What information do I need in order to find my family roots?

Question

In order to find my family roots, do I have to find out just who my great great grand father was and my great great grandmother, or do i have to go further than that? I am african american, and my last name is Armstrong. I know I have indian and white ancestry, but I want to see if i have any other races besides those. I don't look like I have white in me at all, and the only indian ancestry feature I have are the high cheek bones. Here is a picture of me.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/michellereddy/michelle/michelle.jpg

Answer 1

You probably want to print out a tracking chart before you start.  You should do all lines to get a more comprehensive view of your ancestry.

http://www.hamersleyfamily.com/5generati...

For other forms:

http://genealogy.about.com/od/free_chart...

http://www.genealogysearch.org/free/form...

So, put your name in first, then add your parents, then their parents, etc.  This will help keep track as you go. Put what you know first, then research the other stuff, like great grandma's maiden name, places of death, etc.

This chart will help you do the paternal (father's line) and maternal (mother's line)

Then you go up the tree as far as you can.  You might not get to the white until before the civil war timeframe.  This is where it will get tough for you as there aren't a lot of records for african americans during this time.  If you get stuck, post another message here and we can give more help.    

Answer 2

In research, the idea is that you DON'T have the information..but you are working to find that info.  The core process is (1) work from YOU backwards and (2) always but always, use documentation.  For example.. pull out your own birth certificate to "prove" your parents (yes.. even though you know them, you still need to get started on the right habit). Probably half the time, you will find that what people remember has gaps, or is inaccurate.

Things that you can toss out, in terms of doing real research is appearance and last names. I know.. that is a head spinner for most new persons. As you already say.. you don't LOOK like you have white in you, but that is not proof either way.

Nor will you be researching the Armstrong name. You are researching your father (whose name is/was Armstrong) , but you always use maiden names for the women.  Immediately..by the time you get to your (4) grandparents.. EACH will have a different last name.  Nor do you need to worry about where the name originates.  You want to know specific facts about your father's father (and back), or each other ancestor.

http://www.cyndislist.com/beginner.htm

I always offer cyndislist.... she is a huge collection of sources, but the beginner section is great.  

Last, but so not least... my advice is that you DON'T rely on any one website for records, or for that matter.. you don't rely on the internet. Yes, you use it.. but it all won't be online.  You will quickly learn the difference between a real RECORD (like birth/death certificates, etc) and a "family tree" that someone else has posted. The trees are not a record.. and they are NOT always correct.