Knowing the family’s origins has always sparked people’s interest! and with family tree apps this has become much more accessible. In the past, tracing family lineage required meticulous research and was a time-consuming and laborious process.
With advances in technology and digital information, genealogy is no longer an activity exclusive to specialists, everyone has a true opportunity to trace their family history accurately.
So if you've ever wondered about your family history but don't know where to start? If so, take 5 minutes out of your day and see how genealogy apps will help you!
Quick answer
To discover your family origins in a practical way, you can use family tree apps. Choose a digital tool, download it, create a profile and start adding your personal details. Explore historical records to learn more about your ancestors and share the experience with your family, building together the legacy that connects you. With patience and curiosity, you will uncover surprising stories and strengthen your sense of self!What is a Family Tree?
Genealogy is the art of investigating family lineages and has always played an essential role in understanding the origins of families; from it, not only names and dates are discovered, but also stories and legacies.
A family tree is a diagram that shows the connection between members of a family, spanning several generations. Imagine a large tree, where each branch represents a relative and each leaf, the unique story of that person, so, in an organized way, it is possible to see who was a grandfather, grandmother, uncle, great-uncle and so on.
This visual record helps you better understand where you came from, deconstructing your family's trajectory over time and building a sense of identity. In addition to being an interesting hobby, it can have practical uses, such as for ethnic research, applying for foreign citizenship or medical studies on genetic predispositions.
Top Family Tree Apps
Discover now the main applications that help you create your family tree.
FamilySearch
O FamilySearch is a free application that helps you build your family tree collaboratively and was created by a non-profit organization, offering a vast collection of historical records that could be the key to discovering more about your family's history.
It works like this: you create a profile in the app and start by adding your data and that of your closest relatives, then expand as you carry out searches in the records available.
It already has more than 5 million downloads and is available both on Apple Store as in Google Play, and its simplicity of use makes it a great starting point for those who are beginning this search for origins.
Ancestry
O Ancestry is a large genealogy repository with billions of records that help trace users' family trajectories. The service is paid, but offers an incredible vastness of census records.
To try it out, you can start a free trial and start building your family tree. Entering an ancestor's name is the first step for the system to show possible matches and related documents.
This app is available on Apple Store and in Google Play and can also be accessed via computer. Although it is paid, many users find great value in the wealth of information it provides, which is why it already has more than 10 million downloads.
MyHeritage
If you're looking for a more robust option, the MyHeritage could be the right choice as it offers a huge library of resources, including historical records and DNA tests that help you deepen your knowledge about your family lineage.
With it, it's easy to add, edit and share your family tree. You can start by using the database to find clues about your ancestors and gradually build a detailed record of your family in the app.
Available for download at both iPhones as well as devices with Android and with more than 10 million downloads, MyHeritage offers subscription plans that give access to exclusive features.
How to use apps to build your family tree
To start building your family tree, the first step is to choose the tool that suits you best. Once you've decided, it's time to download it and start searching for your story.
Downloading and configuring the application
After choosing your application, go to your cell phone's app store, whether Apple Store or the Google Play, and download it. When opening for the first time, you will have to do a simple registration, then enter the requested data, such as name and email, to create your user account.
Adding your information
Right away, it will ask you to add your personal information. Enter your full name, date of birth and any other relevant details the application asks for.
Entering data about your relatives
Now, add information about your closest family members, such as parents, grandparents, uncles and siblings. At that time, the more details you enter, the better your family tree will be built.
Exploring historical records
Be curious and explore historical records available on to discover interesting facts about your ancestors.
Connecting with other users
Some apps allow you to connect with other users who are searching for common surnames. You may discover distant cousins or information that other family members have added to the tree, deepening your knowledge.
Sharing your tree
Many of them also allow you to share your tree with the family. This way, everyone can contribute and stay connected with the family history, regardless of where they are.
Advantages of creating a family tree
Create your own family tree gives you the incredible opportunity to better understand your heritage and the family connections that shaped who you are today.
Therefore, one of the main advantages is feeling that special connection with your family history, creating a strong link with your past, not only feeding your curiosity, but also offering a sense of belonging.
As you have seen, assembling a tree is also useful for more formal research; whether out of interest in obtaining citizenship of another country or to better understand hereditary health issues.
Required documents and where to find them
To create a complete family tree, it may be necessary to gather certain documents, such as birth, marriage and death certificates, as they contain important information.
But where to find these documents? Let's start with the most accessible sources: talk to relatives, as they may have kept old documents. Other sources such as municipal public archives, churches and registry offices hold civil and ecclesiastical records that can be consulted.
Today, some of these files are available online on government websites, national archives and genealogy websites, making your search easier.
List of important documents:
- Birth certificate
- Wedding certificate
- Death certificate
- Old identity cards and passports
- Military records
- Immigration and naturalization records
- old photographs
- Personal letters and diaries
It may take some time to get everything you need, but this step is essential to put together your family tree in as much detail as possible.
Conclusion
With these digital tools, bringing your family history to life is no longer hard work and has become an enriching activity that can be done literally from anywhere.
This is a beautiful opportunity to relive the trajectory of your ancestors and share with your family the legacy that, until then, was unknown.
Finally, if you were already curious about your roots, now you have the tools and information to make this discovery more accessible!
