Helpful Hints

Whether you're just getting started or you've been tracing your roots for years, these research hints might help you
latch onto a vital bit of information.

Where do I begin?
Start with yourself and work back one generation at a time in reverse life order (death, marriage, birth). Obtain your birth certificate, marriage records and other important documents.
Do the same for your parents and each preceding generation.
Try to get three different documents to prove each major life
event like birth, marriage and death.

What is the most common mistake new researchers make?
Many novices ignore variations in the spelling of surnames. There has never been a universal way to spell specific surnames. The German surname Ulrich, for example, may appear as Ulery, Ullery, Whoolery and Oolery on different documents for the same person.

What kinds of documents provide the proof I need?
Birth, marriage and death certificates, marriage license applications, wills and probate records, church and cemetery records, funeral home records, federal and state census records, obituaries, military pension files and Social Security card applications are among the potential resources.

Where do I get birth and death records?
Most counties began requiring birth and death records around
the late 1800s. Earlier records do exist, and may be in the county courthouse or the county may have shipped them to the state archives. Keeping vital statistics became a state responsibility around 1905. For records after that time, contact the state's vital statistics office. (Dates vary by state and county).

Where are marriage records kept?
Marriages were generally recorded in the county where the ceremony took place. Records may date back to the mid-1800s
or earlier. Older records are most likely to be found in the state's archives. From the late 1800s on, the counties usually have the records. (Dates vary by state and county).

What is the difference between a marriage certificate
and a marriage license application?
The marriage certificate is a record of the ceremony suitable for framing. The application contains more genealogical data like names of the parents of the bride and groom, previous marriages and occupations.

Where do I find federal census records?
Census records from 1790-1930 are available. Most public libraries and Mormon Family History Centers have a selection of census records. Any records they don't have on-site can be ordered through inter-library loan. Many large public universities also have complete census records in their main libraries.

Are official documents accurate?
Errors exist on all types of documents. That's why you need to use three different sources to prove major life events. Death certificates are among the least accurate records. Military pension and probate records are usually the most correct.

What about published family histories?
Everyone makes mistakes. Published histories should only be
used as a guideline for conducting your own research.

What are some of the most overlooked resources?
Funeral home records, old newspapers and local history books
often contain a treasure trove of information.

Click on Research Topics for in-depth information on various topics.