Common Sources of Family History Information in Everyday Life
2010
There are many, many sources of information about our ancestors and our extended family members. Being alert to opportunities to gather information and creating opportunities to do so will become second nature if we work on it. Our religious affiliations often include records and documents which are unique to our beliefs and many sources of ancestral information is different by country, race and culture. We should personalize our lists. Here are some helpful lists of things we might want to keep for our families where information of a family history nature is included:
About Birth
- Birth Certificate
- Christening Record
- Blessing Record (LDS)
- Photograph of the Christening/Blessing event and the names of those who attended
- A photograph of the baby’s clothes
- Hospital/Birth Documents
- Baby Gifts: What and by Whom
- Hospital Bracelets
- Photograph of mother before the birth of each child and after the birth with the newborn
- Newspaper from the day of the child’s birth
- Copy of the birth announcement and a list of those who received one
- Foot or hand print of the baby
- Photograph of the home where the baby lived at the time of birth
- Photograph of the baby with all available generations.
- Photograph of the baby with its family group
About Death
- Death Certificate
- Obituary or Death Notice
- Mortuary Record
- Sexton/Cemetery Record
- Burial Location
- Funeral Program
- Audio of funeral if possible
- Photograph of the deceased in coffin
- Photograph of the coffin prior to burial
- Photograph of the grave stone once it is set
- Photograph of the entrance to the cemetery with the cemetery’s name
- Last Will and Testament
- Random photographs of funeral attendees
About Marriage
- Marriage License
- Marriage Certificate
- Wedding Invitation if Applicable
- Newspaper article about marriage
- Marriage Registration (depends on State requirements)
- Photograph of the married or to-be-married couple
- Newspaper from the marriage day
- Photographs of family members in attendance
- Photographs of the place where the marriage took place
About Baptism (LDS)
- Certificate of Baptism
- Photograph of person to be baptized
- Photograph of person to be baptized with officiator
- List of attendees
- Program from the baptismal meeting
About Ordinations (LDS)
- Certificates of Priesthood Ordination: Aaronic and Melchezidek
- Certificates of Priesthood Ordination within each Priesthood: Deacon, Teacher, Priest, Elder, High Priest
- List of those attending the ordination
- Photographs
- Priesthood Line of Authority for the newly ordained person from the officiator
About Church Organization (LDS)
- Certificates of Advancement in Primary
- Certificates of Advancement Related to Scouting
- Certificates of Advancement Related to the Young Women’s Program
About Missionary Service (LDS)
- Copy of application to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints
- Mission Call
- Copy of talk given in Sacrament Meeting before leaving for mission
- Photographs
- Retain all letters written to the missionary and from the missionary in chronological order as they are received. These letters will easily form a journal of the missionary experience from the time of calling until release.
About Military Service
- Certificates
- Draft Registration if applicable
- Photographs in Uniform
- Discharge Papers
- Pension Files
- Uniforms and rank insignias
About Education
- Certificates of Advancement
- Certificates of Graduation
- Photographs of schools
- Report Cards
- Transcripts
- School Photographs
About Employment
- Resumes
- Offer letters
- Photographs
Other Things
- Land purchase and sale documents
- Home purchase and sale documents
- City Directories
- Telephone Directories
- County Biographies such as The Goodspeed Publications
- Church Histories: All Denominations
- Medical Records
- Fraternal Organizations
- Prison Records
- Mental Hospital Records
- ORAL HISTORY
- Immigration Records
- Emigration Records
- Divorce Records
- Newspapers
- Periodicals