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Genealogy Records
Documents Typically Used in Genealogy Research
Whether you make a visit to the County Court House, the public library, or do an online search, genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Information obtained from genealogy records, tombstones, family records, and other documents is usually compiled in a chart form.
The public library is a great place to start. Many libraries have a genealogy department. Most state capitals have archives of public records, as well as the county courthouses, city halls and other government centers. Most major cities have historical societies with invaluable resources.
The more documents you're able to review, the more effective your genealogical research will be. Genealogy records quite often include:
- Adoption records
- Biographies
- Church records. By contacting the church where a family member attended, you might find out information regarding: baptism, christening, confirmation, marriage and funeral
- Cemetery records
- Census records
- Coroner's reports
- Criminal records
- Diaries or personal letters
- Family Bibles. Many people keep a genealogy page in their Bibles
- Immigration records. Immigration, emigration or naturalization records will indicate when the family member moved to another country
- Land deeds
- Medical records
- Military records
- Newspaper articles
- Obituaries
- Passports
- Photographs
- School records and yearbooks
- Social security and pension records
- Vital records. Vital records include birth certificates, death records, marriage certificate and divorce decrees
- Voter registration records
- Wedding announcements
- Wills
In addition to reviewing documents, it's important to talk with relatives. They will be able to help you get started with a list of relatives on your mother's or father's side of the family. In fact, someone else might have already started a family tree which will save you time. You might be able to find out what type of work family members did, along with interesting tidbits. While conversing with family members regarding genealogy, video or audio tape your conversations rather than taking notes.
Online genealogy records
Search engines, such as www.ancestry.com, are dedicated in helping you discover your family tree. With the click of your mouse, you can trace your family roots several generations back. When you do an online search, some of the information you might discover include:
- Full names (i.e. maiden, middle, married)
- Birthdates
- Wedding dates
- Deaths
- Photos
- Newspaper clippings
- Immigration and location of family members
- Military records
Lastly, be sure to check out the Family History Centers that are operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. These centers are open to all members of the community and are a valuable tool for genealogical research.
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