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Most notable amongst these is the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City and its 4,000 branches (the FamilySearch Centers). Likewise most archives also contain a certain amount of books and indexes which are derivative sources. For addresses of government departments, archives and libraries kindly consult genealogical texts specific to your area of research, or your public library. For your closest FamilySearch Center (FSC) look in your phone book under Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or on the [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ FamilySearch website] | Most notable amongst these is the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City and its 4,000 branches (the FamilySearch Centers). Likewise most archives also contain a certain amount of books and indexes which are derivative sources. For addresses of government departments, archives and libraries kindly consult genealogical texts specific to your area of research, or your public library. For your closest FamilySearch Center (FSC) look in your phone book under Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or on the [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ FamilySearch website] | ||
In this section reference is frequently made to films obtainable through the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ | In this section reference is frequently made to films obtainable through the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ FamilySearch centers]. | ||
=== Finding Family Sources === | === Finding Family Sources === | ||
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Records of Births, Marriages and Deaths are created by an agency of government; national, or provincial/state/county or city/town depending on the country in question. These modern records may have publicly-available indexes, but in some jurisdictions do not. | Records of Births, Marriages and Deaths are created by an agency of government; national, or provincial/state/county or city/town depending on the country in question. These modern records may have publicly-available indexes, but in some jurisdictions do not. | ||
The ''indexes'' to civil registration are a priority for microfilming by FamilySearch and therefore can be found at the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ | The ''indexes'' to civil registration are a priority for microfilming by FamilySearch and therefore can be found at the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ FamilySearch centers]. Larger FSCs are more likely to have the films. Certificates or Registrations of Birth, Marriage and Death are available from the appropriate government department for a fee ranging from $5-$50. They may be photocopies of the original records or transcripts of them. After a certain number of years these records are released, for example by Act of Parliament, to the appropriate archives as ‘historic’ material. A new, publicly-available index is usually then made by the archives, often with assistance from the local FHS. These indexes tend to be more comprehensive, as they are able to include amendments and late entries, and they are made with researchers’ needs in mind. | ||
They are available at the holding archives (and perhaps contiguous ones also). Check with your local public archives or genealogical societies to find out where the documents you require are housed. Most often, they will also be microfilmed for use at the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ | They are available at the holding archives (and perhaps contiguous ones also). Check with your local public archives or genealogical societies to find out where the documents you require are housed. Most often, they will also be microfilmed for use at the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ FamilySearch centers] worldwide. In all cases the certificates or registrations will contain more information than an index, and are the original source. | ||
The ''original historic registrations'' will be available to view, transcribe and photocopy at the appropriate archives. Since they are now in the public domain they can also be microfilmed and eventually will be available at the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ | The ''original historic registrations'' will be available to view, transcribe and photocopy at the appropriate archives. Since they are now in the public domain they can also be microfilmed and eventually will be available at the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ FamilySearch centers]. Check with your local center for availability. | ||
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Most censuses available to the genealogist are from the 19th century, although there are earlier ones for certain countries e.g. Norway 1664, Iceland 1703 and later ones e.g. England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Canada 1911, USA 1940 (in April 2012). For later ones still held under Rights of Privacy Legislation there is occasionally limited access. | Most censuses available to the genealogist are from the 19th century, although there are earlier ones for certain countries e.g. Norway 1664, Iceland 1703 and later ones e.g. England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Canada 1911, USA 1940 (in April 2012). For later ones still held under Rights of Privacy Legislation there is occasionally limited access. | ||
The original censuses are held by the government that created them until they are released to the archives to become available to us. Deterioration through heavy usage by genealogists is prevented by microfilming or microfiching by the archives themselves, or by FamilySearch, and these formats will be the ones you will use. Unless you are able to visit each area archives you will find it easiest to view the microfilm at the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ | The original censuses are held by the government that created them until they are released to the archives to become available to us. Deterioration through heavy usage by genealogists is prevented by microfilming or microfiching by the archives themselves, or by FamilySearch, and these formats will be the ones you will use. Unless you are able to visit each area archives you will find it easiest to view the microfilm at the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ FamilySearch centers]. Street indexes are often available for larger towns and cities both at archives and the FamilySearch Library. | ||
Nominal indexes, some by surname and first name, others merely and less-usefully by surname, for many censuses have been made usually by volunteers from Family History or Genealogy Societies (FHS). These can be searched or bought through the local FHS that made them, and some are at your own FHS. The Society of Genealogists in London has most census indexes produced by local FHSs in Britain. | Nominal indexes, some by surname and first name, others merely and less-usefully by surname, for many censuses have been made usually by volunteers from Family History or Genealogy Societies (FHS). These can be searched or bought through the local FHS that made them, and some are at your own FHS. The Society of Genealogists in London has most census indexes produced by local FHSs in Britain. | ||
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Church registers are kept by the church whilst still useful for the living. After this they may be passed to the diocese or other regional church authority. Eventually most will be housed in appropriate conditions for preservation at a designated archives where they may be viewed. | Church registers are kept by the church whilst still useful for the living. After this they may be passed to the diocese or other regional church authority. Eventually most will be housed in appropriate conditions for preservation at a designated archives where they may be viewed. | ||
In some cases microforming is carried out as soon as the archives can afford it, or FamilySearch will offer their services free and present the archives with a complimentary set of films of their holdings in return for having copies for use at the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ | In some cases microforming is carried out as soon as the archives can afford it, or FamilySearch will offer their services free and present the archives with a complimentary set of films of their holdings in return for having copies for use at the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ FamilySearch centers]. The genealogist may find that they need to consult the incumbent, a church or other archives, or the FSC to gain access to the parish registers. | ||
Various transcripts have been made over the ages, from annual copies to head office (e.g. English Bishops’ Transcripts and judiciary transcripts in Quebec) to modern computerized, professionally triple-checked and indexed efforts. These may be located in various libraries and archives, and microfilms will be available through archives and the FamilySearch Library. | Various transcripts have been made over the ages, from annual copies to head office (e.g. English Bishops’ Transcripts and judiciary transcripts in Quebec) to modern computerized, professionally triple-checked and indexed efforts. These may be located in various libraries and archives, and microfilms will be available through archives and the FamilySearch Library. | ||
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All kinds of indexes have been made to save the researcher time and effort, some are great, some are horrendously inaccurate. The student is cautioned that indexes are merely finding aids. Recourse has to be made to the original, first recording for final authority and preferably a photocopy. | All kinds of indexes have been made to save the researcher time and effort, some are great, some are horrendously inaccurate. The student is cautioned that indexes are merely finding aids. Recourse has to be made to the original, first recording for final authority and preferably a photocopy. | ||
Indexes are available for individual parishes, county-wide christenings, marriages, and burials, as well as for wider areas for example there are 7 million entries in Boyd’s Marriage Index for England 1500-1837. The researcher should read books and journals to find what is available for the location of interest. Generally speaking, local indexes will be found most readily at the relevant archives and Family History or Genealogy Society (FHS), but many are also available elsewhere, in particular on microfilm at at the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ | Indexes are available for individual parishes, county-wide christenings, marriages, and burials, as well as for wider areas for example there are 7 million entries in Boyd’s Marriage Index for England 1500-1837. The researcher should read books and journals to find what is available for the location of interest. Generally speaking, local indexes will be found most readily at the relevant archives and Family History or Genealogy Society (FHS), but many are also available elsewhere, in particular on microfilm at at the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ FamilySearch centers]. | ||
=== Finding Probate === | === Finding Probate === | ||
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As with other sources, wills and all the other accompanying documents in a probated estate file, are usually passed to a national, provincial or state archives (or institutions that house historic records) after a certain period of time, or when the court itself can no longer store them. By determining their location you can have photocopies made. | As with other sources, wills and all the other accompanying documents in a probated estate file, are usually passed to a national, provincial or state archives (or institutions that house historic records) after a certain period of time, or when the court itself can no longer store them. By determining their location you can have photocopies made. | ||
All probate materials are considered a priority for FamilySearch filming and huge collections are available at the FamilySearch Library. Some microfilm and microfiche may be available at various local | All probate materials are considered a priority for FamilySearch filming and huge collections are available at the FamilySearch Library. Some microfilm and microfiche may be available at various local FamilySearch centers. You may also use the inexpensive ''Request for Photocopies'' method outlined in this course, as records will be in either date or alphabetical order and hence easy to find. | ||
Indexes to wills, admons, and other probate materials will be with the administering authority and can be consulted through them. Most are also microfilmed for use at the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ | Indexes to wills, admons, and other probate materials will be with the administering authority and can be consulted through them. Most are also microfilmed for use at the FamilySearch Library or some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ FamilySearch centers]. | ||
=== Finding Land Records === | === Finding Land Records === | ||
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