Gathering Information

• Make a list of the family members you know and any information that you know about them.

• Then write down stories you would like to explore.
• Look through photo albums and select photos that would tell more about them.
• Perhaps you have some documents available to you.
• Then pick up the phone and start talking.  Most of the time aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents will be happy to talk about their lives and share information with you.  Sometimes though, there are ones who want to keep stories locked up for whatever reason.  Respect that and don't be discouraged. 
• Most importantly, have fun.
  

Helpful information to have

Before we meet, it is helpful to have certain information.
For parents, grandparents, great grandparents, their siblings, spouses, and children it is helpful to know:

• Names and name changes
• Birth dates and places
• Adoption
  
• Immigration
  
• Citizenship
• Military
  
• Societies
  
• Marriage dates, places, and spouse names
• Death dates and places
• Burial information
• Family stories and traditions
• Pictures
• News articles and other documents
• Any previous genealogy gathered on the family
  

Do not worry if you cannot gather all the information.  Often what you do have is sufficient to find what you want to know.