United States, Public Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection is an index of names, birth dates, addresses, phone numbers, and possible relatives of people who resided in the United States between 1970 and 2010. Not everyone who lived in the United States during this time will appear in the index. These records were generated from telephone directories, driver licenses, property tax assessments, credit applications, voter registration lists and other records available to the public. Birth information may be included for those residents born primarily between 1900 and 1990. These records have been gathered from multiple sources. The original sources are not available.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
The content varies by record. You may find any of the following:


 * Name
 * Name variations
 * Address or residence
 * Birth date
 * Phone numbers
 * Possible relatives

How to Use the Record
To search the collection by name fill in the requested information in the boxes on the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the individuals in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to look at the information on several individuals comparing the information about them to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names, or variations of their name, throughout their life.

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line video at FamilySearch Search Tips.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Extract the genealogical information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors. The following examples show ways you can use the information:


 * Use the residence information to find the family in census, church, and county records.
 * Use the possible relatives information to search in additional records.
 * Use the information to search for other collections in FamilySearch.org.
 * Use the information to collaborate with family members to do genealogical research.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have lived nearby.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * You may need to compare the information of more than one family or person to make this determination.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * Search the records of nearby localities.

Related Websites
United States Free Public Records Nationwide

Related Wiki Articles
United States

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.