How do I find my family history?

Question:I've looked on ellis island website but I don't know the correct spellings, and they only go til a certain year. Is there any other sights out there that can help me? I'm trying to find my Nani's family in Poland, and Ukraine.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I've looked on ellis island website but I don't know the correct spellings, and they only go til a certain year. Is there any other sights out there that can help me? I'm trying to find my Nani's family in Poland, and Ukraine.

I have not done this in a few yrs, but I was at it each day for about 12. you start with one of your parents and then you do one of there parents and then the search is on, BUT you have to search is piece of information out for yourself, you cannot take what you read as the truth, like my great granny someone said she was married no she was never married my mom is 83 and she knows she new her and was around here up until she died so see someone took info they where given thought it to be true and that is why they never could find the mising piece of the puzzle.

Let me give you a good piece of advice write down who tells you the information if a woman get that maiden name and most of all write down the dates. And when you are getting information from older people buy a small hand held tape recorder in case you miss something they tell you. i would be more than glad to send you some forms to use and you can make copies of them to save you alot of money.........this is fun to do but there are tricks to it, I have my mother's mother's side traced back to 1778 and know the one that started or family line but there again there is alot of work to it and you have to really trace things out for yourself.. you want to start with the elderly because they are full of information and once they are gone the good information is gone, do not wait until it is to late.And another thing I do is when I take pictures i write peoples name & age on them and when they where taken..I hope this helps you if I can be of any fruther help let me know.And DO NOT pay for any information ther are to many place you can look with out paying.theresa

Ask your parents! If they did not ask your grand parents before, that is it no history for your family in record. It is very difficult to trace back!

Do you know if they came through ellis island? Before ellis island the main port of entrance on the east coast was castle garden (castle clinton). www.castlegarden.org
If they didn't come in through New York, they could've come in some place like Baltimore.
You can try ancestry.com, they have a bunch of passenger lists. But it will help if you have the spelling!

Hope this helps!

duh, ask your parents