   Step #1 After You've Found a Living Descendant: Connect
After you've found a living descendant, you can write a letter, email, message them on Facebook, or call them. Even though the preferred method is to write a letter, so they have a little time to decide if they want to reach out to you, I seem to always call because it's the quickest method, and to be honest (even though it's sad), who writes letters anymore. 😊 Follow more descendancy research tips below, and other research tips in Genealogy Research Tips. Rule #1 of Finding Living Descendants in Your Family Tree Rule #2 of Finding Living Descendants in Your Family Tree Rule #3 of Finding Living Descendants in Your Family Tree Step #2 After You've Found a Living Descendant Step #3 After You've Found a Living Descendant P.S... My older site theme does not support the "Leave a Reply" field labels; if you'd like to leave a comment on a blog, the fields are : Name, Email, Site (if you'd like), and Comment, the standard fields 😉  Rule #3 of finding living descendants in your family tree: Fan out and rework your way forward again
Start with the 1st child of your starting ancestor, then fan out, and repeat with each child. Continue this process for each of their children, and do the same for siblings and possible siblings, while using the same research methods. As you get closer to living relatives, use public online directory records, genealogy message boards, alumni and school sites, public record search databases, public profile records/social media (my preferred method), Google and other search engines, or seek out a private investigator. Don't forget to document all you find on family group sheets! 😊 Follow more descendancy research tips below, and other research tips in Genealogy Research Tips. Rule #1 of Finding Living Descendants in Your Family Tree Rule #2 of Finding Living Descendants in Your Family Tree Step #1 After You've Found a Living Descendant Step #2 After You've Found a Living Descendant Step #3 After You've Found a Living Descendant P.S... My older site theme does not support the "Leave a Reply" field labels; if you'd like to leave a comment on a blog, the fields are : Name, Email, Site (if you'd like), and Comment, the standard fields 😉 Rule #2 of finding living descendants in your family tree: Work your way back to the starting ancestor
Trace the direct line back ONLY to the starting ancestor, while gathering any children/possible children and siblings/possible siblings as you go, but DO NOT focus on them. Do NOT use collected research, unless you hit a brick wall. If you do need to use it for a brick wall, then use it very loosely. Follow more descendancy research tips below, and other research tips in Genealogy Research Tips. Rule #1 of Finding Living Descendants in Your Family Tree Rule #3 of Finding Living Descendants in Your Family Tree Step #1 After You've Found a Living Descendant Step #2 After You've Found a Living Descendant Step #3 After You've Found a Living Descendant P.S... My older site theme does not support the "Leave a Reply" field labels; if you'd like to leave a comment on a blog, the fields are : Name, Email, Site (if you'd like), and Comment, the standard fields 😉 Rule #1 of finding living descendants in your family tree: Start with now!
Start with yourself or another direct descendant of a starting ancestor, and immediate relatives, and DO NOT use online resources yet. Record EVERYTHING you know, in a family tree drawn by hand. Follow more descendancy research tips below, and other research tips under the Genealogy Research Tips category. Rule #2 of Finding Living Descendants in Your Family Tree Rule #3 of Finding Living Descendants in Your Family Tree Step #1 After You've Found a Living Descendant Step #2 After You've Found a Living Descendant Step #3 After You've Found a Living Descendant P.S... My older site theme does not support the "Leave a Reply" field labels; if you'd like to leave a comment on a blog, the fields are : Name, Email, Site (if you'd like), and Comment, the standard fields 😉 ←Back to Genealogy Research Tips Page |
Author, Diane HenriksHi, I'm Diane Henriks, a professional genealogist, speaker, author, investigator, and the founder of Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family who... Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family: Family History and Genealogy BlogI hope my family history and genealogy blog on genealogy research tips, resources, events, and more, along with my own genealogy journeys, will help you in your research and in building your family tree to learn more about your ancestors and family history to preserve for future generations to come! Categories
All
Top Posts
BlogrollEvalogue.Life, Heart of the Family, Molly's Canopy, Climbing My Family Tree, DNA Breakthroughs, Ancestral Findings, Genealogy Tip of the Day, Family History Daily, Heart of the Family Blog Party, Genea-Musings, Best of the Genea-Blogs, Genealogy à la carte, Empty Branches on the Family Tree, Our Growing Family Tree
Come visit me at Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family if you're interested in starting your family history journey, booking me for your next speaking event, or family history and genealogy heirloom products!
Archives
January 2026
|
RSS Feed
Ready to Discover your family's Story? Start Your journey Today! |
|
📌 Quick Links💡 Tips & Resources⚖️ Legal |
🧬 ServicesGenealogy Research | DNA Research | Brick Wall Research | Heir & Living People Search | Unknown Parentage Research | Ancestor Biographies | Publishing | Coaching | Workshops | Speaking
📚 Products |
📬 Stay Connected🕒 HoursMon–Sun: 8am – 8pm
🗺️ Map
|
|
Member of the Association of Professional Genealogists |
✨ Commitment
Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family is dedicated to promoting family history and genealogy, while maintaining commitment to client care and professional service, and adheres to the Code of Ethics and Professional Practices put forth by the Association of Professional Genealogists.
© 2016–2026 Diane Henriks | Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family. All rights reserved.