Times Gone By history trace your family

There are almost as many reasons to research your family history as there are genealogists. It's a fascinating hobby. Did you like to hear your grandmother's stories of the `old days'? Was history one of your favorite subjects in school? Do you like to read historical novels?
Are you curious about your ancestors? Did you always wonder where your red hair or your son's left-handedness came from, or which side of the family was tall or short, or just what kind of people your ancestors were? You may be interested in these questions, as well as those of a medical nature. It may be important to you to find out whether there is a history of heart disease or cancer in your family, which might affect your health care.
You may want to discover the truth about old family legends, stories or mysteries. Are there stories in your family about your grandfather riding with Jesse James, or your great grandmother having six sets of twins? Did one of your ancestors kill a man and flee the state? Are you related to General Robert E. Lee or President John Adams or some other famous person? You might want to join a lineage society, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames, Sons of Confederate Veterans, or Mayflower Descendants. Joining requires proving your family link to an appropriate person--a Revolutionary War soldier, a person who resided in America in Colonial times, a Confederate veteran, or someone who arrived on the Mayflower.
Perhaps you want to research your family history to qualify for benefits, scholarships or grants through Indian tribal membership. Or maybe you want to prove your claim to an inheritance.
You may have a genuine interest in preserving the past, either for your children or grandchildren or simply for posterity. You may want to record the memories of older people in your community or your own recollections. All of these are valid reasons for beginning the wonderful hobby of family history research.