Utah Research Tips and Strategies

Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Utah

These tips will help you as your research your ancestors in Utah.

Birth information: Statewide registration of births began in 1905 in Utah and was generally complied with by 1917. The best substitute record for locating birth information is death records (the majority of death records will list the date of birth of the decedent, and since death certificates are considered a primary resource, they can provide you with the same documentation as a birth certificate). Or, try these other substitute records.
Finding Parents: The earliest Utah statewide death recording began in 1897, with Salt Lake City recording deaths as early as 1848. Statewide registration didn't begin until 1905, and was generally complied with by 1919. They often will list the parents of the deceased and their birth information. Search Utah death records
Look in all censuses: Always look for your ancestor in every possible census. There are clues regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records. Sometimes parents can be found living with their children later in life. Search U.S. Censuses.