Step-by-Step Vermont Research, 1850-1910

Vermont Step-by-Step Research, 1850--1910 Step-by-Step Research, 1880-present Step-by-Step Research, 1850--1910

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 are the best questions to ask?
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 :
 * 50 Questions to Ask Relatives About Family History


 * 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.
Example of a census record.
 * A census is a count and description of the population for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day.
 * For each person living in a household (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 can be listed.
 * Searching for a family in census records every ten years can identify all the children in a family.
 * Searching in earlier census records to find someone as a child can identify parents.





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 Vermont Census and United States Census.

Step 3: Try to find additional details in death certificates, Social Security, obituary and cemetery records online.
When a person dies, several records will be created: death certificates, Social Security records, obituaries, and cemetery records.
 * Death certificates can give birth information for people born before actual birth registration began. Death certificates frequently give the birth date and place, parents' names, and birth places of parents.


 * The Social Security Death Index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits. The index entries give the person's full birth date, last known residence, and residence at the time they first enrolled.


 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index provides information filed in the application or claims process, including valuable details such as birth date, birth place, and parents’ names.


 * Cemetery records can be as simple as the information on the headstone or, in some FindAGrave records, they can report more thorough information about birth, parents, spouses, children, and siblings.

Example of a death index entry.



Death Indexes

 * Index.
 * Vermont Death Records, 1909-2008 ($)
 * Vermont Death Index, 1981-2001 ($)
 * 1700-2008 Vermont: Births, Marriages and Deaths, 1700-2008 at American Ancestors - index & images ($)
 * 1720-1908 Vermont, Vital Records, 1720-1908 ($)
 * 1732-2005  at FamilySearch - Images only. - How to Use this Collection
 * 1760-1954  at FamilySearch - Index and Images. - How to Use this Collection
 * 1760-2008  at FamilySearch - index/images - How to Use this Collection
 * 1850-2005  at FamilySearch - Images only. - How to Use this Collection

Writing for Full Death Certificates
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 Vermont Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records

U.S. Social Security Records

 * 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 an 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

 * Archives.com Obituaries for Vermont ($)
 * Newspaper Obituary collection for Vermont: starts about 2003 to present ($)
 * Ancestry.com United States Obituary Collection for Vermont ($)
 * Vermont Obituary search
 * GenealogyBuff Vermont
 * ObitsArchive.com - Vermont ($)
 * ObituariesHelp.org - Vermont Newspaper Obituaries Listings
 * The Obituary Link Page - Vermont Obituary Links
 * — index and images
 * Search for obituaries in ProQuest Newspapers.com Library ($)

Cemeteries

 * Vermont Find A Grave Index, 1751-2012 ($), index
 * BillionGraves Name Search.
 * Interment
 * New Horizons Genealogy
 * USGenWeb Tombstone Transcription Project (Vermont)
 * Vermont Cemetery Records (at LDS Genealogy)
 * Vermont Old Cemetery Association
 * Linkpendium
 * I Dream of Genealogy Vermont Cemeteries
 * I Dream of Genealogy Vermont Cemeteries

For more information, see Vermont Obituaries and Vermont Cemeteries.

Step 4: Search for birth and marriage records online.
Vital records were first kept in Vermont from the earliest permanent settlement, about 1760.

Online Records
Births Marriages
 * 1700-2008 Vermont: Births, Marriages and Deaths, 1700-2008 at American Ancestors - index & images ($)
 * 1720-1908 Vermont, Vital Records, 1720-1908 ($)
 * 1732-2005  at FamilySearch - Images only. - How to Use this Collection
 * 1760-1954  at FamilySearch - Index and Images. - How to Use this Collection
 * 1760-2008  at FamilySearch - index/images - How to Use this Collection
 * 1850-2005  at FamilySearch - Images only. - How to Use this Collection
 * Index.
 * Vermont Birth Records, 1909-2008 ($)
 * Vermont Births, 1981-2001 ($)
 * U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 ($)
 * Index only.
 * Vermont Marriage Records, 1909-2008 ($)
 * Vermont Marriage Index, 1981-1984 and 1989-2001 ($)
 * Supplement to Torrey's New England Marriages Prior to 1700 ($)
 * Supplement to Torrey's New England Marriages Prior to 1700 ($)
 * Second Supplement To Torrey's New England Marriages Prior to 1700 ($)

Town Clerk Records
Vital records were first kept in Vermont from the earliest permanent settlement, about 1760. All original records are maintained by the town or city and can be viewed at the town or city clerk’s office. The present vital registration law was enacted in 1857. This statute required that all vital events be recorded in the town where they occurred. A centralized registration system was established in 1919. '''The central registration of birth, marriage, death, and divorce records have been divided into the responsibilities of two state agencies. For vital records from 1760 to 5 years ago, use:'''
 * 1732-2005 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
 * 1850-2005 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
 * 1700-2008 Vermont: Births, Marriages and Deaths, 1700-2008 at American Ancestors - index & images ($)

For Vital Records for the 5 most recent years, contact:
 * Where to Write for Vermont Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records

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

Step 5: Search military records: World War I and World War II draft cards.
There are many different types of military records: draft records, enlistment records, service records, pension records, etc. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information. - Example of a World War I draft card.

- Example of a World War II draft card.





'''Search the World War I and World War II Draft Collections for male relatives.
- For more information and additional collections, see Vermont Military Records.
 * , index and images.
 * , index and images.

Step 6: Look for church records online.
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

 * 1765-1908 Index. Incomplete. - How to Use this Collection
 * 1791-1974 Index only. Incomplete. - How to Use this Collection
 * 1871-1965 Index. Incomplete. - How to Use this Collection

Lutheran

 * 1800-1947 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947, index and images, incomplete. ($)

Methodist

 * New England, Select United Methodist Church Records, 1787-1922, index and images, incomplete. ($)

Presbyterian

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

-
 * For help with church records kept in Vermont, see Vermont 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.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/textprototype/?content=new%20york
 * United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search: Vermont
 * Vermont, Wills and Probate Records, 1749-1999, ($), index and images, incomplete.
 * Index and Images.

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

For more information, see Vermont 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 an 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 would be the next step.



Vermont Immigration Records

 * United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records


 * U.S. Passport Applications for Vermont, 1795-1925 ($)
 * Passenger and Immigration Lists Index for Vermont, 1500s-1900s ($)
 * , index/images

Vermont Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records

 * United States Naturalization and Citizenship Online Genealogy Records
 * Browse Only.
 * Vermont, State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1790-1954, index & images ($).
 * images only.
 * images only.

For more information, see Vermont Emigration and Immigration and Vermont Naturalization and Citizenship.

Step 9: Search land records online.
These records will give the They can contain clues to
 * names of the buyer (grantee) and seller (grantor),
 * previous or new residence of the parties to the deed
 * the date they obtained the land,
 * the description of exact location of the land, sometimes mentioning neighbors.
 * family members who shared ownership of the land,
 * sold or gave land to a child, or
 * officially witnessed the sale.

Search for any ancestor's land records.

 * United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search: Vermont
 * 1600s-1900s at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images; ''Also at: Ancestry ($),
 * 1688-1786 (*) Vermont. Secretary of State, & Mary Greene Nye at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * 1700s (*) by Herbert Williams Denio at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * 1700s-1800s (*) Vermont. Office of Secretary of State, & Vermont. Surveyor-General at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * 1700s-1900s (*) Vermont. Office of Secretary of State, by Hiram A. Huse, & by Harry A. Black at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * 1749-1764 (*) Essex County Courts at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
 * 1775-1783 (*) Edited by Mary Greene Nye at FamilySearch Catalog - index & images
 * 1778-1787 (*) Vermont. Secretary of State, & Edward A. Hoyt, editor at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * 1778-1811 (*) Published by authority, by Rawson C. Myrick, Secretary of State, 1939. Edited by Mary Greene Nye at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * 1779-1846 (*) Vermont. Governor and Council at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * 1788-1792 (*) Vermont. Secretary of State, & Edward A. Hoyt, editor at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * 1793-1796 (*) Vermont. Secretary of State, & Allen Soule, editor at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * 1797-1799 (*) Vermont. Secretary of State, & Allen Soule, editor at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * Vermont Archives Lotting Plans Maps Database.
 * State Papers of Vermont and Miscellaneous Archives Publications at Vermont State Archives & Records Administration - lists with a descriptive title the various volumes of the State Papers of Vermont.

For more information, see Vermont Land and Property and United States Land and Property.

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: Vermont; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
 * Google Books. Use keywords "Vermont" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
 * Family History Books
 * County and Town Histories:*Internet Archive.Use keywords "Vermont" and the county name.
 * Ancestry.com, ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use Vermont 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.


 * County and Town Histories Vermont with biographies
 * American Biographical Library for Vermont ($)
 * Vermont Men, 1894, ($), index/images
 * Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont Vol. 1, e-book, Vol. 2
 * The Vermont historical gazetteer: a magazine, embracing a history of each town, civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military. Vol. 1, ebook, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5
 * Encyclopedia, Vermont biography; a series of authentic biographical sketches of the representative men of Vermont and sons of Vermont in other states, e-book
 * One Thousand Men, e-book
 * VERMONT BIOGRAPHIES PROJECT, index

Step 11: Contact a local historical or genealogical society.
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 * 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 area.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia.


 * Find the society on the internet, and 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, one of their members can be hired 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.

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

Vermont Online Genealogy Records
Search any other online records listed in Vermont 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 Vermont 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.
 * Vermont Online Genealogy Records

Step 13: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in Vermont.
This article focused more on Vermont state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in Vermont. These articles give information, office addresses, and links to county records. {|  Addison Bennington Caledonia Chittenden Essex Franklin</li> Grand Isle</li> Lamoille</li> Orange</li> Orleans</li> Rutland</li> Washington</li> Windham</li> Windsor</li> </ul>