United States Basic Search Strategies

Step 1. Identify What You Know about Your Family
Your genealogical research should begin with family and home sourcesLook this term up in the glossary.. Look for names, dates, and places in certificatesLook this term up in the glossary., family BiblesLook this term up in the glossary., obituariesLook this term up in the glossary., diariesLook this term up in the glossary., and similar sources. Ask your relatives for any additional information they have. It's very likely that your second cousin, great-aunt, or other relative has already gathered some family information. Record and organize the information you find on pedigree chartsLook this term up in the glossary. and family group recordLook this term up in the glossary. forms.

Step 2. Decide What You Want to Learn
Select an ancestorLook this term up in the glossary. or relative you would like to know more about. It's usually best to begin with an individual for whom you know at least a name, a place where he lived, and an approximate date when he lived there. Then decide what you want to learn about him, such as where and when he was married or the names of his parents. You may want to ask an experienced researcher or a librarian to help you select a goal that you can successfully achieve.

Step 3. Select a Record to Search
This outline describes most types of records used for United States research. To trace your family you may need to use some of the records described in each section. Several factors can affect your choice of which records to search. This outline provides information to help you evaluate the contents, availability, ease of use, time period covered, and reliability of the records, as well as the likelihood that your ancestor will be listed.

Effective researchers begin by obtaining some background information. They then survey previous research, and finally they search original documents.

Background InformationLook this term up in the glossary.. You may need some geographicalLook this term up in the glossary. and historical informationLook this term up in the glossary.. This information can save you time and effort by helping you focus your research in the correct place and time period.

* Locate the town or place. Examine mapsLook this term up in the glossary., gazetteersLook this term up in the glossary., and other place-finding aids to learn as much as you can about each of the places where your ancestors lived. Identify the major migration routesLook this term up in the glossary., nearby cities, county boundaries, and other geographical features and governmentLook this term up in the glossary. or ecclesiasticalLook this term up in the glossary. jurisdictions. Place-finding aids are described in the “Maps,” “Gazetteers,” and “History” sections of this outline. * Review local historyLook this term up in the glossary.. Study a history of the areas where your ancestors lived for clues about the people, places, and events that may have effected their lives and the records about them. Records with information about migrationLook this term up in the glossary. and settlementLook this term up in the glossary. patterns, government jurisdictions, and historical events are described in the “History” and “Minorities” sections of this outline.

Previous ResearchLook this term up in the glossary.. After gaining some background information, you will be ready to look for any research that has already been gathered by others, such as:

* Printed family historiesLook this term up in the glossary. and genealogies * Family information published in periodicalsLook this term up in the glossary. * BiographiesLook this term up in the glossary. * Local historiesLook this term up in the glossary. * Manuscript Look this term up in the glossary.collections of family information * Family newslettersLook this term up in the glossary. * Computer databasesLook this term up in the glossary. of family information * HereditaryLook this term up in the glossary. and lineageLook this term up in the glossary. society records

These can save you valuable time and often provide excellent information. For example, if you were researching the Pierce family, you may find a book or magazine article about your family, such as the Pierce Genealogy: Being the Record of the Posterity of Thomas Pierce.

Many records containing previous research are described in the “Biography,” “Genealogy,” “History,” “Periodicals,” and “Societies” sections of the outline. Remember, however, that the information in these sources is secondary and may need to be verified by original records.

Original DocumentsLook this term up in the glossary.. After surveying previous research, you will be ready to search original documents. These records can provide primary information about your family because they were generally recorded at or near the time of an event by a reliable witness. To do thorough research, you should search the existing records of:

* Each place where your ancestor lived * The complete time period when he lived there * All jurisdictionsLook this term up in the glossary. that may have kept records about him (church and town, county, state, and federal governments)

Many types of original documents are described in the “Census,” “Church Records,” “Emigration and Immigration,” “Probate Records,” “Vital Records,” and other sections of this outline.

Step 4. Obtain and Search the Record
Suggestions for Obtaining Records. You may be able to obtain the records you need in the following ways:

* Family History LibraryLook this term up in the glossary.. You are welcome to visit and use the records at the Family History Library. The library is open to the public, and there are no fees for using the records. Contact the library if you would like more information about its services. * Family History CentersLook this term up in the glossary.. Copies of most of the records on microform at the Family History Library can be loaned to our Family History Centers. There are small duplication and postage fees for this service. The library's books cannot be loaned to the centers, but copies of many books that are not protected by copyright can be obtained on microfilm or microfiche. For more information see Family History Library and Family History Centers: Library Services and Resources (32957). For addresses and telephone numbers of centers near you, telephone Family History Center Support, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. mountain time, at 800-346- 6044. * Local librariesLook this term up in the glossary. and interlibrary loanLook this term up in the glossary.. Public and university libraries have many published sources as well as some records on microform. Most of these libraries also provide interlibrary loan services that allow you to borrow many records from other libraries. Although books at the Family History Library cannot be loaned to a Family History Center or other libraries, copies of these same books can often be obtained through your nearest public library. * Computers. The number of genealogical resources accessible via computer is growing rapidly. If you have a computer with a modemLook this term up in the glossary., you can search the InternetLook this term up in the glossary., bulletin boardsLook this term up in the glossary., and commercial on-line servicesLook this term up in the glossary. for genealogical information (see the “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline). Some of the records in the FamilySearch™Look this term up in the glossary. system are described in the “Genealogy” section. The Family History Library CatalogLook this term up in the glossary. on computer is a key tool for selecting records. * CourthousesLook this term up in the glossary. and archivesLook this term up in the glossary.. Many of the original documents you will need are at state, county, and town courthouses and archives. While the Family History Library has many of these records on microfilm, additional records are available only at the courthouse. You can visit these record repositoriesLook this term up in the glossary. or request photocopies of their records through correspondence. Very few archives will search the original documents for you, but, for a small fee, many will search an index and provide copies of the information they find. (See the “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline for further information.) * GenealogicalLook this term up in the glossary. and HistoricalLook this term up in the glossary. Societies. Many counties and states have genealogical and historical societies that collect familyLook this term up in the glossary. and local historiesLook this term up in the glossary., Bible recordsLook this term up in the glossary., cemetery recordsLook this term up in the glossary., genealogies, manuscriptsLook this term up in the glossary., newspapers, and records of pioneers. Some societies are able to briefly search their records for you. (See also the “Societies” section of this outline.) * Professional researchersLook this term up in the glossary.. You can employ private researchers to search the records for you. Lists of professional researchers are available from the Family History Library, the Board for Certification of GenealogistsLook this term up in the glossary. (P.O. Box 14291, Washington, D.C. 20004), and the Association of Professional GenealogistsLook this term up in the glossary. (3421 M Street N.W., Suite 236, Washington, D.C. 20007-3552). Local archives, libraries, and societies may also provide the names of individuals in the area who will search records for you. For more information about professional researchers see Hiring a Professional Genealogist Resource Guide (34548). * PhotocopiesLook this term up in the glossary.. The Family History Library and many other libraries offer limited photoduplicationLook this term up in the glossary. services for a small fee. Most will provide a few photocopies, but only if you specify the exact pages you need. Many will also photocopy a few pages of an index or an alphabetical record (such as a city directory) for a specific surname. * Publishers. You can purchase records from their publishers if the records are still in print. A local book dealer or library can help you identify and contact publishers. A helpful list of genealogical publishers and publications is:

Hoffman, Marian. Genealogical and Local History Books in Print, 5th ed. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1996. (FHL book 973 D23h; computer number 784541.)

You can purchase Family History Library publications (research outlinesLook this term up in the glossary., resource guides,Look this term up in the glossary. and genealogical word listsLook this term up in the glossary.) from the Salt Lake Distribution Center or from the library. This outline often gives the number you need to order the publication (a five-digit number in parentheses) after its title. You can find titles, number of pages, prices, and order numbers in the free Family History Publications List (34083). The Family History Library and Family History Centers do not sell books.

* Bookstores. Some bookstores carry newer family history books. Often you can obtain out-of-print books from the very large bookstores. For a small fee they can advertise nationwide for old books.

When requesting any of the above services through correspondence, you are more likely to be successful if your letter is brief and very specific. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE)Look this term up in the glossary.. You will usually need to send a check or money order to pay in advance for photocopy or search services, although some organizations will bill you later.

Suggestions for Searching the Records. Your research may be more rewarding and more effective if you can visit the library or archives and personally search the records. Examine the original sourcesLook this term up in the glossary. or exact microformLook this term up in the glossary. copies when possible, rather than abstractsLook this term up in the glossary. (summaries of the original documents).

As you search the records, remember that handwriting may have been misinterpreted or information may have been omitted in indexesLook this term up in the glossary. and transcriptionsLook this term up in the glossary.. Also look for the many ways a name could have been spelled. Because spelling was not standardized, don't eliminate possibilities when you find a name spelled differently than it is today.

Step 5. Evaluate, Copy, and Use the Information
Carefully evaluate whether the information you find is complete and accurate. Ask yourself these questions:

* Who provided the information? Did they witness the event? * Was the information recorded near the time of the event, or later? * Is the information consistent and logical? * Does the new information verify the information found in other sources? Does it differ from information in other sources? * Does it suggest other places, time periods, or records to search?

Make copies of the information you find and keep detailed notes about each record you search. These notes should include the author, title, location, call numbers, description, and results of your search. Most researchers use a research log for this purpose.

Share the information you find with others. Your family's history can become a source of enjoyment and education for yourself and your family. Helpful guides on how to write a family history are available, such as:

Gouldrup, Lawrence P. Writing the Family Narrative. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1987. (FHL book 929.1 G738w; computer number 468329.)

See the “Genealogy” section of this outline for information about the Ancestral FileLook this term up in the glossary. and other ways you can share the results of your research.

You do not have to use computers to do family history, but they can be very helpful. Personal Ancestral FileLook this term up in the glossary. and similar software programs help you transcribe, organize, display, print, and transmit your findings to other researchers who use personal computers.

If you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsLook this term up in the glossary., be sure to submit information about your deceased family members so you can provide temple ordinances for them. Your ward family history consultant or a staff member at the library can assist you.