Obtain and Search the Record in Ancestry Research (Genealogy Tip 15)

Genealogy tip 15—Obtain and search the record in Ancestry Research.

Being a history researcher comes with the need to learn and understand how to research records, find the key information and develop a plan that will take you to all available information. Through the years, I have had the pleasure of conducting historical and genealogy research throughout the United States and Europe. Every time I conduct research in a new location, I feel like I have to learn/relearn how to conduct historical research. Why? I need to learn where the records are kept, what is available, develop a plan of how to research this location and so much more. I have written a series of Genealogy Tips to introduce you to what I consider to be the most foundational skills I use over and over. In this article, I want to share Genealogy Tip 15: Obtain and Search the Record.

Table of Contents

Genealogy Tip Series

Click on an of the following Genealogy Tips to be taken to the article.

Genealogy Tip Series for History and Genealogy Research
1. Focus on One Ancestor at A Time	15. Obtain and Search the Record
2. Prayer is an Essential Tool	16. Use Multiple Sources to Correlate Information
3. Nine Ways to Stay Focused in History and Genealogy	17. Every Record Has Value
4. Build An Identity Profile About Ancestors	18. Use and Record What You Learn
5. Set Realistic Goals for History and Genealogy	19. Detailed and Exhaustive Research
6. Follow Every Clue in History And Genealogy	20. Cite and Verify Ancestry Research
7. Remember the Power of One	21. US Census, Vital Records, and Other Records
8. Five-step Process to Discover Your Ancestors	22. Events Create Records
9. Research with Fresh Eyes	23. Search in County and Date Records
10. Genealogy Requires Preparation	24. Start Ancestry Research at Home
11. Expect the Unexpected in Genealogy Research	25. Start Organized and Stay Organized
12. Learning Begins with A Research Question	26. Strategy for Searching Societies and Libraries
13. Learn and Use the Genealogical Proof Standard	27. Genealogy and Social Networking Sites
14. Conduct Evidence Analysis	28. 16 Forms to Gather, Manage and Guide Your Research

Genealogy Tip 15: Obtain and Search the Record in Ancestry Research

As historians and genealogists, we are continually searching for the records our ancestors left behind. They come in all forms, such as vital records (like birth, marriage, and death certificates), census, land, military, etc. Often, however, we only look for the name of an ancestor, dates, and places.

Do you know that for every record you find, an additional search can give many clues that will lead to more documents, resources, and family members than what you are searching the document for?

The key to gaining the most from your research is learning about the records you are searching for and understanding how you can use them. The more you know about the record type you are researching, the more successful you will find and use the information to extend your research success.

From my experience, once I have chosen the source I will search, I try to learn about the source and how to use the information I might find. For example, if I were going to be searching the 1880 United States Federal Census, I would search for a study guide to teach me how to research and use the information in the record. If my source were a person, I would contact them, make a list of questions, and conduct and record my interview. I would make sure that I record or make a copy of the information I have found. This provides the information necessary for citing and analyzing what is found from the source.

When researching a record or source, some of the common issues you will face include:

Name changes: It was common for immigrants to change or shorten their names after arriving in a new country. You may need to check for various possibilities.

Spelling variations: Many ancestor names have variant spellings. Many recorders spelled names according to sound. A person may also be listed under a nickname or abbreviation.

Handwriting: Most original documents you will search are handwritten. If you cannot read a letter, look at other names in the record to see how the writer made certain letters. Some handbooks illustrate the ways letters were written in earlier times.

Dates: You may want to check a range of dates for an event, and it may be recorded on a different date than you expect.
Being aware of these issues and how to use a source in its entirety will help you get the most out of your genealogical research.

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