Learning about your family history is a fun journey that lots of us take on as a hobby. But when you’re first starting out, Canadian genealogy for beginners can bring its own set of challenges. From choosing which family tree builder is right for you to knowing where to research ancestors in Canada, it’s easy to get lost in a whirlwind of names and dates. But don’t worry! With these tips, researching your family tree and learning about your ancestral history will be both exciting and simple to start. 

New to family history research? This beginner-friendly guide walks you through five simple steps to help you start your family tree with clarity and confidence—plus, grab a free printable checklist to keep you on track.

Two of my earliest genealogy research goals were to trace both my direct maternal and paternal lines as far back as I possibly could. This led me to discover so much about several ancestors in the process, not just direct line relatives. But two stories from my direct lines stood out to me in particular. One led to a fun little aha-moment, while the other uncovered a life story of struggle and resilience. 

Researching your Canadian ancestors doesn’t have to be expensive. Whether you’re just starting your family tree or looking for new records to explore, there are plenty of free Canadian genealogy websites that can help you discover valuable information. From census records and immigration databases, to historical newspapers and land records, these online resources provide can helpful clues about your ancestors’ lives.