Getting Started Stories

Getting Started Stories

How did it begin?

When did you first get interested in family history?

Did you discover old letters? Or did you hear a new family story? Were you captivated by an old photograph? Or did a distant relative find you?

However you caught the bug, we at Treelines want to hear the story. Take a break from telling the stories of your ancestors and tell us about yourself and how your curiosity started you on this amazing journey.

Contributions

How I Got Into Genealogy

How I Got Into Genealogy

Not many people can say they got started at 12, but I did! Here's the full story.

July 1991 – 2013
  • 17
  • 7
A 14-year old's quest to find her grandfather

A 14-year old's quest to find her grandfather

How in finding the man, I discovered my Galician roots.

1849 – 2012
  • 27
  • 17
Losing  One Family Member, But Gaining Generations

Losing One Family Member, But Gaining Generations

I consider this my first "genealogy" moment. 1984. I was 9 years old.

1984 – December 1984
  • 8
  • 1
The Big Jacobowsky

The Big Jacobowsky

The story of how I discovered that I'm the descendant of Jewish slave owners from Mississippi.

February 11, 1897 – 2012
  • 7
  • 1
How I Started Researching my Webster Family Tree

How I Started Researching my Webster Family Tree

Everything has a beginning. This is the story of mine.

est 1977 – est 1977
  • 1
The family secret behind granddad's desk calendar

The family secret behind granddad's desk calendar

A surprising artifact discovered after a parent's death leads to a series of discoveries and an ongoing interest in genealogy.

October 1937 – August 2006
  • 15
  • 2
YES  -- I COULD DO THAT!

YES -- I COULD DO THAT!

This story is about the factors that entered into my decision to delve into the family history and how it came to be.

1897 – est 1980
  • 11
A Wondering    
Child

A Wondering Child

I believe that I was chosen before I came here to write about those who wanted their stories told which is why I was a wondering child...

c. 1920 – 2013
  • 12
How an assignment led to an addiction

How an assignment led to an addiction

It all started with a history assignment at El Camino College in Torrance, California. Write down what you know about your family history.

1918 – 1982
  • 2
It Began in a Graveyard

It Began in a Graveyard

Not quite 14 years old, I met my ancestors by accident and life has never been the same.

February 1993 – July 31, 2004
  • 7
From the Ancient Dead to the Recent Dead

From the Ancient Dead to the Recent Dead

How I almost became an archaeologist instead of a genealogist.

April 1989 – March 2013
  • 12
My Genealogy Journey Thus Far

My Genealogy Journey Thus Far

A story about my genealogical journey, how it all started and where it has led.

2007 – 2019
  • 9
Long Lost Glasscocks

Long Lost Glasscocks

Long Lost Glasscocks: The Interesting Story of Glasscock Cousins who changed their name to Ballard in Autauga/Chilton/Elmore Co. Alabama..

29 May 1867 – 29 May 1867
  • 1
A German Mystery

A German Mystery

My genealogy story

  • 7
Where it all began, my journey into the past.

Where it all began, my journey into the past.

The Wencl J. & Theresia (Braulich) Haberman Family

  • 5
  • 1
Who am I? Really?

Who am I? Really?

In my late teens and early twenties my curiosity began to get the better of me. Where am I from and what makes me me?

  • 5
Lost in 1860

Lost in 1860

Lost in 1860

1855 – 1886
  • 4
The quest for where I came from ... Or who am I

The quest for where I came from ... Or who am I

I at 61 am still discovering who I am....

  • 7