User:Nolaneclark/Sandbox/How to Search by Name

You may have come to the ResearchWiki to search for a particular ancestor by name. FamilySearch ResearchWiki is linked with a number of resources that can help you search for indivduals by name.

Search FamilySearch Historical Records
FamilySearch provides online indexes and images of historical records that contain millions of names.

For an introduction on searching for an ancestor from FamilySearch historical records, watch the five minute video: Find a Record in Five Minutes.

Now get started. Go to familysearch.org and search for an online record of one of your ancestors.

Tips to remember:


 * Look for someone who was born before 1 April 1940.
 * For your initial search, just enter the first and last names of the person.
 * If your search yields too many names, narrow the search by:


 * 1) adding a life event (such as birth, marriage, residence or death) with a location and/or a time period to your search criteria; or
 * 2) using filters to narrow your search.

For guidance in using FamilySearch to locate digitized, online records see FamilySearch Tips.

Search Existing Genealogy Collections
Secondary sources with information about individuals are called compiled records. For general information, see genealogy collections and Major Databases for Beginning United States Research.

Search online family trees

 * Online family trees can found at:


 * FamilySearch (Select the tab "Trees".)
 * Rootsweb or World Connect
 * World; Family Tree at Genealogy.com, a subscription site
 * Ancestry.com, a subscription site
 * MyHeritage, a free, collaborative site
 * WeRelate, a free, collaborative site

Search online card catalogs

 * Limited edition family histories can be found online. Try surname searches at the following sites:


 * WorldCat.org (For tips, click.)
 * Family History Library (For tips, click.)
 * Family History Books (For tips, click.)
 * Library of Congress


 * In addition, identify local libraries and archives where your ancestor lived and see if their card catalogs are online.

Cautions regarding compiled records

 * Be cautious in using compiled records, particularly records that do not cite sources. Compiled records contain many errors. They should not be accepted as fact unless supported by reliable sources, but may point you in the right direction.


 * Do not be discouraged if you find many compiled records without source citations. Remember:


 * Each undocumented compiled record provides a clue for further research.
 * Don't try to research every line; select a particular ancestor for further research. (For guidance in deciding where to start, go to Family History for Beginners.)
 * You can coordinate your research with others researching the same name.

Search Census Records


As you search for information about ancestors, census records are generally the best starting point. Many indexed census records are now available online. Well-indexed census records are valuable because they can be used to:


 * Locate the family geographically over time;
 * Determine family relationships;
 * Obtain details about lives of ancestors; and
 * Find clues from the census to locate other records.

Links for Census Records
Through FamilySearch.org, one can obtain free access to indexed census records and images of census records. Historical records are available for both federal and state census records.

Click for tips in searching census indexes.

For other countries, one can go to FamilySearch and browse by location.

Indexes are merely the starting point. For accurate and complete information, you need to examine the actual census records. Fortunately, United States census record images are available online.

Guidance in the Use of Census Records
For a useful 45 minute online lesson on the use of census records, see Tiff's Census Class.

For articles providing guidance, see United States Census and United States, How to Use Census Records.

Extracting Information from Census Records

 * To extract information from census records, you can download census worksheets.
 * Remember to check out every census on which you expect to find an ancestor.
 * For useful guidance in evaluating information on census records, click for tips on analyzing census data.

Obtain Vital Records
As you seek to identify and document your ancestors, you always want to look for primary sources. The most critical events in the lives an individual are birth, marriage and death. Thus, whenever possible, rely on birth, marriage and death records (otherwise known as vital records).

Consult Research Wiki articles that discuss the history and use of United States Vital Records and the means to locate United States Vital Records.

Increasingly, states are digitizing their vital records and making them available online. Many such records are available on the FamilySearch Record Collection. For indexes and, in some cases, digitized records, go to Historical Records Collection and check the index by state.

Use Other Cutting-Edge Online Resources

 * For a popular overview of cutting-edge resources, view the lesson Genealogy Boot Camp.


 * Google Books


 * Review the Wiki article Google Books.
 * Use this link to connect to the dedicated Google Books site (books.google.com).


 * Internet Archive


 * Review the Wiki article Internet Archive
 * Use this link to connect to the Internet Archive.


 * NewpaperARCHIVE


 * Review the Wiki article NewspaperARCHIVE.
 * A membership fee is required, but your local library may offer access without charge. To connect use this link NewspaperARCHIVE.com ($)


 * Facebook Research Communities


 * For information and links, go to Join a Facebook Research Community