How to research and uncover hidden family stories.

As a production company focused on telling the unique and compelling stories of regular people, we at Bookmark Films understand the importance of family history. For many of us, our families are the cornerstone of our identity, and uncovering hidden stories about our ancestors can be a fascinating and rewarding experience.

But where do you start when it comes to researching your family history? It can be a daunting task, especially if you're not sure where to look or what to look for. That's why we've put together this guide on how to research and uncover hidden family stories about your family.

First and foremost, it's important to gather as much information as you can about your immediate family. Talk to your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins to get a sense of what you already know about your family tree. Ask them about their memories, experiences, and any stories they might have about your ancestors. This can be a great starting point and can help you identify gaps in your knowledge that you can then fill in through further research.

Once you've gathered all the information you can from your immediate family, it's time to start digging deeper. There are many resources available to help you research your family history, including online databases, genealogical societies, and libraries. These resources can provide you with valuable information about your ancestors, such as their names, dates of birth and death, and places of residence.

One of the most useful resources for researching your family history is the census. The United States Census Bureau has records dating back to 1790, and these records can provide you with a wealth of information about your ancestors. By searching the census records, you can learn about your ancestors' ages, occupations, and places of birth, as well as their relationships to other members of your family.

Another valuable resource for researching your family history is old newspapers. Many newspapers have been digitized and are now available online, making it easy to search for articles about your ancestors. These articles can provide you with valuable insights into your ancestors' lives, as well as information about important events that may have happened during their lifetime.

In addition to online resources, it's also worth visiting local archives and libraries in the areas where your ancestors lived. These institutions often have a wealth of information about local history, and they may have records and documents that can help you learn more about your ancestors.

As you continue your research, it's important to keep track of the information you find. This can help you to organize your findings and make it easier to spot patterns and connections between different members of your family. You can use a family tree to keep track of your findings, or you can use a genealogy software program to help you organize your research.

Ultimately, researching your family history can be a fascinating and rewarding experience. By following these tips, you can uncover hidden stories about your ancestors and learn more about the rich and complex history of your family. Whether you're just starting out on your research journey or you're an experienced genealogist, we hope that this guide will help you to uncover the hidden stories of your family's past.