Beginning to Research Your Family's History: Part 2Note: All references to call numbers are for libraries at the University of Minnesota--Twin Cities. Additional information on sources available at the University of Minnesota Libraries can be found at the web site: http://wilson.lib.umn.edu/reference/genealogy.html. Sources of Interest to GenealogistsNewspapersLocal newspapers can be used for copies of birth and marriage announcements and obituaries. Often you will find family members in the society pages or gossip columns of newspapers, especially small-town newspapers. These are fun to read and will add interest to your family's history. Microfilmed copies of local newspapers can often be found at the county library or archives, or they may be available through interlibrary loan from the state historical society. The Minnesota History Center has the largest collection of Minnesota local newspapers in the state. If you are looking for a newspaper for a particular community, your local library should have a newspaper directory which will list the newspapers by community. It should also include the dates the newspaper was published. There are many different directories, so use the catalog in your local library and look up the subject: american newspapers--directories or community newspapers--united states--directories. Larger newspapers may be indexed. These indexes can be found in research libraries, larger historical societies, and public libraries. If an index exists for your local newspaper, it should be held in your local public library. To locate indexes found in the Wilson Library General Reference, consult American Newspaper Indexes: Printed and Computerized; for Minnesota newspapers, see Minnesota News Indexes. City DirectoriesBeginning in the middle of the 19th century, city directories were published for many cities. City directories are listings of individuals and businesses located in a city. They were usually published annually and are useful for locating individuals in the years between federal or state censuses. City directories are often found at a local level. Some larger cities are now available on microfilm. Check your local public library or historical society to determine what is available in your area. In the Twin Cities area, many city directories from Minnesota are available at the Minnesota History Center. The main branch libraries of both Minneapolis and St. Paul should have almost complete sets of their respective city directories. Use the following subject terms to search for city directories of Minneapolis and St. Paul: saint paul (minn.)--directories For smaller municipalities and suburbs, use the format [city name] (minn.)--directories to determine whether a directory is held in the University's collection Cemetery and Funeral Home RecordsCemeteries can be an excellent source of genealogical information. If no vital records exist, a gravestone may be the only proof you have for an ancestor. Also, by locating the grave of one relative, you may also find the graves of other family members. There are several types of cemeteries: church, public, family, state, and national. Determine where your ancestors are buried from a death certificate, obituary, index or family story. However, you may have to visit several cemeteries in an area to find the one you're looking for. Some gravestones have been lost due to neglect or relocation. If you are able to locate a gravestone, make a permanent record of it by taking a photograph. Be careful not to damage stones by using chemicals (including shaving cream) to enhance readability of the stones. Some public, state, and national cemeteries will have lists of those buried. Also check the local cemetery office for information. Information from cemeteries can help with birth dates and often with information on other family members buried in the family plot. If you are lucky, the cemetery may have been transcribed by a local historical or genealogical society. Check with the local library or society to determine if such a transcription exists. the Minnesota Genealogical Society has a collection of cemetery transcriptions. If you do not know the cemetery, you may have to contact funeral homes in the area. Your local public library should have a copy of the American Blue Book of Funeral Directors (New York: National Funeral Directors Association). This book contains the names of cemeteries and funeral homes by location. Contact these cemeteries and ask them to check their records for the individual you are trying to find. Also, ask the cemetery if there are other family members in the same plot or other plots. Some cemeteries receive donations for the upkeep of a grave. Ask who is paying for this upkeep. If there is no office, you may have to go to the cemetery. Funeral home records generally contain the same information as death certificates, buy may also include additional family information. Use the American Blue Book to find the address of the funeral home (check the death certificate for the name of the funeral home). Probate Records and WillsBecause they often list many family members, probate records including wills, inventories and letters of administration are useful. These records are available at the county court house usually in the county of the deceased's residence. In some cases county records have been microfilmed and are available at the state archives or through the LDS library. When writing for probate records and wills, be sure to ask for the complete file, not just the will. Church RecordsFor many areas or time periods church records are one of the best sources for genealogical information. Church records are generally accurate because the recording priest or minister was usually present at the time of the event and for many areas they are the only available substitute for official records. Several types of church records are of value to genealogists. The most fundamental are baptismal, marriage, and burial records. Determine Religious Affiliation. In order to use church data you must know each ancestor's religion. Clues can come from current affiliation, cemetery locations, wedding or funeral notices or wills. If church affiliation is not known, it may be possible to determine it by studying the history of the area in which your ancestors lived and their ethnic background. Locate Church. The next step is to discover the actual church or parish your ancestor attended. Check in the community in which they lived. Contact the library, historical society or genealogical society for the address of the oldest church of the suspected denomination. Two books which may be of help are:
The National Directory of Churches, Synagogues, and Other Houses of Worship (Detroit: Gale Research, 1994) lists churches geographically and by denomination. The Minnesota Historical Society's Manuscripts Collection contains records of many individual churches and religious groups. However, the majority of these type of records remain in the individual churches, a diocesan archive or denomination headquarters, often outside the state. Church of the Latter Day Saints RecordsPerhaps the largest collection of records of genealogical value in the world has been collected by the Mormon Church. Often referred to as the LDS (Latter Day Saints) this church collects and maintains genealogical records as a part of their religion. Records are maintained for their members and their members' ancestors. In addition, they have made it their mission to microfilm and index primary and secondary sources from all over the United States and the world. Consequently, the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, has the best collection of genealogical materials in the world. Through the Family History Centers or branch libraries which are scattered throughout the United States, much of the material available in the Salt Lake City library can be ordered on microfilm. There is a charge for requesting microfilm, but the records are available to both members and non-members. The LDS also produces the International Genealogical Index or the IGI. Volunteers transcribe vital records obtained from all over the world. The information is arranged by geographic area and a number for each area indicates the original source. The IGI and Ancestry Files are available in the local LDS Family History Libraries; however, the microfilm rolls containing the original sources must be requested from the Salt Lake City Library, which may take several weeks. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when using the IGI:
Military RecordsSee also Locating Military Records for sources found at the University of Minnesota Libraries. Military service records may be a valuable source of information for the genealogist. They are generally found at two levels of authority, state and national. Military service records will be on deposit at either the state archives or the National Archives. For help in locating military records consult James C. Neagles' U.S. Military Records: a Guide to Federal and State Sources, Colonial America to the Present (Salt Lake City, UT: Ancestry, 1994) [Wilson Reference quarto E181 .N43x 1994]. For veterans of earlier wars, Civil War and before, start at the state level. This is also true for Confederate records for the Civil War. In addition, many states have published indexes or lists of veterans. Check any available indexes for the localities in which you are searching. For addresses for state archives check the American Association of State and Local History, Directory of Historical Agencies in North America (Nashville, TN: AASLH, 1986) [Wilson E172 .A538]. You may also want to consult James C. Neagles' Confederate Research Sources: a guide to archive collections (Salt Lake City, UT: Ancestry Pub., 1986) [Wilson Reference E487 .N4x 1986]. The Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1983) [Wilson Reference quarto CS68 .U54x 1983] will introduce you to military records and their indexes at the national level. The National Archives will search the register of enlistments or the compiled military service records of an individual soldier if you submit a request on the proper GSA form. To obtain the service records, you must know when and in which military branch the veteran served and whether he/she was an officer or enlisted personnel. While evidence of military service may be of interest, the pension application by the veteran or his widow will provide more information of genealogical value to the researcher, including the veteran or beneficiary's age and residence at date of application, the names of his or her spouse and children, and the dates of marriage and death. Pension records may also include information about the veteran's military service--the name of his or her unit and dates of service. The National Archives and Records Administration has microfilmed many military and service records, primarily those created before 1900. Military Service Records: A Select Catalog of National Archives Microfilm Publications (Washington, DC : National Archives Trust Fund Board, National Archives and Service Administration, 1985) [Wilson Reference quarto CD3033 1985] is a catalog describing the records available on microfilm to users. Records relating to the following groups of military personnel are at the National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132. They accept requests for information, using Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records. They do not take requests over the telephone.
A fire at the center in 1972 destroyed many of the personnel records of officers and enlisted men in the Army and Air Force. There also may be privacy considerations which will determine who can obtain copies of personnel records making recent records (less than approximately 70 years) unavailable to researchers who are not direct descendants. To determine if an individual has ever received veterans benefits, an indication of military service, contact the Veterans Administration Benefits Section at 1-800-827-1000. For information concerning veterans interred in one of the national cemeteries, contact the Director of Public Affairs, National Cemetery System, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20451. BiographyThere are many published indexes to works of biographical interest. It never hurts to check these indexes for individuals your are researching. These indexes are alphabetical lists and will provide the sources of biographies. You should also check obituary indexes. Several large newspapers have indexes dedicated to obituaries. Two excellent biography indexes are
Sources of obituaries can be found in Obituaries: A Guide to Sources by Betty Jarboe (Boston, Ma.: G.K. Hall, 1989) [Wilson Reference quarto CT214 .J3x 1989]. Maps, Atlases and Plat BooksMaps, atlases, and plat books help researchers locate towns and villages, view geographic features, and locate land holdings of ancestors. The best places to begin looking for maps are local libraries, courthouses, and historical and genealogical societies. In the Twin City area, the best sources of maps are the Minnesota History Center (St. Paul) and the John R. Borchert Map Library (University of Minnesota, Wilson Library). Look in your local library's catalog under names, geographical--united states or united states--gazetteers for books that will give you information on place names. One of the first books you should purchase is a good atlas. It will help you determine the counties you should contact in order to request vital records. However, remember that county lines change and you may have to use a historical atlas, generally available in you local library. A family may have lived in the same location for several generation, but the place name may have changed over time. Many counties have been subdivided several times, but vital records were most often kept where they were originally files. Copies of records are rarely acquired by a succeeding county. County and Local HistoriesCounty histories are an excellent source of information about an area's history and settlement. In addition, county histories usually include history of the local government, institutions, churches, military involvement, and education. County histories often contain biographical information on early settlers and prominent citizens. Many were published in the late 19th century and have been reprinted. Others have been published more recently by county historical and genealogical societies. Often county and local histories will have articles on individuals of the community. These are rarely well-researched histories. Do not take them at face value, but rather use them as a stepping stone to your research. Books you may find useful include:
Continuing Your Research - Immigrant AncestorsOnce you have been successful in tracing your family back several generations you will have reached those ancestors who were not born in the United States, but came here as immigrants. Immigrant ancestors link us to another country and culture. Perhaps one of the most interesting questions in genealogy is who were these ancestors who first came to America, when and where were they born, where did they live in the old world and why did they come to America? How to Begin Searching for your immigrant ancestor will be a new phase of genealogical research. Some places to begin are:
Naturalization RecordsIf you do not know your immigrant ancestor's country of origin, you may find clues using naturalization records. The naturalization process produced at least two sets of records: Declaration of Intention (first papers) and Final Papers, which conferred citizenship. Finding naturalization records often is a long, and sometimes fruitless, process. Papers generally were filed in the county; however, naturalization was also conferred in federal court jurisdictions. Women received their citizenship through their husbands' or fathers' application. In 1922, federal law allowed a wife to obtain citizenship independent of her husband. Also, one of the privileges of citizenship was the right to vote. Until women were granted the vote, there was little reason for them to obtain citizenship. In Minnesota, the Minnesota Historical Society has a large collection of Minnesota naturalization records. Passenger Ship ListsSee A Selective List of Sources for Ship Passenger Lists for sources found in the University Libraries. Published passenger ship compilations are generally derived from several sources and contain information on early immigrants. The lists themselves, dating from around 1820, are available from the National Archives Microfilm Publication Program. Early records relating to immigration originated in regional customhouses. In 1819 the captain or master of a vessel arriving at a port in the United States or its territories was required to submit a list of passengers to the collector of customs. These records have been transferred to microfilm and are available at the National Archives. See Immigrant and Passenger Arrivals: A Select Catalog of National Archives Microfilm Publications for an explanation of the program and a list of the microfilm available. Since passenger ship lists are arranged by the port of arrival and date and since many have not been indexed, their use is sometimes limited; however, indexes are gradually becoming available to help in this search. Look in the library's catalog under: ships--passenger lists or ships--united states--passenger lists (you may substitute the relevant country in place of united states). Several of these are available in the University of Minnesota's collection including:
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