Using Records as Research Tools
Please understand that is for off line research.
To be able to do genealogical research with any success at all; you first have to know what is available to you in any given locale. Records are broken down into three main categories. These are all considered tools to use and could help you solve a problem quickly, provided you have the knowledge and ability to use them correctly.
Locality data, secondary resources and primary resources.
Locality data as a reference tool, is found in Atlases, maps, Gazetteers, Postal Directories, City Directories, ans local histories.
You must know more about the locale in which you are searching than just who kept the records and where they are housed. The history and geography of the area must be considered. If your ancestor lived in Poughkeespie, Louisiana , or Hog Eye, Arkansas, what is the next step to learn more about him. This sounds like a vey simple question. The answer is what? To find out exactly where this town is located... How to do this-- by the use of a Gazetter, a postal diectory or a map. Then, the next step is to verify the county within the state. Why do we want to know the county? Because, nearly all records are kept on a county level.
Next step, when was the county formed? Does it have the original records- was it an original county or taken from another county? how do you find out this information?
There are many "Guides To" available, but the one frequently used is called the "Handybook for Genealogists". This is the oldest one that I am aware of; first published in 1947. This book is upgraded every so many years with more information. [Newest is the Ninth Edition] It lists every county, in every state, the parent county, the records available at the county courthouse, the name of the county seat and address of the courthouse.. the state page will list the name of the state capital- date state was formed- a little history of the state, and other information that can be obtained at the state level. Archives, Libraries and Societies, available census, atlases, gazetters and maps, and a few other things.
Secondary sources are usually compiled or published. Printed county histories, family genealogies or histories, cemetery records compiled and recorded, census indices and records, taken from originals.
This would include county histories with biographies which were mostly published in the late 1800's. These publications frequently had a paid subscription to publish 'your" biography and many were embelished by the composer of the bio., whether it was a person paid by the publisher or the person themselves. Some large publishers sent people out to collect these bios and then added them to a state history. The better the bios sounded, the more apt the company was to sell more books. Even though there is a lot use of the words, "respected, prominent, patriotic, and loving spouse', these histories also may contain information concerning the nativity of person, parents, where they lived in county, [townships or communities] siblings, children, wife's maiden name and her parents, dates they came to county, or forebearers came to county. All of which are clues for further research.
Printed family genealogies or histories, cemetery records compiled and recorded, census indices and records, taken from originals. As a good careful researcher, and genealogist, family histories are clues for further research. A good published family history will/should include a bibliography of preimary records and secondary records. [Frequently, this doesn't not happen]. If so, this will make things easier for you. Use the places and dates to search for evidence to support the claims.
Secondary sources can be a sortcut to primary records.
Primary records are to be considered the most accurate; they are records that contain dates at the time of, or close to the time of a specific event.
1. Original records of various events, and are found in many different locations. State or federal census, [the original] is considered a primary record.
2. Court house records of deeds, probate and/or wills, birth or death records, any court proceedings, civil or criminal, including law suits, which are a good source of names relating to the plaintiff or defendant, or both. Sometimes, the depositions are relatives or friends of both the plaintiff and defendant. Also, naturalization records, and sometimes, some military records are found on the county level.
3. Church records are a good source of various happenings; baptisms, marriages, deaths; depending on the denimation of the church and their history.
4. Ship passenger lists are also considered a primary source, provided they have been transcribed properly or the actual images are available.
Where to find these records: First stop is local libraries. Many local libraries have been aware for years that the need for good genealogical and historical collections has increased over the years and they have increased their holdings as much as possible. Some local libraries simply do not have the room or inclination for this type of thing. Check to see what you can get on interlibrary loan if your local library does not maintain a genealogy and history section.
After the local library search, including the surrounding counties, the next step is the state libraries and historical societies. Nearly every state library has special collections dealing with genealogy and history. Some states, like Missouri, will have an excellent state historical society, maintained by state funding. Therefore, the bulk of the materials would be there and not at the state library. Many local and state libraries have finding aids, like census mircrofilm, printed indices to census, county histories, marriage records from counties, cemetery records. Most state libraries or state historical societies have a printed list of what is available.
Don't leave a courthouse, library, historical society without wrting down the complete citation of records found, and a list of what books you didn't find any information; this will save you lots of time in the future. You may want to go back and check for other names in these same places.
If you are fortunate enough to go on a genealogy trip and can go to Washington, D. C., these will be of help.
National libraries or nationally known libraries:
The Library of Congress in Washington, D. C. Write to them or look online for their Guide to Genealogical Research.
Daughters of the American Revolution maintains an extensive genealogical library also in Washington, D.C. There is a fee for daily research.
The National Genealogical Society has its
own library and maintains a library loan service and research
service for members. The library collection includes published
and unpublished works pertaining to genealogy, local history and
heraldry. It is open to nonmembers for a small fee.
The Allen County Library at Fort Wayne, Indiana, nationally known for it's genealogical holdings.