The holidays are a time when Canadians coast to coast to coast gather with their families to celebrate the season and reflect on the past twelve months. This year, why not celebrate your family by building your family tree and learning about those who came before you? Genealogy is a fascinating pastime and a great way to connect with all generations. And with access to millions of historic records online, it’s never been easier to get started.

Ancestry.ca is Canada’s leading family history website. Its vast database of Canadian and International historic records means you can build and grow your family tree in just minutes.

Who knows what you will discover! According to an Ancestry.ca survey, one in ten Canadians have found some sort of ancestral link to royalty or nobility, while 17 per cent say they hope to.

If it seems daunting, don’t worry! It’s easier than you think to start your journey:

1. Start with what you know
   The best place to start is with information you already have: write down what you know and talk to family members.
2. Create a family tree
   You can easily create a free family tree online at Ancestry.ca. Begin with yourself and add your parents and grandparents. Record as many details as you know about each individual. If you don’t know the exact information, take your best guess – vague clues can lead to amazing finds.
3. Search family history records
   Historical records are full of clues that connect individuals and events in your family history. Birth records, marriage certificates, military records and death certificates are just some of what Ancestry.ca can help a researcher uncover.
4. Collaborate with the online community
   Search more than 12 million family trees created by other members – and add relevant information you discover to your tree. Add entire generations with a click of the mouse..
5. Share your discoveries with your family
   Invite family members and friends to view your tree and any photos, stories, audio recordings or historical records attached to it. Then ask them to add facts, stories and photos to the tree.

For a 14-day free trial, visit www.ancestry.ca.