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How to Find Descendants in the United States (view source)
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Someone else may have already started gathering information about the family you have selected. Your extended family members may have this information, or you may be able to find it in published family histories or on the Internet. | Someone else may have already started gathering information about the family you have selected. Your extended family members may have this information, or you may be able to find it in published family histories or on the Internet. | ||
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| valign="middle" | | valign="middle" bgcolor="#ffff99" align="left" | '''Expert Tip:''' Many family histories can be accessed on the Internet. You can also request them at your local library through an interlibrary loan system, or they can be sent to a family history center. The following are great places to start your search for family histories: | ||
*[ | *[https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog&catSearchType=surname Family History Library Catalog Surname Search] | ||
*[http://www.lib.byu.edu/fhc/ BYU Family History Archives Online] | *[http://www.lib.byu.edu/fhc/ BYU Family History Archives Online] | ||
*[http://worldcat.org/ WorldCat (WorldCatalog) Search] | *[http://worldcat.org/ WorldCat (WorldCatalog) Search] | ||
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'''Finding family records.''' Contact family members for information. They may have access to family Bibles, photographs, letters, and personal histories, or they may know where you can go to find these records. | '''Finding family records.''' Contact family members for information. They may have access to family Bibles, photographs, letters, and personal histories, or they may know where you can go to find these records. | ||
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| valign="middle" | | valign="middle" bgcolor="#ffff99" align="left" | '''Expert Tip:''' Your search may result in several sources of information about an ancestor. These records may not be accurate or complete, but they will give you a starting point.<br> | ||
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You may find family histories in libraries in the area where your ancestors lived. The Library of Congress and the Family History Library also have extensive collections of published family histories.'''''<br>'''''<br>'''Finding Internet information compiled by others.''' Internet genealogical databases are another possible source. Someone may have already posted information on the family you are seeking. A quick search of web sites may yield complete and well-documented research that only requires verification. You may even discover family members with whom you can collaborate. | You may find family histories in libraries in the area where your ancestors lived. The Library of Congress and the Family History Library also have extensive collections of published family histories.'''''<br>'''''<br>'''Finding Internet information compiled by others.''' Internet genealogical databases are another possible source. Someone may have already posted information on the family you are seeking. A quick search of web sites may yield complete and well-documented research that only requires verification. You may even discover family members with whom you can collaborate. | ||
A good place to start your search for family information that has been compiled by others is [ | A good place to start your search for family information that has been compiled by others is [https://www.familysearch.org/ www.familysearch.org]. This site has several compiled databases that may help you find information, including the Ancestral File, the Pedigree Resource File, and the International Genealogical Index (IGI). Web sites such as [http://usgenweb.org/ GenWeb] and [http://wc.rootsweb.com Rootsweb] have collections of genealogies. You may want to post on genealogy boards the names and timeframe you are searching for, in order to get in touch with others who are looking for the same people. [http://boards.ancestry.com Ancestry] has both genealogy collections and a board for posting notes. | ||
'''Internet search engines.''' Search engines, such as [http://www.google.com/ Google] or [http://www.yahoo.com/ Yahoo], help you learn if someone has posted information on the Internet about your ancestors or their descendants. Search engines may help you find pedigree charts, family Web sites, cemetery records, personal histories, family Bibles, and so forth.<br> | '''Internet search engines.''' Search engines, such as [http://www.google.com/ Google] or [http://www.yahoo.com/ Yahoo], help you learn if someone has posted information on the Internet about your ancestors or their descendants. Search engines may help you find pedigree charts, family Web sites, cemetery records, personal histories, family Bibles, and so forth.<br> | ||
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| valign="middle" | | valign="middle" bgcolor="#ffff99" align="left" | '''Expert Tip:''' You may find many references to your ancestor in a search engine, especially if he or she has a common name. The following search strategies can help to narrow your search: | ||
*To search for an exact phrase or name, put quotation marks around your search terms. For example, search on "John K. Doe" (typing the quotation marks into the search box). Also try putting the surname first and the given name second—“Doe, John K.” | *To search for an exact phrase or name, put quotation marks around your search terms. For example, search on "John K. Doe" (typing the quotation marks into the search box). Also try putting the surname first and the given name second—“Doe, John K.” | ||
*You many also want to try the name without middle initials. | *You many also want to try the name without middle initials. | ||
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'''Quick Reference Chart 1 – Where to Look for Previous Research''' | '''Quick Reference Chart 1 – Where to Look for Previous Research''' | ||
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'''Internet Resource''' | '''Internet Resource''' | ||
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'''Contents''' | '''Contents''' | ||
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'''Access''' | '''Access''' | ||
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'''Instructions''' | '''Instructions''' | ||
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Published Family Histories | Published Family Histories | ||
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The Family History Library Catalog has an index of published family histories. | The Family History Library Catalog has an index of published family histories. | ||
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Click '''[ | Click '''[https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog&catSearchType=surname here]''' to use the '''Surname Search''' of the Family History Library Catalog | ||
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Enter the family name in the search box; then check the search results. If the book has been microfilmed, you can order a copy of it through your local family history center. For common surnames, choose '''Keyword Search''' in the Family History Library Catalog and add an additional surname or the name of the location where the family lived to narrow the search. | Enter the family name in the search box; then check the search results. If the book has been microfilmed, you can order a copy of it through your local family history center. For common surnames, choose '''Keyword Search''' in the Family History Library Catalog and add an additional surname or the name of the location where the family lived to narrow the search. | ||
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Compiled Family Genealogies | Compiled Family Genealogies | ||
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Use the Pedigree Resource File (PRF) to see if someone has already identified some or all of the children in the family you are researching. | Use the Pedigree Resource File (PRF) to see if someone has already identified some or all of the children in the family you are researching. | ||
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Click '''[ | Click '''[https://www.familysearch.org/#form=trees here]''' to search the '''''Pedigree Resource File''''' | ||
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Enter the family name and fill in other boxes you might have information for; then click '''Search'''. There may be multiple results. Look for records that include spouse and children. Remember that records in the Pedigree Resource File may not always be accurate or complete. Use them as a starting point. | Enter the family name and fill in other boxes you might have information for; then click '''Search'''. There may be multiple results. Look for records that include spouse and children. Remember that records in the Pedigree Resource File may not always be accurate or complete. Use them as a starting point. | ||
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Internet Search Engines | Internet Search Engines | ||
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A search engine may help you find documents anywhere on the Internet that mention the search name you entered. This search often leads to descendant data. | A search engine may help you find documents anywhere on the Internet that mention the search name you entered. This search often leads to descendant data. | ||
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Click [http://www.google.com/ '''here '''] to use the '''Google''' search engine, or click '''[http://www.yahoo.com here]''' to use '''Yahoo'''<br> | Click [http://www.google.com/ '''here '''] to use the '''Google''' search engine, or click '''[http://www.yahoo.com here]''' to use '''Yahoo'''<br> | ||
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Type in the information in the search box; then click '''Search'''. Click on the links that seem to contain relevant information. Narrow the search by placing quotation marks around the first and last name—“John K. Doe.” Try putting the surname first—“Doe, John K.” If you do not get any relevant results, try searching without the middle initial or middle name. If you get too many results, try adding a place name or a date. | Type in the information in the search box; then click '''Search'''. Click on the links that seem to contain relevant information. Narrow the search by placing quotation marks around the first and last name—“John K. Doe.” Try putting the surname first—“Doe, John K.” If you do not get any relevant results, try searching without the middle initial or middle name. If you get too many results, try adding a place name or a date. | ||
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<div class="Section3"> | <div class="Section3"> | ||
'''Broadening your search.''' A quick review of published family histories, compiled genealogies, and resources on the Internet will tell you how much research may still be needed. For information on how to do basic research, go to [[How to Begin a Search for Your Ancestor|How to Begin a Search for Your Ancestor]].<br> | '''Broadening your search.''' A quick review of published family histories, compiled genealogies, and resources on the Internet will tell you how much research may still be needed. For information on how to do basic research, go to [[How to Begin a Search for Your Ancestor|How to Begin a Search for Your Ancestor]].<br> | ||
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=== '''''Step 4: Consult Additional Sources''''' === | === '''''Step 4: Consult Additional Sources''''' === | ||
<div class="Section3"> | <div class="Section3"> | ||