R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

A Guide to Research
   

Table of Contents
Why Family History?
Introduction
     Purpose
     Records At The Family History Library
     Services And Resources
     Research Process
1. Identify What You Know About Your Family
     Fill Out A Pedigree Chart And Family Group Record
     Gather Additional Information
     Organize Your Records
2. Decide What You Want To Learn About Your Family
     Select An Ancestor
     Select A Research Question
     Prepare A Research Log
3. Select Records To Search
     Identify A Record Category
     Compiled Records
     Original Records
     Choose A Record Type
     Select Specific Records To Search
     Describe The Records On Your Research Log
4. Obtain And Search The Record
     Obtain The Record
     Search The Record
     Record The Results
5. Use The Information
     Evaluate The Information
     Transfer The Information
     Organize Your Records
     Share Information
     Repeat The Process
Additional
     Indexing Of Records
     Other Services
     Library Rules
Selecting Record Types

ADDITIONAL


INDEXING OF RECORDS

As you search for your family members beyond the first few generations, you will often use original records. Many of these records are not indexed and may be in languages or handwriting you are not familiar with. You can help index names found in original records, thereby making the records more accessible to other researchers.

If you have a current indexing project that you will be publishing, please register it by writing to the Genealogical Projects Registry, 35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150. To obtain information from the registry, write to Genealogical Projects Registry, National Genealogical Society, 4527 Seventeenth Street North, Arlington, VA 22207-2399, USA.

Thousands of volunteers are helping to extract or index information from vitalLook this term up in the glossary., censusLook this term up in the glossary., and immigrationLook this term up in the glossary. records. For information about how you can participate in the Family Record Extraction program, ask a staff member for the name of the local extraction director.


OTHER SERVICES

The following services are also available to you.


Orientation

A fifteen-minute video program accompanies this booklet. To view this program, ask a staff member to show it to you.

A brief orientation program is available at the Family History Library. To preserve the quiet research environment of the library, guided tours are not provided. Family history centers may provide orientation programs, including guided tours. Ask a staff member.

An orientation to FamilySearch™ and the FamilySearch Center is available on each FamilySearch computer in the center.


Group Visits

For group visits, please contact the Family History Library, the FamilySearch™ Center, or a family history center in advance for a list of services, hours, holiday schedules, and other information that can make your visit more successful. Basic services are listed in the publication Family History Library and Family History Centers Services and Resources. This publication is updated annually. Ensure that your group is prepared to use the facility. In the Family History LibraryLook this term up in the glossary. and FamilySearch CenterLook this term up in the glossary., you can request a room for classes or meetings. The FamilySearch Center has rooms available with FamilySearch computers for group activities.

When you are in the research areas of the Family History Library, please separate into groups of no more than five, with a leader for each group.


Additional Instruction

Ask a staff member about classes, printed aids, video training programs, and other instructional resources. Genealogical forms and instructional publications are available for sale. In the Family History Library, items for sale are located near each copy center.


Accredited Genealogists

If you wish to hire a researcher, ask a staff member for a list of accredited genealogists and the publication Hiring a Professional Genealogist.


Correspondence

The Family History Library will respond to any questions that can be answered briefly but does not provide a research service. Ask a staff member for a Reference Questionnaire form on which to send your question.


Family History Centers

Family History centers are located throughout the world. You can use most of the Family History Library's microfilms on loan. Ask a staff member for a list of addresses for a specific area.


Other Libraries and Archives

Excellent information is available from courthouses, libraries, archives, and societies. Ask a staff member for addresses and more information.


LIBRARY RULES

The Family History Library, the FamilySearch Center, and family history centers offer their services to the public with the understanding that those who use the collection will abide by the guidelines governing such use. Please observe the following rules so that all patrons can successfully use the facilities:

  1. Please handle the equipment, books, and other materials carefully.
  2. Please maintain a quiet atmosphere for research.
  3. Do not leave personal belongings unattended. The library or center is not responsible for items that are lost or stolen.
  4. Children under twelve must be kept under the control of their parents.
  5. Food and drinks are not permitted in a family history center. In the Family History Library, they are permitted only in the snack room.
  6. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the building or on the grounds.

The Family History Library has the following additional rules. Ask a staff member at the FamilySearch Center or a family history center for the rules for their facilities.

  1. You may take up to five rolls of microfilm from the cabinets at any given time. Please refile each microfilm you use.
  2. If the library is busy and you expect to be away from a microfilm reader for more than thirty minutes, take your materials with you so someone else can use the machine. Materials left at an unused reader for more than thirty minutes may be removed by a library attendant.
  3. You may take up to five books from the shelves at any given time. Please return books to the red shelves at the end of the stacks where the books were found.
  4. When using photocopy equipment, please limit yourself to five copies when others are waiting.


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Selecting Record Types

OBJECTIVETo obtain information about— RECORD TYPESLook in the Family History Library Catalog, Locality section for these record types:
  First look for: Then look for:
Age Census, Vital Records*, Cemeteries Miltary Records, Taxation, Obituaries
Birth date Vital Records*, Church Records, Bible Records Cemeteries, Obituaries, Census, Newspapers, Military Records
Birth date Vital Records*, Church Records, Bible Records Cemeteries, Obituaries, Census, Newspapers, Military Records
Birthplace Vital Records*, Church Records, Census Newspapers, Obituaries, Military Records
City or parish of foreign birth Church Records, Genealogy, Biography, Obituaries, Naturalization and Citizenship Emigration and Immigration, Vital Records*, History
Country of foreign birth Census, Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship, Vital Records* Military Records, Church Records, Newspapers, Obituaries
County origins and boundaries History, Maps Gazetteers
DeathLook this term up in the glossary. Vital Records, Cemeteries, Probate Records, Church Records, Obituaries Newspapers, Military Records, Court Records, Land and Property
DivorceLook this term up in the glossary. Court Records, Divorce Records Newspapers, Vital Records*
EthnicityLook this term up in the glossary. Minorities, Native Races, Societies Church Records, Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship
Historical backgroundLook this term up in the glossary. History, Periodicals, Genealogy Church History, Minorities
ImmigrationLook this term up in the glossary. or emigrationLook this term up in the glossary. date Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship, Genealogy Census, Biography, Newspapers, Church Records
Maiden nameLook this term up in the glossary. Vital Records*, Church Records, Newspapers, Bible Records Military Records, Cemeteries, Probate Records, Obituaries
MarriageLook this term up in the glossary. Vital Records*, Church Records, Census, Newspapers, Bible Records Biography, Genealogy, Military Records, Probate Records, Land and Property, Nobility
OccupationLook this term up in the glossary. Census, Directories, Emigration and Immigration, Civil Registration, Occupations, Probate Records Newspapers, Court Records, Obituaries, Officials and Employees
Parents, children, and other family members Vital Records*, Church Records, Census, Probate Records, Obituaries Bible Records, Newspapers, Emigration and Immigration, Land and Property
Physical description Military Records, Biography, Court Records Naturalization and Citizenship, Civil Registration, Church Records, Emigration and Immigration, Genealogy, Newspapers
Place-finding aids Gazetteers, Maps Directories, History, Periodicals, Land and Property, Taxation
Place (town) of residence when you know only the state Census, Genealogy, Military Records, Vital Records*, Church Records, Directories Biography, Probate Records, History, Land and Property, Taxation
Places family has lived Census, Land and Property, History Military Records, Taxation, Obituaries
Previous researchLook this term up in the glossary. (compiled genealogy) Genealogy, Periodicals, History Biography, Societies, Nobility
Record-finding aidsLook this term up in the glossary. Archives and Libraries, Societies, Genealogy Periodicals
ReligionLook this term up in the glossary. Church Records, History, Biography, Civil Registration Bible Records, Cemeteries, Obituaries, Genealogy

*Outside the United States and Canada, see "Civil Registration" instead of "Vital Records."

Note: Also search the Family History Library Catalog, Subject section for key topics in your objective.

Paper publication: 3rd edition, 1994. English approval: 4/93.

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©1998, 2001 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. No part of this document may be reprinted, posted on-line, or reproduced in any form for any purpose without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. FamilySearch is a trademark of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
[FamilySearchTM: Research Guidance
Version of Data: 6/8/2001]