If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably found yourself thinking:
“I wish I knew more about where I came from … but I have no idea where to start.”
That question, ” Where do I come from?“, is what drew me into the world of genealogy. And trust me, it sounds a bit grand at first, but honestly, it’s not like that. It’s just a journey, and you go one step at a time.
So … what is genealogy?
Put simply, genealogy is the study of family history. Working out who your ancestors were, how they lived, and how you’re connected to them. It’s not just about names and dates (although we do talk about those a lot). It’s also about stories, struggles, triumphs, and sometimes, the surprising discoveries you weren’t expecting.
You might be building a full family tree, or just trying to figure out where your great-grandad came from. Either way, you’re a genealogist now. Welcome to the club.
Why does it matter?
I thought I was just trying to find out whether my granny really was born in Canada, bBut what I found along the way was something deeper: a sense of place and time. Of belonging.
Here are a few reasons this journey has been so meaningful to me (and might be for you too):
- It can connect you to people you never knew you were connected to.
Like the distant cousin I found living just a few streets away, researching the same 1800s Irish bricklayer I was stuck on. - It helps you understand history on a personal level.
Suddenly the Highland Clearances or the Great Famine weren’t just dates in a textbook—they were my family’s reality. - It brings your loved ones closer.
Sharing stories, photos and memories with your close (and not so close) family is a powerful way to connect. - It lets you pass something down.
Not just a dusty family tree, but stories and a better understanding of what makes you, you.
“But I don’t know where to start.”
That’s 100% normal. We all have to start somewhere.
The good news is: you don’t have to be an expert, own fancy software, or have a royal blood. You just have to be curious and willing to learn as you go.
On this blog, I’ll walk with you through the very first steps of family history research, especially if your roots are in Scotland, Ireland, or the wider UK. You’ll find:
- Bite-sized how-tos (no jargon)
- Mistakes I’ve made (and how you can avoid them)
- Free tools and sites I actually use
- Ideas for telling and sharing your family stories
And if I try something and it doesn’t work, I’ll let you know. We’re learning this together.
One thing to remember
You don’t need to trace your tree back 1000 years for this search to be meaningful. Even learning one new thing about one person in your family can be powerful.
So if you’ve ever wondered about your roots, your name, your place in history … let’s figure it out together.
What’s next?
- How to start a family tree from scratch
- The best free sites for UK and Irish records
- What to do when you hit a brick wall