We all want to discover secrets of our past and learn more about our 'roots' - where our family came from and what they did. At first glance, it seems simple enough to document names, dates and relationships but the task can soon become complex and many people just give up. Geared for both beginner genealogists and experienced family historians, this book guides the reader through all the processes, from the basics of identifying members of their family trees to the complexities of using historic records at home and abroad. Each section of the book identifies commonly encountered problems during the phase of the process, while the unique 'Problem Solver' boxes provide practical, understandable solutions to specific difficulties. The book is divided into four parts: Part One tells you how to get started on your search with information on everything from defining your goals to filing the information. Part Two guides the reader through all the different places that the information is held. Part Three shows how to read vital documents and Part Four tells you about doing a global search. Scattered through each chapter are tips, checklists and Dos and Don'ts.