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How to Find Descendants in the United States (view source)
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The goal of descendancy research is to find the children (and spouses), grandchildren (and spouses), and so forth of an ancestral couple. Descendancy research starts farther back in time and moves toward the present. <br> | The goal of descendancy research is to find the children (and spouses), grandchildren (and spouses), and so forth of an ancestral couple. Descendancy research starts farther back in time and moves toward the present. <br> | ||
'''Motives for descendancy research.''' Some researchers may be motivated by a desire to contact relatives who have moved to distant lands. Some seek to show a relationship to a famous ancestor. Others may be seeking significant genealogical evidence such as the family Bible of a common ancestor. Or, they may be looking for someone to give a family heirloom such as an old photograph. Some look for possible heirs of an unclaimed rich estate in hopes of a reward. Some genealogical societies like the New England Historic Genealogical Society publish genealogical journals in a format showing descending generations. The Board for Certification of Genealogists asks applicants to submit a 3-generation research project which may be a descending line. Some LDS researchers are looking for more names to submit for temple ordinances.<br> | '''Motives for descendancy research.''' Some researchers may be motivated by a desire to contact relatives who have moved to distant lands. Some seek to show a relationship to a famous ancestor. Others may be seeking significant genealogical evidence such as the family Bible of a common ancestor. Or, they may be looking for someone to give a family heirloom such as an old photograph. Some look for possible heirs of an unclaimed rich estate in hopes of a reward. Medical researchers may seek a relative who could donate an organ. Some genealogical societies like the New England Historic Genealogical Society publish genealogical journals in a format showing descending generations. The Board for Certification of Genealogists asks applicants to submit a 3-generation research project which may be a descending line. Some LDS researchers are looking for more names to submit for temple ordinances.<br> | ||
== '''Value of Descendancy Research''' == | == '''Value of Descendancy Research''' == | ||
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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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Five record types are particularly rich in descendant information | Five record types are particularly rich in descendant information | ||
<br> —census records, wills (probate records), county histories, church records, and obituaries. They show parents and children and vital information. | |||
—census records, wills (probate records), county histories, church records, and obituaries. They show parents and children and vital information. | |||
'''Census records.''' Many governments have taken regular censuses of their citizens. In the United States, these censuses have taken place every decade since 1790. Many census records are available in a digital, searchable format. If you have census records available, you should search them for a record of your family. This record will guide the rest of your research by placing your family in a particular place at a specific time. Census records can be searched free of charge at any Church family history center with an Internet connection. | '''Census records.''' Many governments have taken regular censuses of their citizens. In the United States, these censuses have taken place every decade since 1790. Many census records are available in a digital, searchable format. If you have census records available, you should search them for a record of your family. This record will guide the rest of your research by placing your family in a particular place at a specific time. Census records can be searched free of charge at any Church family history center with an Internet connection. | ||
'''''Expert Tip<nowiki>:&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;</nowiki>'''''<nowiki>Starting in 1850, U.S. census records listed the names of each person living in the household. This census and those that followed are an effective resource for finding the names of an entire household.</nowiki> | '''''Expert Tip<nowiki>:&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;</nowiki>'''''<nowiki>Starting in 1850, U.S. census records listed the names of each person living in the household. This census and those that followed are an effective resource for finding the names of an entire household.</nowiki> | ||
Here are some hints for searching through census records: | Here are some hints for searching through census records: | ||
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If you do not know when or where your ancestor died, you may be able to find this information in the Social Security Death Index at '''[http://www.socialsecuritydeathindex.gov www.socialsecuritydeathindex.gov]''' for ancestors who lived and worked in the United States. The index lists names of deceased individuals from the mid-1960s to the present. It provides the date an ancestor was born, when the person died, and where the person resided at the time of death. This index only includes individuals who had a social security number in the United States. | If you do not know when or where your ancestor died, you may be able to find this information in the Social Security Death Index at '''[http://www.socialsecuritydeathindex.gov www.socialsecuritydeathindex.gov]''' for ancestors who lived and worked in the United States. The index lists names of deceased individuals from the mid-1960s to the present. It provides the date an ancestor was born, when the person died, and where the person resided at the time of death. This index only includes individuals who had a social security number in the United States. | ||
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<br>'''Quick Reference Chart 2 – Records to Consult''' | <br>'''Quick Reference Chart 2 – Records to Consult''' | ||
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=== '''''Step 5: Compile What You Have Learned''''' === | === '''''Step 5: Compile What You Have Learned''''' === | ||
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2. ''A Member's Guide to Temple and Family History Work: Ordinances and Covenants'' (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1993), 14.<br> | 2. ''A Member's Guide to Temple and Family History Work: Ordinances and Covenants'' (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1993), 14.<br> | ||
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