When I was a kid, I loved digging in garden dirt with my father. Searching for four-leaf clovers was another cool thing to do. So was snooping and spying on my older sisters. Today, digging in dirt still fascinates me, but I also dig into the past. That’s how I find amazing stories. A boy who rides a wild horse named Volcano. A young woman who accepts a dangerous dare. A man who walks a thousand miles to search for treasure. Today, I still like to dig into the past. And I see, more than ever, how discovering the past can change the future.

You can do it, too. Here are some research tips for getting started.