Public Record Search

A public record search of births, deaths and marriages is the basis for your family history research and are generally the easiest of records to access.

The records found through a public record search form are the 'meat and potatoes' of genealogy. They are what is known in genealogy lingo as primary records. Meaning that they are a primary source of information because they are usually completed at, or close to, the time of the event. There are exceptions to this rule and these will be pointed out as we proceed. Of course, the further back your generations go, the more you will have to rely on church recrds, wills, newspapers etc.

Births

Birth records can provide the following information:

• Name
• Date and place of the birth
• Tells which child this is
• How many children the mother has had and how many are still living
• Gives the names of the parents, including the mother's maiden name
• The parent's ages when the child was born
• Parents racial origin
• Occupations
• Date and place of parent's marriage.

It is important to note down: Who gave the information, who wrote it down, who signed the document and how they signed their name.

Some alternates to birth records include: Baptismal records, birth announcements in the newspaper or the family bible.

Marriages

Marriage records can provide the following information:

• Names of the bride and groom and their ages
• Their places of birth
• Place of birth of their fathers
• The maiden name of their mothers
• Whether they were a spinster/bachelor or widow/widower, or divorced
• The occupation of the groom
• Names of their parents
• Whether married by license or banns
• Date and place of the marriage
• Religious denomination of the bride and groom and the officiating clergy
• Names and addresses of the witnesses.

You should note down: Who gave the information, who wrote it down, who signed the document and how they signed their name.

Alternate marriage sources can be the family bible, a newspaper write-up, subsequent anniversary write-ups especially the silver or golden wedding celebrations.

Deaths

Death records can provide the following information:

• Name
• Date and place of death
• Sex
• Age
• Whether single or married
• Name of the husband or wife, using the wife's maiden name
• Place of birth
• Religion
• Name of the physician
• Name and signature of the informant.

• Racial origin
• Widowed or divorced
• Date of birth and age in years, months and days
• Name and birth place of the father
• Place of birth of the mother
• Informants address and relationship to the deceased
• Place of burial, cremation or removal
• Date of burial
• Undertaker's signature or person acting as such along with their address.

*Death records may also tell you the cause of your ancestors demise. This is very handy if you're unsure of your link to that person and he or she suffered from an heriditary condition that is prominant in your family. Often the illnesses written on death certificates were known by different names to what they are called today. So if you wouldn't know the 'ague' from the 'flux', here is some help on old medical terms.

You should note down: The name of the informant because he or she may have known more details about the deceased.

Alternate death record sources can be church records, prayer card given at the funeral, obituary/newspaper announcement, cemetery, funeral home or monument company records. You can also also check if there is a cemetery index.

For a more in-depth look at vital records Click Here.

You should be well on your way to making progress in your research with the knowledge gained so far - assuming of course that you have put that knowledge into practice.

WHAT, YOU HAVEN'T?

Hang your head in shame!

No excuses accepted with a public record search. All you need is a name and an approximate date. How simple is that?

Remember: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step."

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