Lyceum - Basic Genealogy

Lyceum - Basic to Genealogy - In the Field

First Visit May be Daunting
Remember, It's Your Government at Work
Meeting the needs of Genealogists is not a normal function of local government
Obviously - Basic function is identical throughout the country.
Great difference between counties facilities and approach
Most records are public, so you "should" have access to those you need
This can depend upon the cooperation of the officials/employees
Original Records Most Likely at the Courthouse
Microfilm copies at central state offices, archives, etc.
Helps to Know What You are Looking For When You Visit
Eg. Looking for deed to learn (or verify) name of person's wife
Eg. Looking for will/probate packet, expect to find names of heirs
Different Offices
- Clerks Office - Issues marriage licences and licences of all kinds
- Recorders Office - Keeps many of the "returns"
  Marriage Returns
  Land transactions - Register your Deed
  Mortgages, Land Surveys
- Surveyor's Office - Good source for county maps - roads,
- Public Health Department - Birth and Death records
- Clerk of Court
  Wills - Probate Records - Court Books - Naturalization Records

Will need Good Map and/or Directions
Small/unmaintained/private cemeteries - Thistles and snakes
May need landowner's permission
Very large cemeteries - Have their own records
If cemetery has been "walked"
Idea of location of graves
You'll want to see monuments, verify inscriptions
Family plots and/or neighboring plots - close family members
Take plenty of pictures
Take good notes - hard to do on cold or rainy days
In some instances - "Rubbing" will be necessary