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Family history research for | Family history research for ancestors living in big cities in the United States involves the same research processes as in other places but adds opportunities and challenges. | ||
= Sources To Use = | == Sources To Use == | ||
Use the following sources while researching families: | Use the following sources while researching families: | ||
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*Immigration Records | *Immigration Records | ||
*Naturalization Records | *Naturalization Records | ||
*City Maps | *City Maps | ||
*"A Handy Guide to Record Searching in the Larger Cities of the United States" by E. Kay Kirkham can be found in the Library Catalog fiche {{FSC|216818|item|disp=# 6010059}}, where it can be viewed online. | |||
= Characteristics of Big Cities = | == Characteristics of Big Cities == | ||
Residents in large U.S. cities share the following characteristics: | Residents in large U.S. cities share the following characteristics: | ||
*Many families rent their home or apartment. A smaller percentage of the population are found in the land, probate, tax, and other records involving property. | *Many families rent their home or apartment. A smaller percentage of the population are found in the land, probate, tax, and other records involving property. | ||
*A lot of residents are new immigrants | *A lot of residents are new immigrants | ||
*Many people are looking to move | *Many people are looking to move | ||
*Neighbors are less likely to be relatives than in rural areas | *Neighbors are less likely to be relatives than in rural areas | ||
Other considerations: | |||
*The wide economic span--the city will have very wealthy residents and very poor residents. | |||
*Big cities have ethnic neighborhoods and communities. Families may move to be closer to a church congregation or ethnic group. | |||
*Big cities offer a variety of churches and congregations. | |||
*The wide economic span--the city will have very wealthy residents and very poor residents. | |||
*Big cities have ethnic neighborhoods and communities. Families may move to be closer to a church congregation or ethnic group. | |||
*Big cities offer a variety of churches and congregations. | |||
*For health reasons, registration of births and deaths began sooner in big cities, but many people were missed. | *For health reasons, registration of births and deaths began sooner in big cities, but many people were missed. | ||
Research cautions: | |||
*Search the indexes and records carefully because different people can have the same name. | |||
*More people were overlooked in vital records and other local records. | |||
*City and county officials may have kept separate records, some of which overlap. Check the vital records in both jurisdictions. | |||
== U.S. Cities Through Time == | |||
= U.S. Cities Through Time = | |||
As an example of big cities in U.S. history, here are the ten largest for the years 1790, 1840, and 1900. | As an example of big cities in U.S. history, here are the ten largest for the years 1790, 1840, and 1900. | ||
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*Buffalo (NY) with 352,387 | *Buffalo (NY) with 352,387 | ||
[[Category:United_States]] | |||