Golden rules of genealogy

  • ALWAYS work backwards from the known (yourself) to the unknown (forebears)
  • NEVER believe everything on a Birth, Death or Marriage certificate
  • NEVER completely trust the spelling of surnames, place names etc
  • ALWAYS check surname variants when researching
  • ALWAYS have at least two separate sources of proof for each event
  • REMEMBER that everything is only speculation until verified
  • ALWAYS photocopy certificates and important documents and leave the originals in a safe place
  • IF a document exists, read it!
  • JOIN at least one Family History Group, Genealogical Society or Historical Society
  • SHARE your information and documentation (copies only) with other researchers.