Geneological Resources
Early Vital Records
Vital records are records of life events kept under governmental authority, including birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death certificates. In some jurisdictions, vital records may also include records of civil unions or domestic partnerships. In the United States, vital records are typically maintained at the state level.National Archives
See the list of genealogical records on CD-ROM available at the National Archives in Washington D.C.
Types of Genealogical Records
Genealogists and family historians have a wide range of resources available to search for information about their ancestors. From Wikipedia, here is a list of common sources.
* Vital records
o Birth records
o Death records
o Marriage and divorce records
* Adoption records
* Biographies and biographical profiles (e.g. Who’s Who)
* Census records
* Church records
o Baptism or christening
o Confirmation
o Bar or bat mitzvah
o Marriage
o Funeral or death
o Membership
* City directories[10] and telephone directories
* Coroner’s reports
* Court records
o Criminal records
o Civil records
* Diaries, personal letters and family Bibles
* Emigration, immigration and naturalization records
* Hereditary & lineage organization records, e.g. Daughters of the American Revolution records
* Land and property records, deeds
* Medical records
* Military and conscription records
* Newspaper articles
* Obituaries
* Occupational records
* Oral histories
* Passports
* Photographs
* Poorhouse, workhouse, almshouse, and asylum records
* School and alumni association records
* Ship passenger lists
* Social Security (within the USA) and pension records
* Tax records
* Tombstones, cemetery records, and funeral home records
* Voter registration records
* Wills and probate records