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RECORD SELECTION TABLE: UNITED STATES
| RECORD SELECTION TABLE: UNITED STATES |
This table can help you decide which
records to search. It is most helpful for post-1800 research.
1. In column 1 find the goal you selected.
2. In column 2 find the types of records most likely to have the
information you need.
3. In column 3 find additional record types that may be useful.
4. Then look for the record type you need in the Locality Search of the
Family History Library Catalog.
*Note: Records of previous research (Genealogy, Biography, History,
Periodicals, and Societies) are useful for most goals, but are not
listed unless they are especially helpful.
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| 1. If You Need |
2. Look First In |
3. Then Search |
| Age |
Census, Vital Records, Cemeteries |
Military Records, Taxation |
| Birth date |
Vital Records, Church Records, Bible Records |
Cemeteries, Obituaries, Census |
| Birthplace |
Vital Records, Church Records, Census |
Newspapers, Obituaries |
| City or parish of foreign birth |
Church Records, Genealogy, Biography,
Naturalization and Citizenship, Societies |
Vital Records, Obituaries, History,
Emigration and Immigration |
| Country of foreign birth |
Emigration and Immigration, Census,
Naturalization and Citizenship, Church Records |
Military Records, Vital Records,
Newspapers, Obituaries |
| County origins and boundaries |
History, Maps, Historical Geography |
Gazetteers |
| Death |
Vital Records, Cemeteries, Probate Records,
Church Records, Obituaries, Societies |
Newspapers, Bible Records, Military
Records, Town Records |
| Ethnicity |
Minorities, Native Races, Societies |
Church Records, Emigration and Immigration,
Naturalization and Citizenship, Periodicals |
| Historical background |
History, Periodicals |
Minorities |
| Immigration date |
Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization
and Citizenship, Genealogy, Societies |
Census, Newspapers, Biography |
| Living relatives (and adoptions) |
Genealogy, Directories, Court Records,
Obituaries, Internet |
Census, Biography, Societies, Church
Records, Probate Records |
| Maiden name |
Vital Records, Church Records, Newspapers,
Bible Records |
Cemeteries, Military Records, Probate
Records, Obituaries |
| Marriage |
Vital Records, Church Records, Census,
Newspapers, Bible Records, Town Records |
Cemeteries, Military Records, Probate
Records, Naturalization and Citizenship, Land and Property |
| Occupation |
Census, Directories, Emigration and
Immigration |
Newspapers, Court Records, Biography |
| Parents, children, and other family members |
Vital Records, Church Records, Census,
Phone Disc, Probate Records, Obituaries, Genealogy |
Bible Records, Newspapers, Emigration and
Immigration |
| Physical description |
Military Records, Biography |
Naturalization and Citizenship, Vital
Records, Emigration and Immigration, Genealogy |
| Place-finding aids |
Gazetteers, Maps, Historical Geography |
History, Periodicals |
| Place (town) of residence when you know
only the state |
Census (indexed), Genealogy, Military
Records, Vital Records, and other records with a statewide index,
Soundex |
Biography, Probate Records, History,
Directories, Societies, Taxation |
| Places family has lived |
Census, Land and Property, History,
Directories |
Military Records, Taxation, Obituaries |
| Previous research (compiled genealogy) |
Genealogy, Periodicals, Societies |
History, Biography |
| Record-finding aids |
Archives and Libraries, Societies |
Periodicals |
| Religion |
Church Records, History, Biography |
Bible Records, Cemeteries, Genealogy |
| Social activities |
History, Biography Newspapers, Societies |
Town Records, Court, Records, Cemeteries,
Directories, Obituaries |
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