Find an ancestor using Historical Records

Search for Specific Historical Records or Collections

 * When searching for records, we may not know how to find the records we need. We may not even be aware that they exist.


 * You will want to know as many of the following as possible:
 * Name of the Record/Collection/Topic
 * Location or area covered by the Record
 * Time the record covers.
 * Other Actions that may help to search the Wiki Use different ways to search and browse
 * Example:Carlisle Indian School Records

Can you help me?

 * Looking for answers to my Family History Questions I came to the Family Search Wiki and  ask "Can the Wiki help me?"


 * By going to the wiki and following many of these steps we can often find sources that help.




 * First go to the Main Page
 * Browsed by county/state or country and find (example Pennsylvania). Also we can browse by topic (example Carlisle Indian Industrial School (Pennsylvania))
 * Clicked on a county/state or country page or topic page and this will lead to possible pages.
 * You may find under Topics on the right side of the page many items to search (example American Indians) and you can then click and search.
 * At the resulting page you may found a list of sources (example Indians of Pennsylvania)
 * Then within these sources you may find the item that you need (example Carlisle Indian Industrial School (Pennsylvania))

Further Help for Beginners

 * Principles of Family History Research
 * Family History for Beginners
 * Help:Keys to success using the Wiki
 * FamilySearch Wiki:Success Stories