CNNdotCOM Tools: Tracing your family cyber-tree

In researching this story, Flynn learned more about the emigration of her grandmother (above) from England    VIDEO CNN's Mary Kathleen Flynn shows you the tools for climbing your family tree Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     QUICKVOTE Have you used the Web to look into your family history? Yes No View Results     RESOURCES IDG stories on genealogy tools FamilyHistory.com Genealogy.Org Journal of Online Genealogy Genealogy.com

From Mary Kathleen Flynn
CNNdotCOM Correspondent

(CNN) - A recent poll found that 60 percent of Americans are interested in tracing their family tree -- up from 45 percent five years ago. Genealogists say the Internet makes it easier to track down historical records, archival resources and even long-lost relatives.

There are thousands of Web sites that help you trace your family tree -- a site called Cindy's List outlines more than 62,000 genealogy links alone. To narrow your search, visit Ancestry.com, where you can explore various historical databases, including census records and a Social Security death index.

A good place to start searching for a deceased family member is on the Social Security index. After you find who you're looking for, you can send away for that person's Social Security card application, which could tell you date and place of birth, mother's maiden name and even place of work when the Social Security application was submitted.

To get your own copy of the Social Security card application, click on the death index's Write a Letter feature, which automatically generates a request letter including the family member's Social Security number and your contact information. Print the letter, include $7 per copy, and send it through U.S. mail.

Sometimes continuing to trace a background on the Web requires a little bricks-and-mortar research. Check the Web site of your branch of the National Archives to find out the kind of information it offers, types of databases, and how to do your search. After visiting the archives, you may be better prepared to further your research on Web genealogy sites like FamilySearch.org.

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Cyndi's List
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National Archives
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