Getting started with family history

How to dive into family history research without drowning

Starting a family history project can feel like trying to assemble a jigsaw puzzle, but without the picture on the box. It’s messy, confusing and – let’s be honest – totally overwhelming. But don’t worry. If you want to uncover your family’s past (or just figure out where all your quirky traits came from), you have come to the right place. With a little strategy, some organisation and a dash of patience, you will uncover hidden gems from your family’s past in no time! Ready to get started?

Here are five key steps for beginners on how to start family history research:
 

1. Devise your strategy – Define your purpose and focus on a few specific goals to avoid getting lost in endless searches. 
   
   Knowing your goal will guide your research and keep you from getting sucked into endless, time-wasting rabbit holes. Set parameters for your search. Pick 3 key things you want to find and focus on those. Trust me, aimless clicking around on genealogy websites might seem fun at first, but it’s a surefire way to end up more confused than when you started.
    
2. Organise your research – Use digital tools and folders to keep track of documents, dates and findings. 
   
   Logically named digital folders are your best friend. Have an email folder for research-related information, a document folder for your findings and a cloud backup (or USB drive) for good measure. And for the love of all that is organised, create consistent file names. You’ll thank me later when you can easily find that 1841 census record without sifting through a thousand other files.
    
3. Start where you are – Begin with your own life and documents, then build backward through your family tree.
   
   You are already an expert in your family. Sure, you do not have all the answers, but you know the basics. Ensure you back up your information with official records. Use a collaborative family tree tool online. Sites like Ancestry, FamilySearch and Findmypast are all solid options. Bonus: These sites let you attach photos, documents and notes directly to each family member.  They also offer collections of indexes and records.
    
4. Talk to living relatives – Collect oral histories and documents from family members to enrich your research.
   
   Talking to living relatives can reveal personal stories, memories, and details that do not appear in official records. These conversations often uncover family traditions, migration stories or forgotten connections that point your research in new directions. Relatives may also have photos, letters, certificates or heirlooms that fill important gaps in your family history.
    
5. Keep a research log – Track your progress and dead ends to avoid repeating work. 
   
   The devil is in the detail. Every time you uncover a new piece of information, write down the date you found it. It will keep you organised and help you when you come across key pieces of the puzzle. There are many templates available online, for example through Ancestry Free Charts and Forms.

Your research adventure begins

Now that you have collected some basic family history information and are organised, it is time for the fun part — the hunt!  State Library of Queensland is bursting with resources to help you uncover the stories of your ancestors.

Start with the Family History Research Guides, your treasure map to a world of records and archives. Follow the links to uncover details of births, deaths and marriages, immigration and shipping, convict registers, electoral rolls, directories and census records to name just a few. Each discovery brings you closer to the lives and moments that shaped your family’s past.

If you have First Nations heritage, explore the Who’s Your Mob video guides – a beautiful starting point for connecting with Country, kin, and community.  Explore First Nations cultures through images, manuscripts, the Margaret Lawrie Collection, the Tindale Genealogical Collection, oral histories and digital stories. 

Dive deeper into the Family History Resources and Indexes to find unexpected gems. You might stumble across a name in the Convict Transportation Registers Database, uncover a tale of courage in the South African War Soldier Index or trace family ties through the Tindale Genealogical Collection Name Index. Every click opens another door to the past.

And do not forget the magic of newspapers. They are true treasure troves for family historians. You might find your ancestors mentioned in an article or family notice or glimpse the rhythms of their daily lives through local news. Explore contemporary and historical papers from Queensland and beyond, available online, on microfilm or in print. 

As you dig, remember family history is built layer by layer. Begin with the solid facts, then peel back the stories that bring them to life. Once you’ve explored the Australian records, let your curiosity carry you across oceans – to discover ancestors around the world through global family history websites. Every name you find, every document you uncover, adds a new piece to your family’s incredible story.

Need a hand with your research? We are here to help!

You are never alone when exploring State Library’s collections. Our friendly and experienced librarians are ready to assist – whether you are visiting in person or researching from home. Drop by and chat to us on Levels 2, 3 or 4 for quick questions, or reach out via our Ask a librarian phone or online chat from home. If your enquiry needs a little more digging, simply book an appointment or submit an online enquiry – we will help you uncover the answers you are looking for.

State Library services are with you every step of the way. It is easy to become a State Library member onsite or online. So, open the archives, follow the clues, and enjoy the adventure – your history is waiting to be found. 

Further readings

• State Library of Queensland Family History blogs
• Family History for beginners and beyond/ compiled by Danny O’Neill
• Family history : a practical guide to research / Ray Thorburn