Family History

How to Google Family Histories and biographies for ancestry research.

Family history is a book or document that gives facts and information about one or more generations of a family. Published family histories are sometimes referred to as genealogies. They represent a compilation of a family historian’s research, in which all the family information they gathered is compiled into a publishable volume. For many family historians and genealogists, publishing complete family history is their ultimate goal. Many family historians then sell their work to the general public or other family members or donate it to a local library. A good family history—well researched, well documented, and containing information relevant to several families—can achieve widespread distribution.

Make sure you look in the notes section of family and personal histories. As a historian and genealogist, the family and personal histories will provide clear documentation for statements made; footnotes and bibliographies can provide critical data if you engage in a process known as citation analysis. This process involves taking a critical look at all notes and bibliographic references to analyze them for evidence of previously unknown record groups, publications, court records, and other papers that might document an ancestor’s life. The common websites that researchers first think of are Ancestry, Archives, FamilySearch, FindMyPast and MyHeritage.

Genealogy and historical societies are usually great sources for finding histories, which are invaluable as you discover the roots of your ancestors. Also, search libraries and archives, and many can also be found at the Family History Library and local family history centers.

Google 18 Types of Ancestor Records

The following is an overview of the common 18 types of ancestor records that I have found constantly valuable in my historical and genealogy research and hundreds of other resources I have learned to research and use through the years. When I mastered researching these resources, I could quickly expand my research to other records to help me connect the pieces of my genealogy puzzle.

Google Ancestor Records
Cemetery Records Census Records Church Records
Civil Vital Records Directory Records Family Histories
Histories and Biographies Land Records Maps
Message Boards, Mailing Lists, and Wiki’s Military Records Naturalization Records
Newspaper Records Photographs Probate Records
Publications and Periodicals Ship Passenger Lists Writings of Ancestors

In my profile of each resource, I have included what you will find, how to use the resource, and research insights for each resource. I would encourage you to use this section as a starting point from which you can search out and find other genealogical tutorials, and guides that help to provide deeper insights.  The common websites that researchers first think of are Ancestry, Archives, FamilySearch, FindMyPast and MyHeritage.

Google Other Ancestor Records

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