Is a mix of how-to articles, databases, and links to other family history websites
Strong on Native American records
Alien Registration Forms:
The U.S. has passed legislation several times requiring non-citizens to register with the government
Applications consistently ask for name, place of residence, age, country of origin, and date and place of arrival
The Alien Registration Act of 1940 required non-citizens to be registered and fingerprinted
You can order a relatives citizenship records through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Genealogy Program
Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
Has one of the largest genealogical research collections available
Offers free databases, digitized books and how-to guides
Databases include military records, family histories, bible data, and much more
Gateways for African-American and Native American Research
Use the Genealogy Center Surname File to find others researching your same surname
The website is well organized and contains a number of research guides
$ American Ancestors by New England Historic Genealogical Society
Heavy on New York and Pennsylvania
Currently working to digitize congretional church records
Birth Records:
By 1912 most states required birth records to be recorded
A number of delayed birth certificates were issued in the 1940’s in order to provide documentation for a social security card
Most early birth records were created at the local level
State records are generally held at the department of health or vital statistics
Birth Record Substitutes
Baptism Records
Social Security Records
Home Sources
Death Records
Cemeteries
Marriage Records
Newspapers
Censuses
Military Records
Immigration Records
Cemeteries, Death Notices, and Obituaries:
American newspapers published articles about local deaths as early as the 1600s, but more detailed obituaries did not commonly appear until the early 1800s
Obituaries were more common in smaller communities than in large cities
For recent deaths look at: Legacy, Tributes, or local newspapers
FamilySearch is currently working to index all of the obituaries at Genealogy Bank. Visit here to review those already indexed
Database of military ancestors buried in VA National Cemeteries
Census Records:
One of the most important research tools for genealogists
U.S. census from 1790-1840 list only the names of heads of households and the number of males and females
Beginning in 1850, census list each person’s name, age, state or country of birth
The 1880 census had a separate schedule for “defective, dependent and delinquent” classes
Community organizations and resources were described in the Social Statistics Schedules of the 1850, 1860 and 1870 census
Much of the 1890 census was destroyed
Fragments remain for Alabama, DC, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas
1890 census included a special enumeration of Union Civil War Veterans and their widows, most of which survived
Check to see if a reconstruction project exists for your locality
Census are currently available through 1940
Slave Schedules were taken in 1850 and 1860 for Southern states and Washington, D.C.
Veterans Schedules
Some census records identified members of the military
1840’s census had a column for Revolutionary War pensioners
In 1890, an entirely separate veterans schedule was created with identified Civil War veterans and their widows
1930 census had two columns for veterans of wars and military expeditions
Agricultural Schedules were taken for 1840 through 1880
Seven Manufacturing and Industry Schedules were taken in the 1800’s
Mortality Schedules survive for approximately 75% of states for 1850-1880
Native Americans were generally excluded from the census before 1860
In 1860 and 1870 only Native Americans who did not live on a reservation were recorded
Most of the 1890 census was lost, except for the Cherokee Nation Population Schedule
Don’t forget to search for State Census Records. They were often taken 5 years after the federal census
Interpreting the Tick Marks on Federal Census by Elizabeth Shown Mills is a very useful article
Census Tick Marks and Codes – Revisited Yet Again by Elizabeth Shown Mills is another useful article
Coal Miners:
State Coal Mining Reports – list those who were injured or killed in mines
Search “coal mine report,” the state name and the year
United Mine Worker Journal
Congregational Archives Online
Contains tens of thousands of historical record images from churches around New England
Most records date between 1634-1850
Daughters of the American Revolution
Website/Library contains three interconnected databases: patriots, descendants of patriots, and DAR members
DAR’s collection includes thousand of Bible Records. You can now search these online here
Beneficial to visit the DAR library in Washington, D.C.
Americana Collection contains rare and unique imprints and manuscripts
Membership is available to any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from an eligible patriot of the American revolution
There are local DAR chapters in most areas
Digital Public Library of America
Contains digitized items from libraries, archives and museums
Note: You can search the whole collection with a click or narrow your search to time or place
Directories:
Keep in mind that information you find in directory was compiled the previous year. For example, a 1920 directory was compiled in 1919
Sometimes first names are abbreviated, so search on just a last name
City Directories list residents of a particular locale
Predecessor of the telephone book.
The first City Directories were issued in Philadelphia in 1785 however all major cities had directories by the mid-19th century
Rural communities may be covered in directories for nearby cities or in region directories
Libraries are a great starting point to find city directories
Generally includes name and address. Some records include birth date, occupation and members of the household
House Directories are similar to city directories but are organized by street and house number instead of surname
Online Historical Directories contains links to online directories by county, state and country
Divorce Records:
Look for clues that someone was divorced:
A marriage record may indicate one spouse was previously divorced
Children named in census records may have different last names and may be listed as stepchildren
Beginning in 1880, the census included D in the marital column
Obituaries might name a different spouse or children by a former spouse
Probate papers may mention children by a different spouse or financial obligations of a former spouse
In early U.S. history, spouses petitioned the legislature in most colonies/territories/states to get a divorce
Almost all divorces after 1900 took place in the courtroom
In many states, divorces within the past 50 years are sealed for privacy reasons
Premiere online source for U.S. military records
Key resources include: Revolutionary War pension files, War of 1812 pension records, Civil War service records, FBI case files, WWII “Old Man’s Draft” registration cards, Navy cruise books and casualty lists and much more
Gazetteer – list and description of places
Heritage Quest (You need to log into this site through your library)
Contains U.S. census, PERSI database, , family and local history books, Freedman’s bank records, U.S. Serial set, Map and State Guides Revolutionary War pension and bounty applications
Institutional Records
Almost everyone had a relative who became a resident in an institution for a short period or even the better part of a lifetime
Institutions include: tuberculosis sanatoriums, state hospitals, poor farms, almshouses, insane asylums, old folks’ homes, orphanages and prisons
Begin by examining census records
The censuses for 1840-1880 have a column denoting insane persons
The 1880 census includes a supplemental schedule of defective, dependent, and delinquent classes – The DDD schedules
A person who was instituted when the census was conducted will be listed with others in that facility, with the facility’s name written across the top of the page
The term “inmate” was used on census records for anyone in an institution
Some enumerations of prisons may state the crime committed by the individual
If an ancestor died in an institution, this information should be recorded on the death certificate
Institutions typically had their own cemeteries. The Institutional Cemeteries Website contains information on known cemeteries of asylums, poor houses, poor farms, prisoners, orphanages, etc.
Once you have the name of an institution, do an internet search on it plus “history” and “records”
In FamilySearch, run a place search of the online catalog and look under the subject heading “Archives and Libraries, Correctional Institutions, Court Records, Orphans and Orphanages, Probate Records, and Schools”
Search WorldCat to find published items. If you find a published item, ask your local public library about interlibrary loan
For state hospitals, insane asylums and sanatoriums, check out the Asylum Project Wiki which lists asylums with historical information and images
For federal prison research guides and name indexes view this link
For a state-by-state listing of poor houses visit this link
Land Records:
Key types of Land Records include: Property Deeds, Plat maps, Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, Property Tax Records, Land Patents, Land Entry Case File, Bounty Land Warrant, Tract Book
Bureau of Land Management contains federal land records, digitized plats and field notes.
Patents/Grant – when the government is the grantor of the land
General Land Office Records Database contains over 5 million records dating as far back as 1820
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) holds land applications and documents filed with the application
Deed – records of transactions between private parties
Deeds are typically recorded at the county level
The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries may help you if boundaries have changed
The American Memory Collection has digital collections of maps, old advertising circulars, audio and video recordings, and much more
Chronicling America has nearly 10 million pages of newspapers running from 1836-1922
Maps
Sanborn Maps
National Atlas and Geographic Names Information System – will find obscure places and allow you to plot it on a map
Contains historical topographic maps
Railway maps can provide clues for your genealogical research
They can give you an idea of how an area developed, follow the paths of ancestors, or pinpoint forgotten boom towns
The Library of Congress has made more than 600 railway maps available online here
The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries may help you if boundaries have changed
Marriage Records
Marriages were often the last vital record collected at the state level Visit here for a list of statewide registration start dates
Marriages may have been announced in the local newspaper or a church publication
A marriage license was typically issued by the county, parish or municipality
The Marriage Return (license filled out by the person conducting the ceremony) was typically returned to whoever issued the marriage license. The document was then copied into a marriage book or register, which is usually indexed by both the bride and groom’s names
The person who conducted the ceremony may give you a clue as the where the couple attended church
Mayflower Ancestors
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Contains census records, veterans records, old maps and photos, immigrant arrivals, etc.
Check out the Resources for Genealogists to get you started
Contains U.S. documents such as census, land records, military records, passenger lists and passport applications
Most of the records are not online or microfilmed. However, the website can help you find information about records you might want to research
You can order records here.
Naturalization Records
To become a US citizen involved three steps:
Sign a Declaration of Intention
Clues in the Declaration of Intention can point you to your ancestors immigration information, family members and residence
Petition for Naturalization, and
Take the Oath of Citizenship
To request copies of these records, visit USCIS Genealogy Services
Panama Canal Workers
Due to the US’s involvement with the Panama Canal, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has a wealth of records about its construction at operation
Passports:
Passport applications from 1795-1925 are accessible on National Archives microfilm (series M1372 and M 1490)and have been digitized at Ancestry and Family Search
For passport applications after 1925, you will need to send a Freedom of Information Act request to the U.S. Department of State
Patents
Google free patent search tool available here, has an index of U.S. patents dating to 1790 and some worldwide patent information.
If you have a patent number, you can order information from the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Ancestry has a U.S. Patent database with records dating up to 1909.
Probate Records:
The earliest probate records date to colonial times
These documents are often full of names, dates, property deeds, etc.
They are often found in the county court that handled the probate or the state archives. You can confirm where these records are held by consulting with “The Handybook for Genealogists: United State of America” by George Everton.
Railway Workers:
After 1936, the Railroad Retirement Board began administering retirement benefits to railway workers and their families.
If your ancestors SSN starts with a number between 700 and 728, he was eligible to receive benefits from the Board
You can request records on deceased employees from the Board
The California State Railroad Museum has 50,000 employee record cards from 1900-1930 for the Southern Pacific Railway
The Midwest Genealogy Center has a free index of 1.5 million U.S. Railroad Retirement Board pension records available online
Social Security Records:
Until 1951, the SSA didn’t cover self-employed, temporary government workers, farm laborers, domestic workers, workers in US territories or overseas employees of American companies
Prior to 1951 railroad workers were covered separately under the Railroad Retirement Board. The first three digits of the SSN range from 707-728
Spanish Flu Deaths Database – state-by-state index of those who were listed as dying from flu-related causes in 1918
Tax Records
Tax lists can serve as replacement records for areas where census records have been lost
Tax records show where your ancestors were living and give you insight into their economic situations throughout time
Types of taxes:
Poll, tithable, or head tax – a flat assessment for each adult male in a household
The age of adulthood varied by jurisdiction
Often, older men could “age out” of the tax, usually between the ages of 50 and 60
Property tax
This tax was sometimes levied on the person working the property, not the actual landowner
Taxes on personal property, i.e. farm animals, carriages, slaves
Taxes on investments, i.e. stocks, bonds, money lent out at interest
Business, liquor and cigarette taxes
Inheritance or estate taxes
Tax records can be found at the local, county, state and federal levels
Search Ancestry and FamilySearch for tax records
The Family History Library in Utah has a large book collection that contains thousands of abstracted and indexed tax lists from around the country
Tax lists are rarely alphabetized. Generally, tax collectors and assessors rode a circuit, and those listed near one another are neighbors
Free website ran by volunteers and organized by state.
Special projects include maps, tombstones, transcriptions, military pensions, census, etc.
Vaudeville Entertainers
American Vaudeville Museum contains a comprehensive list of vaudeville performer profiles and history articles
The University of Iowa hosts the Keith/Albee Collection: The Vaudeville Industry, 1894-1935. You can access a finding aid here.
Vital Records
Birth Records
Marriage Records
Death Records
For the birth, marriage or death of U.S. citizens abroad, visit this link
Alternatives to Vital Records:
Burial and Cemetery records
Social Security Death Index
Census records
Church records
Bible records
Probate records
Newspapers
Yearbooks: