1. Start in the present

Start in the present and work from what you know – the full names and dates of birth of your immediate family.

You might have copies of birth, marriage or death certificates, which will help you to trace your family tree back further. If, for example, you have the birth certificate of one of your parents, it will give you the maiden name of his or her mother too.

Don’t worry if you don’t have copies of these documents – you can order them – you can find out how in our topic Births, Marriages and Deaths.