Choose a Record Type

Principles of Family History Research &gt;  Step 3. Select Records to Search  &gt;  Choose a Record Type

Now that you know whether you need genealogical records or reference tools, and have selected the category of records (compiled, original, background, or finding aids) to search, you need to determine which record type will best help you meet your objective. The following tables can help you choose a record type.

Other Tools for Choosing a Record Type
Besides the tables, these tools can help you choose appropriate record types:


 * Research Outlines published by the Family History Library published on paper and on the Internet and this wiki are available for the United States (including each state), Canada (and each province), and other countries such as Denmark, England, Germany, Ireland, and Peru. They describe record types useful for those areas and cite some specific useful records. The record selection table in the introduction to each national research outline shows possible research objectives, and the record types most likely to include that kind of information. For example, see the United States Record Selection Table. For a brief explanation of how to use this table in combination with the Family History Library Catalog, see Guessing a Record Type to Use.

If an outline is not available for your country, the outline for a neighboring country may be helpful. For example, much of the France Research Outline may also apply to Belgium.


 * Handbooks generally identify record types for an area or topics to research. Some handbooks may use different terms for the record types (such as wills instead of probate records), but they give useful descriptions. Older handbooks may have out of date addresses and will not discuss newly available records or research strategies.