Question/answer » Can I start researching my own family tree?

Yes, anyone can start. You do not need any training and it costs little money. All you need is curiosity and some time.

Step 1: start with yourself

Write down what you know: your parents, your grandparents, where and when they were born, married and died. Talk to family. Older relatives often know more than you think. Collect photos, marriage booklets and memorial cards.

Step 2: see if someone has been there before you

Maybe a relative has already worked out your family tree. Search for your family name in the family trees on Genealogy Online. Did you find something? Then contact the author. Together you will get further.

Step 3: search the archives

On Open Archives you search for free in millions of records from Dutch and Belgian archives. Start with your grandparents and work back generation by generation.

Step 4: record it

Use a family tree program on your computer. There are free programs, such as Aldfaer. In it you keep all persons, dates and sources. Such a program can also create a GEDCOM file, the standard for exchanging family trees.

Step 5: share your family tree

Ready? Then you can publish your family tree on Genealogy Online. Free, in four steps. Family and other researchers can then view it and add to it.

Need help?

On the Stamboom Forum experienced researchers help beginners on their way. And on the Reference page you find the rules for good research, a dictionary of old terms and other tools.


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Find your ancestors and publish your family tree on Genealogy Online via https://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/