Select Records to Search: Difference between revisions

At the end of this step you will have a research log with descriptions of records you will search to meet your objective.

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There is no substitute for learning about records in order to select the best records to search. The more you understand about the records used for genealogical research, the more effectively you will be able to select and use them. The first step to understanding the records used in research is to learn the genealogical classification of records You can then use that classification to help you select appropriate records. You cannot select an appropriate records unless your objective is clearly defined.

Genealogical sources can be grouped into two divisions, each with two categories. The following chart illustrates the relationship of these four categories.<br> [[Image:Genealogical Sources Tree.jpg|frame|center]] Review your objective. If you have a genealogical objective you will be selecting ''genealogical records''. For reference objectives, you will want to select ''reference tools''. When you know which kind of source you want, the following guidelines will help you choose from these categories of records: (1)&nbsp;compiled records, (2)&nbsp;original records, (3)&nbsp;background information, or (4)&nbsp;finding aids.

Genealogical records provide vital and biographical information on individuals and families (see [[Identify What You Know#Types of Genealogical Information|Types of Genealogical Information]]). This includes information about—<br> '''''Vital events.''''' This information goes on your family group records and pedigree charts:<br>  

The two categories of genealogical records are: (1)&nbsp;compiled records, and (2)&nbsp;original records.  

Compiled records are collections of information about a person, group or family. Researchers and authors gathered information from original and other compiled records. Therefore, compiled records represent one or more researcher’s opinion of what the records say about an individual or family. A published family history, for example, is often compiled from vital records, census records, family papers, and local histories. Whenever you begin research on a new family, search compiled records before original records. This will help you learn what has already been researched.  

'''''Local''''' sources are compiled records of persons or families of a specific place. The various record types include history, periodicals, genealogy, biography, societies, nobility, and heraldic visitations.  

*Save research time. Someone may already have extracted, compiled, indexed, or documented information you seek.  

*Provide family links not easily found in original documents.  

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'''''Vital events.''''' Records of births, christenings, marriages, divorce, death and burial, created by families, governments, churches, or other institutions.  

'''''Personal Records.''''' Records about an individual or family created specifically by the person.  

*identify relationships between individuals.  

*give primary information about a specific event.  

*verify the accuracy of compiled records.  

*provide information not found in compiled sources.  

'''''Places''''', such as:  

Reference tools include two categories: (1)&nbsp;background information, and (2)&nbsp;finding aids.  

[[Select Records to Search#Background Information Choices|Background information]] helps you understand the settings in which records were created and the places, groups, or subjects used in family history research. In addition, they describe the circumstances of life in a particular place and time. Use background information when you need help selecting or using genealogical records. This category includes the record groups of—<br>  

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[[Select_Records_to_Search#Finding Aids Choices|Finding aids]] can help you determine ''where'' information can be found. There are two groups of finding aids—  

Use finding aids after you have selected a record and if you need help locating the record or finding a person in the record.  

Now that you know whether you need genealogical records or reference tools, and have selected the category of records (compiled, original, background, or finding aids) to search, you need to determine which record type will best help you meet your objective. The following tables can help you choose a record type.  

[[Image:Choose a Compiled Record Type.png|frame|center]] <!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors -->  

=== '''Finding Aids Choices'''  ===

== '''Other Tools for Choosing a Record Type'''  ==

*'''''Handbooks''''' generally identify record types for an area or topics to research. Some handbooks may use different terms for the record types (such as wills instead of probate records), but they give useful descriptions. Older handbooks may have out of date addresses and will not discuss newly available records or research strategies.

You have identified a record type. Now you are ready to compare information on your family group record with catalogs or record lists in order to choose which specific records you will search. First, look again at the family group record for information about where and when a selected event occurred. If necessary guess when and where it happened.

To find useful source documents, sometimes a researcher needs to be good at guessing information needed to find ancestors in documents. Each of the following involves being able to guess some '''''additional''''' information based on what is already shown on a family group record:<br>

You may search the catalog by '''''Surname''''' (for family histories), by '''''Place''''' (for record types), by '''''Subject'''''' (such as Navajo Indians), or by '''''Author''''' or '''''Title''''' if known. The record types listed in [[Select Records to Search#Sources Useful to Genealogists|Sources Useful to Genealogists]] are mostly the same as the headings used in the Place Search of the catalog.

=== '''Other Internet Sites''' ===

Many catalogs are available on the Internet. Many public and some academic libraries belong to the public and some academic libraries belong to the [http://www.worldcat.org/advancedsearch '''WorldCat''']. This catalog will show each library with a particular record, and how far that library is from your zip code.  

[http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/RG/frameset_rhelps.asp?Page=./research/type/Research_Outline.asp&ActiveTab=Type Research outlines] for specific countries may help you identify other catalogs for major libraries. Check the most recent versions of catalogs, as libraries are continually adding to their collections.  

*Pennsylvania, Philadelphia – Archives and Libraries

'''Handbooks and Instructional Materials'''  

Major bibliographies, some publisher catalogs, and many instructional handbooks are also at most research libraries, and many public libraries.  

== '''Selection Criteria''' ==

'''''Location.''''' Is the record from the place where you believe the event occurred? Are there other local jurisdictions that may have similar records that you should search? Did the boundaries of a jurisdiction change while or after your ancestor lived there? Did you ancestor move to nearby jurisdictions? Select records from every jurisdiction where the family lived and consider nearby jurisdictions. Sometimes you will need to do an area search (see [[Obtain and Search the Records#Search Ranges|Search Ranges]]).

=== '''Record Access''' ===

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== '''Jurisdictions'''  ==

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[[Image:Jurisdictions Cascade.png|thumb|left|Researchers may find records at several jurisdiction levels: nation, state, county, township, and town.]]  

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Write a description of the records you selected on the research log. Write enough information so someone could readily locate the source and verify the information at a later time. See the example at [[Identify What You Know#Prepare a Research Log|Prepare a Research Log]].