When we are taught history, it is often about others, famous people, other families. What separates our families' histories from "real history" is that our history is more pertinent, it is about us.

Famous people have been the objects of relentless research and occasional tall tales such as George Washington and his cherry tree. We all have an opportunity to contribute to the general body of human knowledge by researching our own family's history.

Begin with your elders, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, other relatives. They can give you names, leads and stories. If you are lucky, one or more of them may have done some research already. Tax records, census information, birth and death records, court records and family bibles might be the next step in your search.

As the raw information is gathered, faint shadows become clear pictures, names become real people, the raw information becomes fascinating stories. Compelling family histories are out there, waiting to be uncovered. History is not over; it is being created every day, by everyone.