Are you interested in genealogy and family search? Would you
like to trace an ancestor to find out if you belong to an ancient noble family? 3 years ago I started doing serious research about my family,
and came all the way back to the founder of our family who
was made a Marquis in the year 1141. In the process I have
collected more than 2000 pages of documentation and made
friends all over the world! In this brief article I would
like to tell you about some of the most important things to
remember when you want to trace ancestors and look for possible
noble roots.

First of all, you need to collect and systematize the
knowledge you already have. This means to search written
material already available, interviewing family members and
relatives, trying to find physical items relating to your family
history and if possible summon a family meeting. This will
give you the background material you need to trace your ancestors.

Second, you need to start using the Internet as a genealogical
tool. In order to trace ancestors you need to learn how to use
search engines and telephone directories to do genealogical
research. You will also need to find and use specialized
Internet sites that deal with noble genealogy and nobiliary
issues such as heraldry (the science that studies armorial
bearings). In many cases you can find sites specialized in
the nobility of specific countries, and they will provide
you with lots of valuable information.

You will also want to search libraries for books related to
your family search, and from many libraries you can buy
photocopies from the books you need. To trace your ancestors you
will sometimes want to own a specific book related to your family history, and you will need to search antiquarian book shops.

Several Internet sites have specialized in heraldry, and at
one site you can search among the coat of arms of more than
130,000 families. Heraldry can be a powerful tool when trying
to trace an ancestor.

If you found this article "Trace ancestor: tracing your noble roots" interesting, you may wish to have a look at my book
"Find Your Noble Ancestors!", where I develop the subjects
outlined above.

von Wowern's
Find Your Noble Ancestors!
Hogbergsgatan 27
116 20 Stockholm
Sweden
Phone and fax: +4686400650
E-mail: contact@findyournobleancestors.com

© Jan-Olov von Wowern 2004
All Rights Reserved