R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

United States
Research Outline
   

Table of Contents
Introduction
     Using This Outline
     Records At The Family History Library
     The Family History Library Catalog
     Access To Family History Library Periodicals
Basic Search Strategies
     Map Of The United States
Archives And Libraries
     Other Libraries
     State Archives And State Libraries
     County And Town Courthouses
     Historical And Genealogical Societies
     Federal Repository Libraries
     Inventories, Registers, Catalogs
Bible Records
Biography
     Individual Biographies
     Compiled Biographies
Cemeteries
     Locating Cemeteries And Cemetery Records
     Records At The Family History Library
     Funeral Home Records
Census
     Federal Censuses
     Colonial, State, And Local Censuses
Church Records
     History Of American Churches
     Finding Church Records
     Church Records At The Family History Library
     Guides To Church Records
Court Records
     Federal Courts
     State And Local Courts
     Major Types Of Court Records
     Locating Court Records
     Court Records Of Adoption
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
     Finding The Country And City Of Origin
     Passenger Arrival Records
     Ship Arrival Records
     Other Published Sources
     Canadian Border Crossings, 1895-1954
     Passports
     Emigration Records Of Europe
Gazetteers
     Modern Place Names
     Historical Place Names
Genealogy
     Unique Sources Available From The Family History Library
     Published Sources
     Manuscript Collections
Historical Geography
History
     United States History
     Local Histories
Land And Property
     Government Land Grants
     Subsequent Exchanges Of Land
Maps
     Plat Maps
     Ward Maps Of Major Cities
     Topographic Maps
     Atlases
     Historical Atlases
     Locating Township And County Boundaries
     Land Ownership Maps
Military Records
     Types Of Military Service
     Selected Family History Library Holdings From The National Archives
     U.S. Army
     Guidebooks
Minorities
Native Races
Naturalization And Citizenship
     Requirements For Naturalization
     Naturalization Process
     Naturalization Records
     Locating Naturalization Records
Newspapers
Obituaries
Periodicals
     Genealogical Magazines Of General Interest
     Genealogical Journals
     Indexes
     Obtaining Periodicals
Probate Records
     The Probate Process
     Availability Of Probate Records
Societies
     Historical And Genealogical Societies
     Lineage And Hereditary Societies
     Family Associations
     Fraternal Organizations
     Guide To Societies And Associations
     Locating Society Records In The Family History Library Catalog
Taxation
Town Records
Vital Records
     General Historical Background
     Regional Differences
     Birth Records
     Marriage Records
     Divorce Records
     Death Records
     Locating Vital Records
Other Records
For Further Reading
     Basic Research Strategies
     More Information About U.S. Records
     Reading The Records
     Guides To Additional Sources
     For Ready Reference
Comments And Suggestions

HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHYLook this term up in the glossary.

Because counties were often divided and their names and boundaries changed, you may need to determine previous boundaries and jurisdictions to locate your ancestors' records. A county history is the best source of information about a county's origin. Other sources that can help you determine the origin of a county are:

Kane, Joseph Nathan. The American Counties: Origins of Names, Dates of Creation and Organization, Area, Population, Historical Data, and Published Sources. 4th ed. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 1983. (FHL book 973 E2ka 1983; computer number 373725.)

The Handy Book for Genealogists. 8th ed. Logan, Utah: Everton Publishers, 1991. (FHL book 973 D27e 1991; computer number 594019.)

Other sources about boundary changes are found in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under UNITED STATES - HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. The historical atlases described in the “Maps” section of this outline contain maps depicting county formations, migrationLook this term up in the glossary. and settlementLook this term up in the glossary. patterns, military actionsLook this term up in the glossary., ethnic distributionLook this term up in the glossary., religious trendsLook this term up in the glossary., and population trendsLook this term up in the glossary..

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