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How to Find Descendants in the United States (view source)
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'''Finding family records.''' Immediate or extended family members can be a rich resource of information. They may have access to family Bibles, photographs, letters, and personal histories, or they may know where you can go to find these records. | '''Finding family records.''' Immediate or extended family members can be a rich resource of information. They may have access to family Bibles, photographs, letters, and personal histories, or they may know where you can go to find these records. | ||
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| valign="middle" bgcolor="#ffff99" align="left" | '''''Expert Tip:''''' Many family histories can be accessed on the Internet. You can also request them at your local library through an interlibrary loan system, or they can be sent to a family history center. The following are great places to start your search for family histories: | |||
—Family History Library Catalog (Go to www.familysearch.org > Search > Family History Library Catalog > Surname Search.) | |||
—WorldCat database (Go to http://www.oclc.org/worldcat/default.htm.) | |||
—The Library of Congress online catalog (Go to http://catalog.loc.gov.) | |||
—HeritageQuest Online (Go to http://heritagequestonline.com.) <br> | |||
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'''Finding published family histories.''' Family histories are books that give genealogical information about one or more generations of a particular family. These books are often very well-researched and a great resource for finding family information. Some family histories have been poorly researched and documented, however. You should verify that the information you find in published family histories is accurate and documented. | |||
'''Finding | |||
You can often find family histories in libraries in the area where your ancestors lived. The Library of Congress and the Family History Library also have extensive collections of published family histories. | |||
'''Finding Internet information compiled by others.''' Internet genealogical databases are an excellent additional source. Someone may have already compiled and posted information on the ancestral family you are seeking. A quick search of a few Web sites may yield complete and well-documented research that only requires verification. You may even discover family members with whom you can collaborate. | |||
A good place to start your search for family information that has been compiled by others is [http://www.familysearch.org www.familysearch.org]. This site has several compiled databases that may help you find information, including the Ancestral File, the Pedigree Resource File, and the International Genealogical Index (IGI). | A good place to start your search for family information that has been compiled by others is [http://www.familysearch.org www.familysearch.org]. This site has several compiled databases that may help you find information, including the Ancestral File, the Pedigree Resource File, and the International Genealogical Index (IGI). | ||
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'''Broadening your search.''' A quick review of published family histories, compiled genealogies, and resources on the Internet will tell you how much research may still be needed. For information on how to do basic research, go to [[How to Begin a Search for Your Ancestor]].<br> | '''Broadening your search.''' A quick review of published family histories, compiled genealogies, and resources on the Internet will tell you how much research may still be needed. For information on how to do basic research, go to [[How to Begin a Search for Your Ancestor]].<br> | ||
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=== '''''Step 4: Consult Additional Sources''''' === | === '''''Step 4: Consult Additional Sources''''' === | ||
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