Genealogy: Beyond the Basics
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Finding and using U.S. records in your genealogical research.
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Genealogy: Beyond the Basics
- 1. Genealogy: Beyond the Basics Finding and Using U.S. Records for Your Genealogical Research Presented by: Elaine Jones Hayes Special Collections Librarian Laramie County Library System 1
- 2. Review of Beginning Genealogy 1. Record What You Already Know 2. Read a How-to Book 3. Begin Your Research At Home 4. Look for compiled information 5. Choose one ancestral line to research 6. Look for Original Records 2
- 3. Other U.S. Records • Probate (Wills) • Land • Church • Cemetery and Burial • Newspapers • Federal and Local Tax • Military • City Directories • Immigration/Naturalization 3
- 4. Where to Find Public Records? • Check books and periodicals in libraries. • Check the Internet & Genealogy Internet databases such as: –Ancestry Library Edition –Heritage Quest –www.familysearch.org 4
- 5. But not everything is on the Internet: • You may have to go to the original source in a county courthouse, state vital records division, state archives, etc. And pay $ to get a copy of the birth certificate, will, etc. • Search the Internet on Google.com or another search engine, but look for a .gov website. 5
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- 8. About Internet Searching: • Verify what you find. • Learn to do a really good Internet search. • Try using Google advanced search at http://www.google.com/advanced_search 8
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- 11. Ancestry Library Edition: Much more than just census images. 11
- 12. Probate Court Records • Probate process involves: –Collecting a decedent’s assets –Liquidating liabilities –Paying necessary taxes –Distributing property to heirs 12
- 13. More About Probate Court • Probate court has general power over: –probate of wills, –administration of estates, and –in some states, is empowered to appoint guardians or approve adoption of minors. • May be called Surrogate or Orphan’s Court 13
- 14. Two Classes of Probate Records: • Testate- –Person died leaving a valid will • Intestate- –Person died leaving no will 14
- 15. Why Use Probate Records? • Exist in times and places earlier than other records. • Identify family relationships and verify death dates. • Name spouse or past-spouses and children. 15
- 16. Where to Find Probate Court Records • Most wills are registered and filed in the counties where they were probated. • Also books or periodicals. • Internet: • www.ancestrylibrary.com • ancestry.com or www.familysearch.org. 16
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- 20. Land Records • Land records exist from the very beginning of the first permanent settlements in America. • In early America the great majority of free adult males were land owners. 20
- 21. Why Use Land Records? • Place individuals in a particular place at a specific time. • Often list the spouse. • Often state other relationships. 21
- 22. Land Records – Patent vs. Deed • Patent indicates the first sale of a piece of property. • Once a patent is issued, the property becomes part of the “private” sector of land ownership and is subsequently sold by a deed. 22
- 23. State Land States vs. Federal Land States • State-Land States: –Land controlled initially by the individual state. • Federal Land States: –Lands initially controlled and dispersed by the United States government (public domain). 23
- 24. The State-Land States • Connecticut • Delaware • Georgia • Hawaii • Kentucky • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New York • North Carolina • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • Tennessee • Texas • Vermont • Virginia • West Virginia 24
- 25. State-Land States • Usually recorded in the deed books of each county or town • Look for: Grantee (buyer) index Grantor (seller) index 25
- 26. Federal Land States • Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Florida • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Louisiana • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Mexico • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • South Dakota • Utah • Washington • Wisconsin • Wyoming 26
- 27. Federal Land Records • Applicants completed a structured process. –Completed papers were sent to the General Land Office. • Case files can show: –Places of origin –Relationships –Naturalization information 27
- 28. Federal Land Records – Homestead Records • Began in 1862. • Required filing fee, residence, cultivation, and improvement of land. • Allotted to heads of households, widows, single persons of either sex over the age of 21. 28
- 29. Homestead Records • Genealogical value: –Contain proof of residence. –Can show previous residence, port of entry, place of origin. –Final documents show name, age, marital and citizenship status, postal address and settlement date. 29
- 30. Finding Homestead Records • Search at www.glorecords.blm.gov • To find the information needed to order land-entry case files from the Nat’l Archives www.archives.gov. 30
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- 34. Federal Land Records – Cash Entry System and Credit Sales • Land ordinance of 1785 opened lands for sale. –Case files often only contain a receipt. • Credit Sales –1800 -1820. –Gave owner 4 years to pay. 34
- 35. Military Bounty Land Grants • Given in lieu of monetary compensation for military service. • Citizenship not a requirement for military bounty land. 35
- 36. Finding Military Bounty Land Grants • All federal military bounty-land original records are housed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. • Bounty Land Warrants can also be found at glorecords.blm.gov. 36
- 37. Finding Military Bounty Land Grants • Books: Laramie County Library System (LCLS) has several indexes for the revolutionary war bounty land. • Also check Ancestry.com, Ancestry Library Edition , glorecords.blm.gov and Heritage Quest. 37
- 38. Individual or Private Lands • If located in federal-land state, will be described by township, range and section. • If located in a state-land state, will retain metes and bounds. • Registered in deed books at the county or town recorder’s office. 38
- 39. Private Land Records • Genealogical value: –Names of the buyer and seller –Dates –Description and acreage –County and state of residence 39
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- 41. Church Records • Kept before civil records. • Report births, marriages and deaths (baptisms, marriages and burials.). 41
- 42. Church Records • May be difficult to locate. – Difficulty determining your ancestors religious affiliation. Many church records have been published, microfilmed or are available on the Internet. • Check PERSI. PERSI is available on Heritage Quest at www.laramiecountylibrary.org. You’ll need your library card # and PIN # (Default is wyld). • Check the LDS Family History Library catalog and database at familysearch.org. 42
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- 44. Cemetery and Burial Records • Cemetery caretakers usually keep good records • Note names and dates of others in that plot. –See the Sexton’s records. • Older records may also be found in: –local libraries, archives, or historical societies. 44
- 45. More Cemetery Records • Look for cemetery listings on the Internet. • Funeral director’s records may be as good as official records. • But try to visit the cemetery in person if possible. If not possible try www.raogk.org. 45
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- 47. Cemetery Records on the Internet • Find A Grave at www.findagrave.com • Interment.net at www.interment.net • The USGenWeb www.usgenweb.org and WorldGenWeb www.worldgenweb.org • RootsWeb Cemetery search http://userdb.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ce meteries/. 47
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- 49. Newspapers • Most states have on-going newspaper digitization projects. This only covers pre- 1922 newspapers. • Look for newspapers from the geographical area where your ancestor lived. • Search WorldCat.org and try ILL (Interlibrary Loan). 49
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- 52. City Directories • After 1800 • Many are available on Ancestry Library Edition. Also check local libraries and Google Books. 52
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- 54. Military Records • In general the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (archives.gov) has military records from 1775 to ~1917. • The National Personal Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO has records from ~1917 to the present day. 54
- 55. More about Military Service Records • Colonial wars (1675-1763). • Revolutionary and Post Revolutionary (1774- 1848). –Most rosters and rolls have been published and are also available in genealogy libraries and/or on the Internet. 55
- 56. Revolutionary War Records • Revolutionary war records. •Available at the National Archives and regional branches. There is a NARA branch in Denver. •Check the Internet and computer databases like FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest. •Also see www.dar.org. 56
- 57. Revolutionary War Records cont. • Three types of records: –Pensions –Bounty-land warrant applications –Military service records 57
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- 59. Civil War Records • Some 2.8 million men served the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War 1861-65. The Civil War Pension Index is available at Ancestry.com, Ancestry Library Edition, and FamilySearch.org is one of the best places to start looking for Union soldiers. 59
- 60. Civil War – Confederate Records • The National Archives does not have pension files for Confederate soldiers. • Pensions were granted to Confederate veterans and their widows and minor children by the southern states. These records are in the state archives or equivalent agency. 60
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- 62. Military Service Records cont. • WWII to present (1938 to present). –Service records restricted to immediate family. • Right-to-privacy laws (75 years). –Housed at National Personnel Records Center St. Louis, MO. • Fire in 1973 destroyed millions of records. 62
- 63. World Wars I and II • World War I draft registration cards. –Required males between 18 and 45 to register. –Are available from the National Archives and the Family History Library and on Ancestry Library Edition. • Discharge records for World Wars I and II areon file at the local county courthouse. 63
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- 66. Types of Tax Records • Personal Property tax lists • Tithables • Poll Lists • Land Tax Lists • Rent Rolls • Tax records can be found in county courthouses, state archives, books, Internet databases, LDS Family History Library etc. 66
- 67. Why Use Tax Records? • To trace a family’s location. • Indicate the amount and type of property owned. • Estimate birth and death dates. • Some tax lists can be found on the Internet or on genealogy databases such as Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest. 67
- 68. Tax Records – Federal Tax • Federal direct tax to raise money for armies. –1798 French war direct tax on real property and slaves. –War of 1812 (1814-1816). –Civil War direct taxes. • Income taxes. • Property taxes. • License fees. 68
- 69. Tax Records – County Taxes • Poll tax lists. –Colonial and antebellum counties usually taxed free adult males (poll or head tax)) when the young man reached 18 or 21 and ceased when the man reached 50 or 60. • Search county poll tax lists and property tax lists. 69
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- 71. Immigration Records • From the earliest colonial period until approximately 1820, immigration records were kept by the colony or state where the port was located. • Customs passenger lists • From 1820 until approximately 1891 • Immigration passenger lists • From 1892 until ~1957 71
- 72. Immigration Records cont. • Federal immigration records are in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. –Copies of some of these records are also located in the regional branches of the National Archives. • We have books such as Filby’s Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1538-1940. • Also on Ancestry Library Edition or through other Internet databases. 72
- 73. Immigration Records on the Internet • Ellis Island –libertyellisfoundation.org/passenger • Castle Garden –www.castlegarden.org • Immigrant Ship Transcribers Guild –www.immigrantships.net 73
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- 77. Naturalization Records • Naturalization is the process by which an alien becomes an American citizen • From the first naturalization law passed by Congress in 1790 through much of the 20th century, an alien could become naturalized in any court of record. 77
- 78. Recent Naturalizations • In 1906 congress created the Immigration and Naturalization Service (now the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service). • www.uscis.gov/files/form/g-639.pdf 78
- 79. US Citizenship & Immigration Service • The USCIS has a Genealogy Program which is a fee for service program. • See www.uscis.gov/genealogy. 79
- 80. Naturalization Process cont. • Naturalization process took a minimum of 5 years. – After residing in the United States for 2 years, a person could file a "declaration of intent“ to become a citizen. – After 3 additional years, the person could "petition for naturalization." – After the petition was granted, a certificate of citizenship was issued. 80
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- 82. Additional Sources • Agriculture Society Records • Association Records • Biography Indexes • Employment Records • Insurance Records • Non-US Records • And more (use your imagination/creativity) 82
- 83. Other Good Genealogy Websites • Cyndi’s List www.cyndislist.com • FindAGrave www.findagrave.com • RootsWeb www.rootsweb.com • U.S. GenWeb www.usgenweb.com • Library of Congress www.loc.gov • WorldGenWeb www.worldgenweb.org 83
- 84. Upcoming Genealogy Classes: 84 We repeat the basic series (Genealogy Basics and Genealogy Beyond the Basics) in February, June and October every year. Handouts for the basic genealogy classes are also available on the Laramie County Library System website and in the Special Collections department.
- 85. Thanks for Attending! • Please consider: –checking out a genealogy how-to book (929) –Becoming a member of a genealogy society (CGHS meets 2nd Tuesday – Sept. to May). –researching in our Genealogy room. –accessing Heritage Quest from our website • www.laramiecountylibrary.org you’ll need a LCLS library card number and a PIN (default PIN is wyld). 85
Hinweis der Redaktion
- Introduce self, talk about the Genealogy room upstairs, turn off cell phones, we will be done about 8:30 PM. Note that I will be primarily talking about U.S. records but you will need to do all your U.S. research first to find the clues to make the “hop across the pond”.
- Begin With Yourself and Work Backwards in time. Original Records that we talked about last week are: Census Records Vital Records (birth, marriage, death) Social Security Death Index
- For Each Record Type We’ll Discuss Today: What they contain Where to find them
- Check books. Search the LCLS library catalog. Search other libraries through WorldCat. Check the LDS Family History Library at www.familysearch.org for records in books or microform. Check the Internet & genealogy Internet databases such as Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest. Many original documents are being scanned and are available at www.familysearch.org.
- Then you may have to go to the original source which will probably be in a county courthouse, state vital records division, state archives, etc. And pay $ to get a copy of the birth certificate, will, etc. Get familiar with the privacy vs. open access rules of the state. Remember the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) created a right to access for most genealogy information.
- This is the state of Virginia’s office of vital records. Every state has different rules for accessing vital records. They’ll tell you on the website what they have, what the rules are, how to order, etc.
- They will tell you what they have, how to access and what it costs on their website.
- There is an abundance of genealogical information on the Internet but not everything is or ever will be available. Verify what you find. How do you verify things? Does it make sense? Is there any supporting evidence? Contradictory evidence? Learn to do a good Internet search engine search: Try Google google.com. and/or Mocavo mocavo.com. Mocavo is genealogy specific.
- Probate definition—legal dispersal of the estate of someone who died.
- In the past in certain states Probate Court was called Surrogate or Orphan’s Court Final document is issued and recorded by the probate court and, if land is involved, with the local land records office.
- Most wills are registered and filed in the counties where they were probated. Look 30 to 90 days after the death of the property owner. Many have been published in books. Some are available on the Internet –try www.ancestrylibrary.com (available in the library only), ancestry.com or www.familysearch.org.
- Land records exist from the very beginning of the first permanent settlements in America. In early America the great majority of free adult males were land owners.
- Land records exist from the very beginning of the first permanent settlements in America. In early America the great majority of free adult males were land owners.
- State-Land States: Land controlled initially by the individual state. This includes the 13 original states, some of the southern states and Hawaii. Federal Land States: Lands initially controlled and dispersed by the United States government (public domain). These states are in the south, west and mid-west. These are the homesteading states.
- Following the Revolutionary War each state dispersed property within its own boundaries States granted land: To raise revenues. In lieu of financial rewards to soldiers. To both accommodate and encourage western migration.
- Southern states filed with county registrar of deeds Many New England states filed through the town clerk’s office Grantee is the buyer Grantor is the seller
- Public lands were first introduced in 1785. Given to citizens or intended citizens to: Pay the military (bounty) Generate revenue to help compensate for the depletions of the Revolutionary War Encourage settlement
- The structured process depended on the authority under which the got the land. I
- Began in 1862. Required filing fee, residence, cultivation, and improvement of land. Approximately 285 million acres given to citizens or intended citizens. Allotted to heads of households, widows, single persons of either sex over the age of 21.
- GLO= the General Land Office You must provide: Name of land office. Land description (township, range, and section). Final certificate number or patent number. Authority under which the land was acquired (homestead, bounty-land warrant, etc.). Fortunately this is exactly the information you’ll find at glorecords.
- Introduced in 1800. Gave owner 4 years to pay. Extensions were granted almost every year until 1820. Abolished in 1820. Similar to cash entry system.
- Given in lieu of monetary compensation for military service. Given to entice enlistments during military conflicts. Citizenship not a requirement for military bounty land. Military service was the requirement, so this is also proof of military service.
- Records were created by two different agencies: Pension bureau handled the application. General Land Office fulfilled the warrant. Bounty Land Warrants can also be found at glorecords.blm.gov.
- New England recorded through the town clerk.
- Names of the grantee and grantor. Bordering neighbors. Witnesses. Description and acreage. Dates (written and recorded). Dower release. Previous owner’s name. County and state of residence. Signatures.
- Kept before civil records. Like vital records. Report births, marriages and deaths (baptisms, marriages and burials.). Recorded removal to or arrival from another congregation (migration). Recorded confirmations, lists of communicants, and membership lists.
- May be difficult to locate. Difficulty determining your ancestors religious affiliation. Difficulty locating where that church’s records are now. WPA compiled “Inventories of church archives….” Excellent for churches and geographic areas they covered. Out of date now. Many church records have been published, microfilmed or are available on the Internet. Check PERSI (Periodical Source Index) is available on Heritage Quest at www.laramiecountylibrary.org. You’ll need your library card # and PIN # (Default is wyld). Check the LDS Family History Library catalog at familysearch.org.
- Cemetery caretakers usually keep records of the names and death dates of those buried, as well as maps of the grave sites. They may also keep more detailed records, including the names of the deceased's relatives. Try to go to the cemetery yourself. Note names and dates of others in that plot.
- Look for cemetery listings on the Internet. Usually no records for family cemeteries. Most other cemeteries maintain some records. Funeral director’s records may be as good as official records.
- Things you are looking for in Newspapers: Obituaries. Marriage and engagement. Birth announcements. Probate court proceedings (legal notices). Notes of thanks following a death. News items. Explain ILL.
- After 1800. So not telephone books, they exist before telephones, more a criss-cross directory. Also good for home research (house histories). Aid in locating ancestor in place and time. Aid to finding ancestor in censuses (exact address). Later city directories list: People in household. Occupation. Show when children leave the household. Show year of death. Many are available on Ancestry Library Edition. Also check local libraries and Google Books.
- In general the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (archives.gov) in Washington D.C. has records for those serving in the United States military from 1775 to ~1917. The National Personal Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO has records from ~1917 to the present day.
- Most of this information is more historical than genealogical.
- Revolutionary war records. Contain more genealogical data than colonial records. Microfilmed and indexed. Some are online. Available at the National Archives and regional branches. There is a NARA branch in Denver. And at the LDS Family History Library. Also check the Internet and computer databases like Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest. Three types of records. Pensions. Bounty-land warrant applications. Military service records.
- Immediate family – the veteran themselves or parents, spouses, siblings and children. But even if the records you are interested in were in the fire, don’t despair there MAY still be records available. The DOD and NARA has tried to replace these records with records from other sources such as the VA, military bases etc.
- Some have been microfilmed by the Family History Library (in Salt Lake City) and can be borrowed.
- Antebellum means the South before the Civil War.
- The immigration records that exist for this time can be found in either the port city or in the archives for that state, usually located in the state’s capital. Each of these lists provides valuable information about our immigrant ancestors
- Most people went to the court most convenient to them, usually a county court. A few State supreme courts also naturalized aliens, such as the supreme courts of Indiana, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, New Jersey, and South Dakota. Aliens who lived in large cities sometimes became naturalized in a Federal court, such as a U.S. district court or U.S. circuit court. Before 1906, there was often very little data in these records. Now these are usually administered in district courts but naturalization ceremonies (taking the oath of allegiance) can happen anywhere.
- For naturalizations that took place after 27 September 1906, download Form G-639 at: www.uscis.gov/files/form/g-639.pdf All 1906 and newer naturalization information will be found here.
- The USCIS has a Genealogy Program which is a fee for service program providing family historians and others access to historical immigration and naturalization records. Fees are between $20 and $35 depending on the service requested. See www.uscis.gov/genealogy.
- The declaration of intent is also called the first papers. So you may find any of these three items. Only the last step indicates that they actually became a citizen.