Paper records usually list an individual’s name on the top with their name and date of birth. The record will also show the names of their parents and if they had any siblings.

You can avoid the dusty archives with online family trees. Many websites allow users to create a family tree and share it with others. Simply type in a name and view all of the public trees that contain that name. If you need to verify biographical information, compare what you know against what you see on the tree. You may want to look at multiple trees to make sure you have accurate data.

Digital family trees often contain hints, too. Once you add a few names, the site will look for matching information on other family trees. You’ll receive an alert that tells you to look at one of those trees. This comes in handy when new people start using the site and uploading data you may not have. You may want to look for a site that lets you save a copy of your family tree to your device or a site that allows your relatives to upload photos or make changes to your family tree.