GenTip 23

Genealogy tip 23—Search in count records for 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 23: Search County Date Records.

Genealogy Tip Series

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

Quick GenTip  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 23: Search in County Records

If you’ve located an ancestor on a census, you know their county of residence. Now you’re ready to search for the records at the state and county level to find written evidence of that person’s life. Documents may include newspapers, county histories, special genealogy collections, tax lists, voter registrations, court records, probates, wills, estate papers, etc.

Use the Ancestry Records Selection Table on the following pages to help you decide which records will help you fill in missing pieces in your pedigree chart and family group sheet. This table is most helpful for searching post-1800 records.

Ancestry Records Selection Table

When looking for this information Look for these records first Look for these records second
Age Church: Parish records, mem­bership records
Family: Bible records
Government: Vital records		 Government: Census
Newspaper: Obituaries
Other: Cemeteries
Birth Church: Parish records, mem­bership records
Family: Bible records
Government: Vital records
Other: Cemeteries		 Government: Census, military, taxation
Newspaper: Obituaries
Birth, foreign Family: Bible, biography, Genealogy
Government: Census, emigra­tion, immigration, naturaliza­tion, citizenship		 Church: Parish records, mem­bership records
Library: Histories, maps, gazetteers
Newspaper: Obituaries
Death Church: Parish records, mem­bership records
Government: Death, probate
Newspaper: Obituaries
Other: Cemeteries, funeral homes, hospitals		 Government: Military, court, land and property
Newspaper: Articles
Divorce Government: Court records, divorce records Government: Vital records
Newspaper: Articles
Religion Church: Parish records, mem­bership records
Government: Civil registration
Library: History, biography		 Family/library: Bible records, Genealogy
Newspaper: Obituaries
Other: Cemeteries
Family members Church: parish records, mem­bership records
Government: Vital records, census, probate
Newspaper: Obituaries		 Family: Bible
Government: Immigration, emi­gration, land and property
Immigration, emigration Government: Immigration, emigration, naturalization, citizenship
Family/library: Genealogy		 Church: Membership records
Government: Census
Library: Biography
Newspaper: Articles
Living relatives and adoptions Family: Bible records, court records
Government: Vital records
Newspapers: Obituaries		 Church: Parish records, mem­bership records
Library: Histories, maps,

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