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*'''''Review local history'''''. Study a history of the areas where your ancestors lived for clues about the people, places, and events that may have effected their lives and the records about them. Records with information about migration and settlement patterns, government jurisdictions, and historical events are described in the “[[United States History|History]]” and “[[United States Minorities|Minorities]]” sections of this Wiki article.
*'''''Review local history'''''. Study a history of the areas where your ancestors lived for clues about the people, places, and events that may have effected their lives and the records about them. Records with information about migration and settlement patterns, government jurisdictions, and historical events are described in the “[[United States History|History]]” and “[[United States Minorities|Minorities]]” sections of this Wiki article.


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=== Previous Research  ===


<br>
After gaining some background information, you will be ready to look for any research that has already been gathered by others, such as:


<br> Previous Research. After gaining some background information, you will be ready to look for any research that has already been gathered by others, such as:
*Printed family histories and genealogies
*Family information published in periodicals
*Biographies
*Local histories
*Manuscript collections of family information
*Family newsletters
*Computer databases of family information
*Hereditary and lineage society records


    * Printed family histories and genealogies
These can save you valuable time and often provide excellent information. For example, if you were researching the Pierce family, you may find a book or magazine article about your family, such as the ''Pierce Genealogy: Being the Record of the Posterity of Thomas Pierce''.
    * Family information published in periodicals
    * Biographies
    * Local histories
    * Manuscript collections of family information
    * Family newsletters
    * Computer databases of family information
    * Hereditary and lineage society records


These can save you valuable time and often provide excellent information. For example, if you were researching the Pierce family, you may find a book or magazine article about your family, such as the Pierce Genealogy: Being the Record of the Posterity of Thomas Pierce.  
Many records containing previous research are described in the “Biography,” “Genealogy,” “History,” “Periodicals,” and “Societies” sections of the article. Remember, however, that the information in these sources is secondary and may need to be verified by original records.  


Many records containing previous research are described in the “Biography,” “Genealogy,” “History,” “Periodicals,” and “Societies” sections of the article. Remember, however, that the information in these sources is secondary and may need to be verified by original records.
Original Documents


Original Documents. After surveying previous research, you will be ready to search original documents. These records can provide primary information about your family because they were generally recorded at or near the time of an event by a reliable witness. To do thorough research, you should search the existing records of:  
After surveying previous research, you will be ready to search original documents. These records can provide primary information about your family because they were generally recorded at or near the time of an event by a reliable witness. To do thorough research, you should search the existing records of:  


     * Each place where your ancestor lived
     * Each place where your ancestor lived
     * The complete time period when he lived there
     * The complete time period when he lived there
     * All jurisdictions that may have kept records about him (church and town, county, state, and federal governments)
     * All jurisdictions that may have kept records about him (church and town, county, state, and federal governments)
   
   
   
   
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     * Photocopies. The Family History Library and many other libraries offer limited photoduplication services for a small fee. Most will provide a few photocopies, but only if you specify the exact pages you need. Many will also photocopy a few pages of an index or an alphabetical record (such as a city directory) for a specific surname.
     * Photocopies. The Family History Library and many other libraries offer limited photoduplication services for a small fee. Most will provide a few photocopies, but only if you specify the exact pages you need. Many will also photocopy a few pages of an index or an alphabetical record (such as a city directory) for a specific surname.
     * Publishers. You can purchase records from their publishers if the records are still in print. A local book dealer or library can help you identify and contact publishers. A helpful list of genealogical publishers and publications is:
     * Publishers. You can purchase records from their publishers if the records are still in print. A local book dealer or library can help you identify and contact publishers. A helpful list of genealogical publishers and publications is:
   
   
   
   
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     Hoffman, Marian. Genealogical and Local History Books in Print, 5th ed. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1996. (FHL book 973 D23h; computer number 784541.)  
     Hoffman, Marian. Genealogical and Local History Books in Print, 5th ed. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1996. (FHL book 973 D23h; computer number 784541.)  
   
   
   
   
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     You can purchase Family History Library publications (research outlines, resource guides, and genealogical word lists.) from the Salt Lake Distribution Center or from the library. This article often gives the number you need to order the publication (a five-digit number in parentheses) after its title. You can find titles, number of pages, prices, and order numbers in the free Family History Publications List (34083). The Family History Library and Family History Centers do not sell books.  
     You can purchase Family History Library publications (research outlines, resource guides, and genealogical word lists.) from the Salt Lake Distribution Center or from the library. This article often gives the number you need to order the publication (a five-digit number in parentheses) after its title. You can find titles, number of pages, prices, and order numbers in the free Family History Publications List (34083). The Family History Library and Family History Centers do not sell books.  
   
   
   
   
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     * Bookstores. Some bookstores carry newer family history books. Often you can obtain out-of-print books from the very large bookstores. For a small fee they can advertise nationwide for old books.
     * Bookstores. Some bookstores carry newer family history books. Often you can obtain out-of-print books from the very large bookstores. For a small fee they can advertise nationwide for old books.
   
   
   
   
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     * Does the new information verify the information found in other sources? Does it differ from information in other sources?
     * Does the new information verify the information found in other sources? Does it differ from information in other sources?
     * Does it suggest other places, time periods, or records to search?
     * Does it suggest other places, time periods, or records to search?
   
   
   
   
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