If you are doing the genealogy of his family, you're probably familiar with charts and family trees, fan charts, diagrams lineage, etc, all names and dates of their ancestors. His paintings can be top 5, 10 or 15 generations, with all the documented dates of birth, marriage, death. But how much you really know about these people? Try adding some "color" to their ancestors, giving a fuller picture of each person. Does you have any pictures of them, none of their belongings, or stories about them? Of course, the longer you are gone, the less chance you have of finding some of his things. However, you can try to document as many of the most recent as possible.

The pictures are good to show what it seemed. If you lucky enough to find pictures of someone who from childhood to adulthood, you'll have a pretty good idea of what appeared, and possibly what other family members appeared. You can get an idea of your income level of the clothes they wore or other elements in the image. Remember, however, could well be dressed in their best clothes, either for the photo, or by chance. If the photo was taken by a professional photographer, any other element of the picture may well be props the photographer.

Newspapers, journals and letters can give a good idea of what was important for the person writing them. You can also talk about other family and relatives and friends. This may help to better piece together the family, or even find them in census records, because many times family members and neighbors would move to a new area altogether or join family and friends who emigrated earlier.

Books that a person of property (or even written) can tell what their interests were, or how well educated he was, either formal education or not. Some of the stories or poems written that reflect their interests and feelings. Cookbooks may have been written by hand, in which case it could have been the favorites of Cook, or family favorites writing for a new girlfriend. Or printed cookbooks written notes Or bookmarked pages could also be an indication of well-used recipes.

Tools can tell more about an occupation of persons, or just a hobby. You may have to do some detective work to find out what unusual appearance, the tools were and how they are used.

Textiles and Embroidery may reflect the interests of women in the family. There are many different types of stitching are used by anyone at any time. However, there are some forms that are more prominent during a period of time. Quilts, comforters, sheets and pillowcases embroidered collars Tatto, needlework samplers, the work of Berlin, lace, tambour work, Trapunto, all had their periods of popularity. Identify what type of work that can help reduce the time period when it was made, which, in turn, can reduce the number of women who could have achieved.

Sometimes there are items transmitted through the family. They may be movable parts, clocks, a special glass, sets of china, family Bible, military ribbons, quilts, wedding or christening gown, jewelry, or any number of things. It is important that stories that come with these items are recorded and preserved.

Do not forget to document the stories. Write down that I remember hearing years ago. (Double check accuracy with other family members.) You could even do some oral history, to sit with family members of older and record their memories of family, growing up, school, church, jobs, jokes etc. Would not be interesting to know that this serious-looking man in the photo was his great grandfather, and in reality had a sense of humor and loved? Oral history is best met with the use of tape recorders. These tapes should be transcribed below, in a user-friendly format stored and shared with other relatives.

Finally, do not forget life! Pedigrees beginning with a person who lives and works backward. When a member of the family tree begins its future, you may not be around to answer more questions, so be sure to include photos, stories, and documents about themselves and their living relatives. Doing the family tree of life and truly long-term tree.

By paying attention to this such sources as you do your genealogy, can easily convert some of their "Black and White" ancestors "Full Color" people.

Janet Nugent holds a MA in Historical Administration and worked at local history and living history museums for a number of years. Genealogy is one of her passions, along with preserving the more tangible aspects of family history, and using these heirlooms to tell the story of family members. Get more tips on preserving your family’s history when you sign up for her newsletter at her website, http://www.PreserveYourFamilyHistory.com

Family History – made simple