It is easy to be put off the idea of researching and creating your family tree because of the time and effort it generally takes. Indeed, family history research in the traditional way is, or certainly can be, a project that lasts, well, ad infinitum. This is because not only can the research be difficult, you are likely to come across plenty of dead ends, but also because a family tree is never truly finished. The phrase ‘How long is a piece of string?’ applies perfectly to researching ancestry.
Take the example of a British man who claims to have created the world’s most extensive family tree. Roy Blackmore has spent around 5 hours every day for over 30 years working on his family tree, which is now nearly 10,000 strong. He says there are still relatives to find even after all that time, research, not to mention money; he says he has spent around £20,000 on the project.
An Easier Way
However, there is an easier quicker way to build a family tree that doesn’t involve the hard slog of days spent in front of the microfiche in a strange town, nosing around cemeteries, or at the National Archives. In fact, if you are lucky you might even find others who have done much of the work for you!
No, I’m not talking about going on a show like ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ although having a whole dedicated team of researchers and genealogists would, of course, be a quicker way of doing things. Neither am I suggesting that you might be one of Roy Blackmore’s relatives, although that would save you a lot of work too.
I’m talking about DNA testing.
Ancestral DNA testing can give you information and in some cases the tools and templates to build a family tree. Moreover, because you will get the chance to meet and share information with your relatives from around the globe you might just get lucky and find a relative or relatives who have created a family tree already. It is unlikely you’ll find someone who has done as thorough a job as Roy Blackmore, the previously mentioned Family tree aficionado, but hopefully, you will find people who can add something to the mix.
Yes, there will be some aspects you will still have to research and of course it is always good to bring something to the party. You don’t want to be the relative who is happy to use everyone else’s research and do none of your won. But you will also find that depending on which DNA testing service you choose they may have their own document archives to make this process easier as well. Or you might find that simply by talking to your relatives, Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles, Parents, or even your siblings that there might be a name or a place that proves to be a missing piece of a puzzle for one of your newly found DNA matched relatives.
How Easy is a DNA Test?
Taking an ancestral DNA test really easy as 1, 2, 3. Simply check up on which testing provider most suits you. Spit in the test tube provided or swab the inside of your cheek. Then just send it off. Your results will come in just a few weeks and will provide you with information about your ancestry, family history, and potentially a list of your relatives on the database.
