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District of Columbia Research Tips and Strategies

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Purpose of Research Tips and Strategies Wiki Page

The District of Columbia Research Tips and Strategies page consists of links to specific research strategies for the District of Columbia. It also contains general tips and other resources for finding your ancestors in this locality.

District of Columbia Research Strategies

Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in District of Columbia:

Finding District of Columbia Birth, Marriage or Death Records

District of Columbia Records

District of Columbia Statewide Databases

District of Columbia Research Process

District of Columbia Research Tips

These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in District of Columbia:

Research Before 1800

  • For ancestors that lived in the area prior to 1800, search records in Maryland and Virginia


Birth and Death information:

  • Statewide registration: The state began registering births and deaths in 1908, with full compliance by 1927.
  • County registration: Counties were required to record birth and death records in 1881 until the state board took over in 1908, although registration was inconsistent.
  • Access to records: See District of Columbia Vital Records for more information about birth, marriages, and deaths in District of Columbia.


Substitute Records:

  • Secondary source: Substitute records are used when primary sources do not exist for an event, such as birth, marriage, and deaths. Secondary sources list information about the event but they were not recorded at the time of the event and they are not an official record of the event.
  • Accuracy: Because the information about an event in substitute records was not the official recording of the event (such as, cemetery or obituary records) inaccuracy may occur. Use other substitute records to help varify information.
  • List of substitute records: See District of Columbia Substitute Records for more information.


Finding Parents:

  • Death records: Death records created by the county starting in 1881 may contain parents of the deceased. However, starting in 1908, the state recorded deaths that required birth and parent information. Information was not always provided and the accuracy of the information was limited by the grieving relatives' memory.
  • Obituaries: Official obituaries can also include the names of parents and other family members. See District of Columbia Newspapers and District of Columbia Obituaries for more information.
  • Church records: Knowing the denomination of the church the family belonged to helps in locating information about the parents. See District of Columbia Church Records for more information.


Census Records:

  • Check all census years: Always look for your ancestor in every possible census to learn more about them and their family members. See District of Columbia Census Records for more information.
  • Clues to other records: There are clues in censuses regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records.
  • Finding families: Starting in 1850, all members of the household were listed in the census. By 1880, relationship to the head of household was added.

Further District of Columbia Research

  • Sharon Hodges." Resources for Locating District of Columbia Ancestors." NGS Magazine 41 # 2 (April-June 2015): 18-23. FS Library 973 D25ngs
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