Genealogy tip 24—Start your ancestry research at home.
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 Quick GenTip 24: Start Ancestry Research at Home.
Genealogy Tip Series
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Genealogy Tip 24: Start Your Ancestry Research at Home
Every research project begins at home. Whether you are looking for information for the first time or searching through your research folders, your home is a valued source of family information.
Take time to look for records that you might have. Use the following chart as a guide to sources of information that you might find in your home or a relative’s home.
Birth | Birth certificate | Health | Hospital and medical records |
Adoption record | Immunization records | ||
Baby book | Insurance papers | ||
Records | |||
Citizenship | Alien registration | Household Items | Dishes/silverware |
Deportment papers | Engraved items | ||
Naturalization papers | Quilts | ||
Tapestries/needlework | |||
Civil and Legal Activity | Bonds | Land and Property Ownership | Abstracts of title |
Contracts | Deeds | ||
Guardian papers | Estate records | ||
Summons/subpoena | Land grants | ||
Mortgages/leases | |||
Water rights | |||
Death | Death certificate | Licenses | Business/occupation |
Funeral book | Driver/motor vehicles | ||
Memorial cards | Firearms | ||
Obituary | Hunting/fishing | ||
Will | Passport/visas | ||
Professional | |||
Divorce | Paperwork | Marriage | Anniversary |
Announcement | |||
Wedding announcement | |||
Wedding book | |||
Employment | Apprenticeship records | Military Service | Disability records |
Disability records | Discharge records | ||
Income tax records | National Guard records | ||
Pension records | Pension records | ||
Retirement records | Selective service records | ||
Social Security card | Service medals/ribbons | ||
Union records | Sword/firearms | ||
Uniform | |||
Religious-Activity | Baptismal/christening record | ||
Journal/diary | Blessing | ||
Letters | Ministerial record | ||
Newspaper clippings | Ordination Confirmation record | ||
Photographs | Church records | ||
Publications | |||
Scrapbooks | |||
Family | Bibles | School | Awards |
Bulletins/newsletters | Graduation diplomas | ||
Coats of arms | Honor roll | ||
Histories | Report cards | ||
Lineages/genealogies | Transcripts | ||
Yearbooks |
Additional Articles on BeginMyStory.com
The following are other articles you may enjoy to help you find history and genealogy records.
- QuickStart Beginners Guide to Ancestry Research
- Introduction to Ancestry Research and Historical Records
- 7,500-plus Questions About Life to Ask People When Writing Narratives
- 1950 U.S. Census Research Guide for Beginners
- 4 Easy Steps to Google American Ancestry
- Preparing to Easily Google Ancestor Records
- Complete Guide for Conducting Oral History Interviews
- How to Get Great Google Search Results in Ancestry Research
- 9 Advanced Google Search Strategies to Trace Ancestors
- What It’s Like to Start Ancestry Research
- Search sites like FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com