Lyceum - Basic Genealogy - Traditional and Enduring Resources

Hard Copy - Microfilm

• Most Useful Records Predate the Computer Era
  • Many Have Been Indexed
  • Many Have Been Microfilmed
  • Most Are Public
  • Many KEY Records You Need - Probably Unique
    Many researchers rely on either an index (usually internet), a citation or an abstract.
    If a record appears to apply to your research, best to get a copy. There might be additional material which will help.
• Sources for Vital, Genealogical and Historical Records/Material
  • Courthouses
    Your local governments at work. Most documents are directly available to the public.
    Exceptions: If microfilmed may be at public library. Some states restrict access to more recent vital records.
    • Vital Records - Birth, Marriage, Death, Divorce
    • Probate Records - Wills, probate proceedings, guardianship
    • Property Transactions - Surveys, Land patents, Deeds, Mortgages - At the Office of the Recorder
    • Immigration Records - Declaration of Intent - Naturalization Papers
  • Libraries
    (Public and Private Libraries, Genealogical Societies, Historical Societies, Religious, Governmental Archives)
    • Atlases - Historical maps of particular value
    • Cemetery records (See cemeteries)
    • Census Records - Indexes are indespensible
    • City Directories - Early "Yellow Pages"
    • Indexes/Abstracts of Court Records including Vital Records
    • Family Histories, Genealogies
    • Family File Folders
    • Histories - County "Mug Books" - Biographies
    • Newspapers - Obituaries and articles
    • Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
    • In some counties, access to old county records only on microfilm - often at the library.
  • Cemeteries
    • The closest you may ever come to meeting an ancestor
    • Cemetery records - the cemetery association
    • Cemetery Books - walking the cemetery - copies in local libraries
    • Recently - genealogists with digital cameras have catalogued cemeteries (and sometimes made images available).
  • State, Regional and National Libraries
    Have a much broader area focus. But local libraries, societies and the courthouse are still the best for specific local information.
  • Some Well-Known Genealogical Libraries - The Meccas
    Allen County (Fort Wayne, Indiana) Public Library
    LDS Library in Salt Lake City
  • Archives - State
    State Government Records - Often Microfilm of County Records (Deads, Court Records, Vital Records)
  • Federal Archives - Particularly Military Records
  • Church Records - Particularly Roman Catholic, or in Europe the State Churches
• Observation - There is an Incredible Amount of Information Available
  • Our Society - Use and Discard
  • Not So - Government, Libraries, Family Chroniclers

© Prepared by Jay January 10, 2006