Records

It is helpful to understand to what information is in the records that are commonly used in family history.

And the Information They Contain

Adapted from Ancestors, Guide to Discovery: Key Principles and Processes of Family History Research, by Jim Tyrrell

Types of records
Birth Records contain the childs full name, date and place of birth, and parents names. They may also include other information about the parents, such as their address, race, and occupations. Marriage Records contain the brides and grooms full names and the marriage date and place. They may also include the couples address, ages, parents names and birthplaces, previous marriage information, and the names of the witnesses. Death Records contain the persons name, date and place of death, cause of death, birth date and place, age, gender, race, residence, occupation, and marital status. They may also include information about the deceaseds spouse and parents and the person providing the information. Church Records are, in many places, the only official records. These records often contain information such as baptisms, marriages, deaths, church membership, and so forth. Obituaries contain the deceaseds name and the death date and place. They may also contain biographical information, age, birthplace, names of survivors (spouse, parents, children), and address. Family Bibles passed down through several generations of a family may have pages inscribed with family members births, marriages, deaths, relationships, and genealogy. Cemeteries and Grave Markers contain the deceaseds name and death date. They may also contain birth, marriage, and death dates and the names of the spouse and other family members. Census Records may, depending on the place and time, contain only the name of the head of household and the number of persons living there. Census records with more extensive information might also contain the names, relationships, ages, and genders of people living in the household and their occupations, income, and so forth.
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Slavery and Bondage Records contain information (names, birth and death dates, parents, etc.) of slaves and indentured servants. Military Records contain the full name, age, and rank of people who served in the military. They may also contain birth and death information. Some records, such as applications for military pensions, may contain information about family members.

Emigration and Immigration Records contain information about people moving out or into a country. They may contain lists of ship passengers, people who bought tickets from a ticket agent, and police registrations (which were sometimes required for leaving or arriving in a country).

Records that contain specific types of information

Birth Information Birth records Death records Church records Census records Emigration and immigration records Bible records Cemeteries Obituaries Military records Marriage Information Marriage records Death records Church records Bible records Divorce records Land and property records Death Information Death records Church records Cemeteries Obituaries Bible records Military records