How would i firsty identify, then find out information about my ancestors from hundreds of years ago.....?

Question

is it possible?? for example, i believe i have viking ancestory but how would i know?

Answer 1

There are several ways; you can go to where the records are kept in your county, such as a court house. Look up your grandparents and great grandparents last names , which will give you a baseline, and go from there. Check out the web, Ancestory.com is one. Historical Societies keep records as well. You could also have your DNA tested which should tell you if have Nordic ancestory.  This is faster and it isn't very expensive and they have a web site with some interesting info.

Answer 2

You start with what you know (or what your family knows) Your grandparents birth names, dates and counties in which they were born.   Each county has a historical society or genealogy society. Go there. You will be amazed at the expertise available for the asking from other genealogy enthusiasts.   Family rumors of being related to someone famous are very common. It is also very common for them to be no more than rumors. Genealogy is about finding the proof.

DNA testing is expensive contrary to what someone else mentioned. The cheapest 12 marker test runs about $200 but only give you a general idea and before taking the test there has to already be someone that is a proven Viking ancestor that has had their DNA tested. There is a 32 marker test which is more conclusive and also double toe price. But teh same applies. There has to be proven DNA already done to compare YOURS too.

Genealogy is a very time-consuming hobby. I spend approximatrely 30 hours a week at it because I love it. It's been a passion of mine for over 25 years and there is still alot of info I have not been able to find out yet.

Answer 3

You'll need to start with yourself and work backwards, generation by generation, until you reach the time frame you're interested in.  That's the only way to find out for certain who your ancestors were.  Once you know their exact names, and precisely where they lived, you can search the historical records from that location and see what info you can find about them.

It might sound time-consuming... and it is!   But it's also a lot of fun!  Although your goal may be to find something specific (eg, Viking ancestry), you'll discover so many other fascinating facts about all your ancestors in between!  

Start by talking to your family members (especially the oldest ones), and find out what they know about your recent ancestors... your grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great grandparents.  Once you've gathered all the info they can tell you, come back here and ask for help.  We'll be glad to give you some specific suggestions on how to proceed from there!

Answer 4

I have both Norwegian and Swedish heritage, but to find out if any ancestors were Vikings, I would have to trace family back a thousand years.  It is unlikely I will ever know for sure.

Also, the Vikings settled in England, Ireland Scotland and France, so that could be another source of Nordic ancestry.

Answer 5

Kerrith and Becki have given you some great advice.  Start with yourself and work back. Don't try to jump to someone in the distant past and try to make a connection.