Have you ever come across an old black-and-white photograph in your home and wondered about the people in the picture? How are these people related to you? Where did they live? When did they come to this country and where did they come from?

A great way to find out the answers to these questions is to create a family tree. The first step is gathering information. Start with your immediate family and work your way back. Write down names, birthdates, birthplaces, etc. Record any medical information you find. Did they suffer from mental health problems like depression? Did they have cancer? Problems with alcohol use? Did they live a long time? All of these details can help keep your family informed and healthy.

How To Gather Information

Interview your eldest living relative and any other willing family members

Check Internet genealogy sites to see if your family tree has been created by another relative. If there isn't one, set up a family site at MyFamily.com or another online location.

Find documents on the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Web site. Some census, naturalization, and military records are now available on the Web site. Most census records from earlier than 1930 must be viewed on microfilm, which can be purchased or rented from NARA. There also is a section in which to research slavery records called "Freedmen's Bureau."

Visit libraries to search their records. Public libraries can house valuable city census and other records. You may want to visit the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, UT, the largest genealogical library in the world. There also are more than 3,000 Family History Centers around the world where you can research records in the Salt Lake database.

Go to American Family Immigration History Center. On this site you can look up immigration records from Ellis Island, create a family scrapbook, and search for names of passengers on ships that entered New York through Ellis Island as early as the 1890s.

Create a scrapbook of your findings. Paste in pictures, records, and other information you gather. You may also want to get quotes or family stories from your relatives and include them in your scrapbook. Then, share the book with your relatives and ask them to record their own thoughts and memories. They might even have valuable information to add.

Create a video of your relatives telling stories about your family or talking about family traditions. The stories can be funny, serious, sad, happy - whatever works for your family! Add to the video at holidays and other events when your family gathers together.

Hold a family reunion! Maybe it's time to meet those far-away relatives. Bring your scrapbook, video camera, and a curious attitude, and get to know more about those long branches of your family tree.

By making a family tree you find out more about yourself and those who lived before you. A family tree provides you with your own history and sense of roots. You may also discover living relatives you did not know about and get a chance to build new relationships. Start that family tree today - get it growing!

About the Author

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SAMHSA works to improve the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, alcohol and drug addiction treatment, and mental health services. Includes links to support groups, information resources, events and articles.