From the beginning of time, it seems that humans have been fascinated with ancestry. Even in Biblical times, it’s clear that genealogy records of some kind were kept, even if only orally. Researchers think that many of the hieroglyphs on Egyptian pyramids record the ancestry of the Pharaohs and other important nobles. This tradition of record keeping and veneration of those that came before has stayed with humanity through the generations. In the modern era, this fascination with ancestors is manifested through the wild popularity of genealogy and genealogy websites. If you’re interested in doing genealogy research, you can use public records to jump start your family history project.

Public records are the backbone of any genealogical undertaking. Information like birth records, death records, marriage records, and court records are the best and most readily available way to find out more about your ancestors. By starting with yourself or another known relative and working backwards through records, you can fill in any blanks you might have on your family tree. But public records include much more than just names. Records not only include interesting details (place of residence, occupation, etc.), they can clue you in to other places to round out your genealogy research.

Moreover, thanks to the internet, finding public records is easier than every before. Whereas in the past, genealogy research frequently had to visit courthouses, archives and graveyards in multiple locations to piece together coherent facts, new online searches take the footwork out of researching your ancestors. Simply by clicking search, you can find records from coast to coast, all without leaving your desk. Fast, convenient, and affordable, it’s hard to beat the service that online public record searches offer.

Public records and genealogy research are an exciting way to learn more about your forebears. Armed with this tool, you can unlock generations of your family. You may even discover that you’re related to someone famous like Elvis or Doc Holliday. No matter what your research uncovers, you’ll be glad to know that you’re continuing the age-old tradition of documenting and revering the past.

Matthew Beeson is a part-time model who does freelance web projects. You can do your own public records search at http://www.publicrecordspro.com

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Most genealogy software programs can export information about persons and their relationships in a standardized format called “GEDCOM” In that format it can be shared with other genealogists, added to online databases, or converted into family web sites.

Genealogists use a wide variety of records in their research. To effectively conduct genealogical research, it is important to understand how the records were created, what information is included in them, and how and where to access them.

* 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