Genealogy FAQs

Where do I start? 

As an amateur genealogist and paraprofessional archivist, I hear this question a lot. On this page, I try to provide answers to a number of beginner questions. Here you will find links to helpful resources, lists of commonly used document types, and a list of possible local research locations. If you have any questions, suggestions for improvements, or comments, please use the contact form to the right. Happy searching!

Where can I perform my research?

Before you can start researching, you will need to find a place to perform your research. Fortunately, many public libraries have local history and/or genealogy departments (or rooms) that fulfill this need. Some local history information centers are just that: centers for local history where you can research people and places in that specific city, county, or state. You may have to travel to your county's repository, or even your state archives. Below you will find a list of common repositories and what you may find at each venue.

Local history and/or genealogy department (or room)
I am lucky enough to work in a local history department that is the official repository for my county's historical records. We house lots of document types: chancery cases, probate cases, naturalization papers, birth registries, death registries, county newspapers dating from 1863, death certificates, sheriff ledgers, marriage licenses, etc. We also have family history books for thousands of families, both local and nationwide. There are family files that researchers donate to us. We also have general reference materials. For those who are not so lucky as to find a local repository with such a plethora of resources, fear not. There are many other places to look!

County Archives
Most counties have their archives in a county library or other larger public library in their county. These archives may have lots of information, or information may be sparse.

What document types should I look for?

The answer to this question is: it depends on your reasons behind doing family history research. If you are simply looking for leads, you may be satisfied with census records, city directories, obituaries, or cemetery listings. If you are working on a DAR or SAR application, are researching your family history for legal reasons, or are looking for more in depth research, you are probably looking for birth certificates and registers, death certificates and registers, marriage applications or licenses, deed records, chancery case files, probate records, and parish or other church records. Birth, marriage, and death records, depending on the year, may be located at your local history and genealogy center. Sometimes these records are available via the county courthouse, the county clerk, the recorder of deeds, the circuit clerk, and other venues (see above answer).

Where can I get help with research?

Seek help from your local genealogy society or historical society. Many of these folks love meeting someone newly interested in local history and genealogy. If you don't have time to conduct your own in-depth research, consider hiring a professional genealogist (though this can become costly--most charge for all supplies and charge a research fee from $20-$100 per hour, depending on qualifications and type of research).

You can also ask the information specialists and librarians at your local public library! If they do not know the answers, they will point you to someone who does.

Helpful links for beginners

• About.com's Genealogy Site
• Ancestry.com's Learning Center
• Brigham Young University offers 10 beginner and intermediate family history courses. These courses are conducted online as independent studies. For more information visit BYU's Independent Study page.