The popularity of family history continues to grow according to a recent poll by Market Strategies, Inc. (MSI), a national, research and strategic consulting firm and MyFamily.com, Inc., parent company of Ancestry.com and Genealogy.com. According to the poll, 73 percent of Americans are interested in discovering their family history , a 13 percent increase over a similar Maritz Poll that was conducted in 2000, in which 60 percent of Americans said they were interested in discovering their family history.

Of the people surveyed, 65 percent said their interest is due to simply 'hearing stories from relatives.' Thirty-five percent have had their interest piqued after attending a family reunion or family event. Talking to a friend, colleague or family member who was researching their family history got the ball rolling for 29 percent. And 25 percent of respondents became interested in family history after just searching for their surname online.

Of those interested in discovering their family roots, 66 percent said they’ve discussed their family history with other family members. More than 35 percent have used the Internet to learn about their family history and almost a third (29 percent) have created a family tree. Some have taken their interest even further — 15 percent of respondents have traveled to an ancestral hometown or country and 11 percent have written a personal or family history.

Many Americans simply want to learn about themselves and their family heritage. That’s what 30 percent of respondents claimed. Some want to create a legacy to pass on to future generations (15 percent). And still others are enticed by the excitement of all they could discover (14 percent).

Read the full press release at PRNewswire.com.