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Family history resources use various sources to obtain valuable information, with census records being the most popular. Other sources include vital records, obituaries, historical journals, immigration and military records, directories, and shared information from other researchers.
There are many family history resources available on the Internet. Such resources can make the task of tracing your roots easier, significantly reducing the amount of time and effort you spend tracing your family history. You may wonder, however, how family history resources come to hold such valuable information. While there are many places to look for information, census records top the list of sources used by family history resources.
A census is a count or list of individuals populating a particular area. Census information includes vital information such as the names, ages, genders, and racial origins of the area’s occupants. Other vital information is also included. In the United States, a census is conducted every ten years. Many family history resources obtain a good deal of information from census records.
In addition to census records, many family history resources obtain information from agencies responsible for maintaining population records. In the United States, for example, an individual can obtain birth, death, marriage, and divorce records from the state’s Bureau of Vital Statistics. Such records provide an objective look at important personal moments in the lives of our ancestors. Personal records are important not only for chronicling events, but also for verifying facts and recognizing your relative among other people with the same name. Land, court, and probate records are also good sources of information.
Some family history resources also provide information obtained from obituaries. In fact, some of the best genealogy research websites provide collections of obituaries from hundreds of different journals. Keep in mind, however, that even the most comprehensive resource may not be able to provide obituaries for generations. Many offer obituary collections that are limited to a specific time period.
Historical journals are also frequently used by family history resources. Historical journals can provide important clues about past events, dates, and individuals. For example, historic newspapers often contain birth and marriage announcements as well as obituaries and legal notices. Sometimes, historic newspapers contain details that are hard to find in public records.
Many family history resources also obtain information from immigration records. For example, passenger lists can provide names, ages, and employment information, as well as details of the passenger’s place of origin, destination, and travel dates. Naturalization records can provide much of the same information, as well as details of birth date and location, the individual’s last foreign address, the location of the naturalization court, and the date the oath was taken of fidelity. A physical description may also be included.
Military records are another important source of information for family history resources. From draft lists and casualty records to service lists and data, military intelligence can provide valuable insights into the lives of our ancestors. Some military records may also include information about the next of kin of the person you’re researching.
Other sources of genealogy information include directories and member directories. Such resources may include telephone, corporate, and alumni directories. Member lists for popular groups and organizations can also be used.
In addition to official sources, many family history resources obtain information from other researchers who choose to share the information they obtain. Some genealogy services provide this data in searchable databases. Thanks to such databases, individuals are often able to find bits of family details or missing links to ancestral trees, without extensive searching.
