1. Family Resources – gather names, dates, etc.
a. Use My Family handout to get started
b. Ask family members if they have done or are doing family
history/genealogy, inquire if you may have a copy of their research
or ask questions
c. Interview older family members – consider using a tape recorder or
take really good notes
d. Birth Announcements or birth certificates
e. Obituaries or death certificates
f. Probate
g. Funeral homes
h. Hospitals
i. Court records
j. Land and property records
k. Nobility
l. Divorce records
m. Church, Parish or membership records
n. Marriage announcements or marriage certificates
o. Funeral programs or cards
p. Family bibles – many families recorded information about the
family here
q. Cemeteries
r. Government
i. Vital records
ii. Census
iii. Military
iv. Taxation
v. Emigration
vi. Immigration
vii. Naturalization
viii. Citizenship
s. Photos
t. Scrapbooks
u. Books - biographies
v. Cards
w. Letters
x. Journals
y. Newspaper articles
z. Local Family History Centers