GenTip 24

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

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 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

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