Step-by-Step Georgia Research, 1880-Present

Georgia Step-by-step research 1880--present

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Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.

What should be asked?
In order to extend research, ask for names, dates, and places. Everything about who a relative was and when and where they lived is a clue to a new record search. For ideas, see :
 * Fifty Questions for Family History Interviews What to Ask the Relatives
 * Genealogy: 150 questions to ask family members about their lives
 * Creating Oral Histories

What documents should be collected or copied?
Because these records cover names, dates, places, and relationships, they are a valuable source of clues. Look for them in your home, your parents' home, and ask living grandparents to check for them.

Step 2. Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.
A census is a count and description of the population of a country, state, county, or city for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day. For each person living in a household you might find (depending on the year) their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military.

Using the clues to lead to census record searches.
This marriage certificate, found in old home papers, gives us clues as to where and when to start looking for the Paris and Kennedy families in census records. Grady Vaughn Paris and Doris Lynette Kennedy were married in 1943. The most recent available census is for 1940. So we will start by looking for each of them in 1940 and 1930 in Georgia, hopefully still living in their parents' homes.

'''Here are the 1940 and 1930 census records for Grady V. Paris. We now know that he was born in about 1918 in Georgia and that his mother was "Queenie" and his step-father was Thomas Medlock. Hopefully, in 1920 we can find him in the home of Queenie and her first husband.''' '''Here is the 1930 census records for Doris Kennedy. She is the daughter of Ollie Mae Bethel, and was born in 1923 in Georgia. Her mother appears to have remarried also, to a Fred Bethel. In 1930, Fred and Ollie Mae are living in her parents' home, so Doris is listed as a granddaughter. of M.M. and Naomi Ryals.''' '''For now, we will just focus on the Kennedy line. Here in 1920, we find that Ollie May Ryals first husband was Henry Kennedy. He was born in 1895 in Georgia, and she was born in 1903.''' '''Here in the 1910 census, we find Henry living in the home of his widowed mother, Eugenia. We find Ollie living with her parents, Millard M. Ryals. W''' '''Here are the two families in 1900. Eugenia Kennedy is already widowed by 1900, so we have yet to learn the name of Henry G. Kennedy's father.'''



Look for ancestors in as many censuses as possible. Use the clues from each census for hints where to find families in both earlier and later census records.
- For more information, see Georgia Census and United States Census.

Step 3: Find birth, marriage, and death certificates for ancestors and their children.
States, counties, or even towns in some states recorded births, marriages, and deaths. In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations. A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.

Using the census clues to lead to a birth certificate.
Now, we want to try to find important birth records for the various people represented in these census records. Although we could not find birth records for this particular family, here is an example of a Georgia birth index search.

Using the census clues to lead to a marriage certificate.
One main purpose for locating records for is to establish the identity of the wives--their maiden names. In some cases, particularly more recent records, the names of the parents of the bride and groom are given. Notice that by ordering a full birth certificate, many more details are available, particularly about the parents of the bride and groom.

Using the census clues to lead to a death certificate.
By studying the census records, and assuming that most people lived to be 65-70 years old, you can decide the time frame where you would expect to see a death certificate. '''It is very important to send for death certificates. Even though you might feel that knowing a death date is not high priority, the death certificate is important because of all the secondary data: birth date and place of the deceased, maiden name of the wife, names of the deceased's parents, birth places of the deceased's parents.

Some of the examples shown above are index entries. That means for each of them an actual, original, full certificate exists. It is highly advisable to order the original certificate. It will contain many details not given in the index. In some cases, the image of the original is found online. Instructions are given below on obtaining the original certificate in other cases.

How to Find the Records
There are basically three ways to find these indexes or full original certificates:
 * online databases
 * writing to a county courthouse (prior to state civil registration beginning in 1867)
 * purchasing them through the mail

Online databases, usually indexes, with some images

 * This chart gives links to some Georgia online databases for these records:

Records at the County Courthouse.
These records were originally created by county clerks, and then copies were sent to the state. County clerks can be willing to help find all the birth records for one family or perform other searches that the state would not do. To contact county clerks by e-mail or telephone, go to the Wiki article for each county. Links to the county Wiki articles are found at the end of this page or by clicking here: Georgia Counties.

Order Certificates from Georgia Vital Records Department.
Almost always the full original certificate will contain information not contained in the index. Although it costs money, consider sending for the full original certificates, particularly for direct line ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc).


 * Where to Write for Georgia Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records

For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in Georgia, see How to Find Georgia Birth Records, How to Find Georgia Marriage Records, and How to Find Georgia Death Records.

U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

 * The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962.
 * The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits.
 * You can search these records online at
 * Also at Ancestry.com, ($), index.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.


 * If you find your ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.

Obituaries

 * Try this Georgia link:
 * — index and images

Cemeteries

 * Try these Georgia links:
 * Cemetery Records at Findagrave.com
 * Georgia Cemetery Records
 * BillionGraves Cemetery Records
 * North-Central Georgia Cemeteries, ($)
 * Tennessee Valley Cemetery Relocation Files, 1933-1990, ($), image/index
 * Tennessee Valley Cemetery Relocation Files, 1933-1990, ($), image/index

'''Notice the rich amount of detail in these FindAGrave records for the Kennedy family. Each name in blue lettering is also a link to another FindAGrave record specific to that person.'''









World War II Draft Registration
Likewise, the World War II draft in 1942 may give birth date, birth place, residence, occupation, employer, and other family members as contacts. Search for your male relatives born in this time period at
 * , index and images.

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Step 6: Look for church records.
Church records function as vital records. Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
 * An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
 * Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
 * Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.



FamilySearch

 * 1754-1960, index, incomplete — How to Use this Collection
 * 1828-1991, index, incomplete — How to Use this Collection
 * 1808-1967, index, incomplete — How to Use this Collection

Ancestry.com

 * Georgia, Select Births and Christenings, 1754-1960, index, incomplete ($)

Dutch Reformed

 * 1856-1970 U.S., Selected States Dutch Reformed Church Membership Records, 1701-1995 at Ancestry; index and images, incomplete.($)
 * 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Vital Records, 1856-1970 at Ancestry; index and images, incomplete.($)

Presbyterian

 * 1701-1970 U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970 at Ancestry; index and images, incomplete.($)

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 * For help with church records kept in Georgia, see Georgia Church Records.
 * To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.

Step 7: Search for online wills and probate packets.

 * County probate records include '''probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration.
 * In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet.
 * Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.



Search these indexes and images for probate records.

 * United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search: Georgia
 * Georgia, Wills and Probate Records, 1742-1992, ($), index and images, incomplete.
 * Images.
 * Georgia's Virtual Vault Colonial Will Books Index and images.
 * Georgia's Virtual Vault Colonial Wills Index and images.

Probate Information in County Wiki Articles
Each Georgia county Research Wiki page lists additional probate sources, including where to write for records: Georgia Counties

For more information, see Georgia Probate Records and United States Probate Records.

Step 8: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.
The census records may show that your ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records are the next goal. Immigration refers to people coming into a country, such as the United States, and emigration refers to people leaving a country to go to another. Usually these records are passenger lists of the ships they sailed on. A typical record will show name, age, and country of origin, but in ship lists after 1906 you can find the actual town of birth, the next of kin still living in the old country and their residence, and the names of relatives in the place they are traveling to.

Immigration records
Passenger lists and border crossing lists are the most common immigration records. There are many immigration records available. Click here to see a complete list of available immigration records online. Notice that they are listed by state, but under the letter "U" there is a long list of records that cover all of the United States. Unless family information tells you the port where family arrived, you will need to search all of the United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records for the time period when your ancestors arrived.

There are also immigration records unique to Georgia:
 * Georgia, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1904-1962, ($), index.

Naturalization (Citizenship) Records
Naturalization is the process of becoming a citizen. Records can include the immigrant's declaration of intent to become a citizen, petitions for citizenship, and final certificate of naturalization. Naturalization records after 1906 can show birth date and place, spouse's name, marriage date and place, and lists of children with their birth dates.

Georgia naturalization records could be recorded at the county court or the Federal District or Circuit Court. You must look for them in both locations. Try searching first in any county where the person lived, unless the census tells you the year they were naturalized, and you have evidence of where they lived that year. If you cannot locate them in the county records, try searching for them in the Federal courts.

Georgia Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records

 * Georgia, Naturalization Records, 1793-1991 ($)
 * Savannah, Georgia, Naturalization Records, 1790-1910 ($)
 * Selected U.S. Naturalization Records - District Courts in the Southeast, 1790-1958 – covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee ($)

Local Histories

 * Published histories of towns, counties, and states sometimes contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
 * Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories: Georgia; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
 * Google Books. Use keywords "Georgia" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
 * Family History Books
 * Internet Archive.Use keywords "Georgia" and the county name.
 * Ancestry.com, ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use Georgia and the name of the county.

FamilySearch Collected Local Histories

 * Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies.
 * If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find local histories by:
 * Go to the FamilySearch Catalog.
 * In the "Place" field, type the name of your county and click "Search".
 * A list of subheadings for the county will appear. Local histories containing genealogies and biographies will be found under Biography, Genealogy, History, or History - Indexes.

Biography Collections
These collections of biographies can be searched online. Most have a table of contents and an index. Or use the "Find" function on a computer.
 * Men of mark in Georgia, Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6
 * Biographical souvenir of the states of Georgia and Florida, e-book
 * County &amp; Town Histories of Georgia, with biographies
 * Historical collections of Georgia : containing...biographical sketches, e-book

Step 10: Contact a county historical or genealogical society.
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 * County historical societies have collections that are frequently little known and often overlooked.
 * Many have a surname file, where they have collected genealogies, newspaper clippings, old photographs, etc.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the county. :*Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia than you.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the county. :*Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia than you.


 * If you can find the society on the internet, they may list their holdings. Or call them on the phone, find out what they have, and find out what arrangements can be made to search their collection. Frequently, you can hire one of their members to search the collection for you.

This online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Here is an example of an internet website for a local genealogical society. It shows their main page, and their page explaining how research requests are handled.

Historical Images
Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
 * Georgia, United States Historical Images, New Version
 * Georgia, United States Historical Images, Old Version

Georgia Online Genealogy Records
Search any other online records listed in Georgia Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the Georgia Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
 * Georgia Online Genealogy Records

Step 12: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in Georgia.
This article focused more on Georgia state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in Georgia. This can help you with other records kept on a county level.