family traced back to the Jamestown Settlement. This summer we're having a family reunion for my mothers family.

It takes time and patience so don't get frustrated and give up. Put on your detective cap and have fun! Also it helps to have an open mind because you'll be surprised at what you'll find out!!

Good Luck!!!
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