Modules

 



Main Page

      Prerequisites

      Objectives

      Instructional Style

      Technical Requirements

I - Getting Started

      Home Sources

      Charts

      Recording Information

      Citing Resources

II - Using Online Resources

      Online Databases

      Search Engines

      Directories

III - Gathering Key Records

      Vital Records

      Federal Census Records

 IV - Exploring Further

      Probate Records

      Church Records

      Military Records

      Newspapers

      Module IV Activities

V - Sharing Information

      Discussion Lists

      Message Boards

      Software Programs

VI - Quiz


 
Links

 
Sampubco

Family History Library Catalog

Family History Ctr. Locator

State Libraries and Archives

NARA

Confederate Pension Records

MilitaryIndexes.com

DAR Lookup Service

DAR Record Request Form

Libweb

 
Tools

 
Home Sources Checklist

5-Generation Ancestor Chart

4-Generation Ancestor Chart

Family Group Sheet

Birth Date Calculator

Town to County Database


 



Exploring Further




MODULE OBJECTIVES

After successfully completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Find probate records for your ancestors.

  • Locate microfilms in the Family History Library Catalog containing records from churches in your localities of interest.
  • Order military records from the National Archives and Records Administration.

  • Contact state and local libraries in your areas of interest for genealogical information.




INTRODUCTION

As discussed in Module III, different localities began recording vital events at different times. Unfortunately, the vital records that genealogists often need to prove a date or a family relationship simply do not exist. However, a variety of alternative records can serve as substitutes for the information provided by birth, marriage, and death records.

For example, family bibles, church records, military records, and federal census records (1850 to 1930) can serve as substitutes for all three vital events. Birth information can be found on tombstones and Social Security (SS-5) applications. Key resources for death information include probate records, tombstones, and obituaries.



PROBATE RECORDS

Wills and other probate records are valuable resources for family history research. Among some of the earliest records available, these documents help establish family relationships and pinpoint dates of death. Wills are especially valuable as they often list the wife and all the couple's children by their given names. In the case of married daughters, they often provide the names of their husbands. Occasionally, they will list the names of grandchildren.


SAMPUBCO

One of the first places to look for wills is Sampubco. Currently this site provides copies of original wills for 19 states. However, it is continuously expanding its index. If you locate a will for your ancestor, you can order a copy for a nominal fee.

DEMONSTRATION         PRACTICE




FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG (FHLC)

After checking Sampubco, the next place to visit is the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC). Many states and counties have provided microfilms of original wills and probate records to the Family History Library.

As discussed in Module III, you can order any microfilms of interest for a small fee ($5.00 - $7.00) from your local Family History Center.

DEMONSTRATION         PRACTICE

To locate a Family History Center in your area, click here.




STATE LIBRARIES  &  STATE ARCHIVES

Many state libraries and archives maintain probate records and provide copies of the original documents for a nominal fee. In addition, many have extensive collections of other valuable genealogical records including vital records, church records, bible records, and newspaper collections.

For example, the
Connecticut State Library has a very large collection of genealogical materials, and for a fee of $15.00 for non-Connecticut residents ($5.00 for residents), the library will conduct a genealogical index search of it collections on a single ancestor's name.

Similarly, you can order copies of original wills and vital records from the New Jersey State Archives.

Click here for a list of state libraries and state archives in the U.S.




CHURCH RECORDS

Like probate records, church records often provide some of the earliest genealogical information available through baptismal records, marriage records, church membership information, and death records. To determine the religious affiliations of your ancestors, review the documents that you have gathered including obituaries, cemetery records, and marriage records. Look for the name of the minister, priest, or rabbi who conducted the wedding or funeral
for a family member.

FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG (FHLC)

If you know your ancestor's religious affiliation, search the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to locate microfilms of original church records.

DEMONSTRATION         PRACTICE




MILITARY RECORDS


NATIONAL ARCHIVES & RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in Washington, DC
has military records beginning with the Revolutionary War. Essentially, two types of military records are of interest to genealogists: service records and pension application records.

Service records provide very little genealogical information. They are used primarily to prove military service. They provide information on rank, military unit, dates of service, and discharge. The National Archives maintains service records pertaining to the Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783), post-Revolution (1784 - 1811), the War of 1812 (1812 - 1815), the Mexican War (1845 - 1848), the Civil War (1861 - 1865), and the Spanish-American War (1898).

Pension application records are the most valuable military records for family history information. The National Archives has pension files for veterans and widows from the Revolutionary War, Mexican War, Indian Wars, and Civil War (Union only). Confederate pension files are maintained by the eleven former Confederate states and Kentucky, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

Because persons applying for military pensions had to prove their service, these records contain valuable genealogical information such as vital statistics, family relationships, marriage information, and children's names.

You can order copies of military service records and pension application files online with a credit card. However, if you prefer to order through the mail with a check or money order, you must first order the appropriate forms. For pension application records, order NATF Form 85. For military service records, order NATF Form 86. Because each request must be completed on an original form, be sure to order a couple of forms (limit 5) for each type of record.

DEMONSTRATION         PRACTICE

The charge for military service records is $ 25.00. To order a complete pre-Civil War pension file, the charge is $ 50.00. For complete Civil War pension files (Union only), the fee is $ 75.00.

If your ancestor was a Confederate soldier, you can order the military service records from NARA. However, NARA does NOT have pension files for service in the Confederate Army. For information on obtaining pension files for Confederate soldiers, click here.

In addition to the military records at NARA, some state libraries & archives maintain military records.




MILITARYINDEXES.COM

Like DeathIndexes.com in Module III, MilitaryIndexes.com links to dozens of free and fee-based searchable databases for military records from the Revolutionary War up through the Vietnam War. For example, you can search and view the Florida World War I Service Cards for men and women who either resided in Florida or who entered service in the state of Florida.

DEMONSTRATION         PRACTICE




DAR LOOKUP SERVICE

If you have identified an ancestor living in the United States at the time of the American Revolution, you can use the free Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) lookup service to determine if the DAR recognizes your ancestor as a Revolutionary Patriot.

If the DAR confirms your ancestor as a Revolutionary Patriot, click here to download the form for ordering a copy of the most recent DAR application on file for your patriot ancestor.




INDEX TO REVOLUTIONARY WAR SERVICE RECORDS

If the DAR is unable to confirm your ancestor as a Revolutionary Patriot, it simply means that no one has filed a DAR application claiming descent from your ancestor. Your ancestor may have served in some capacity in the Revolutionary War.

To confirm your ancestor's Revolutionary service, you can either complete NATF Form 86 to request your ancestor's service record from NARA or visit your local Family History Center. For a nominal fee ($5.00 - $7.00), you can order the "General Index to Compiled Military Service Records of Revolutionary War Soldiers" from the Family History Library. This alphabetical index includes soldiers, sailors, members of Army staff departments, and civilian employees of the Army and Navy (e.g., teamsters, carpenters, cooks, etc.). For each soldier or civilian, the index gives the name, rank, unit, and profession or office.

The table below lists the 58 microfilms in this series. Order the film number that corresponds to your ancestor's surname.

Name Film #       Name Film #
A - Ange 882841       Kinley - Langden 882870
Angi - Ballan 882842       Langdon - Lillie 882871
Ballar - Bearne 882843       Lillin - Lyon 882872
Bearnh - Biso 882844       Lyone - Matthews 882873
Biss - Box 882845       Matthewson - McGinta 882874
Boy - Brown, Joh 882846       McGinte - Merrill 882875
Brown, John - Bur 882847       Merrills - Moore 882876
Bus - Cartel 882848       Mooree - Nc 882877
Carter - Chp 882849       Ne - Olk 882878
Chr - Cold 882850       Oll - Pato 882879
Cole - Corm 882851       Patr - Ph 882880
Corn - Cul 882852       Pi - Pri 882881
Cum - Cy 882853       Pro - Q 882882
D - Delone 882854       R - Richard 882883
Deloney - Dougg 882855       Richards - Rolend 882884
Dough - Eccles 882856       Rolens - Sanders 882885
Ecclest - Fargei 882857       Sanderso - Shanna 882886
Farger - Fond 882858       Shanne - Sits 882887
Fonda - Fyk 882859       Sitsl - Souse 882888
Fyl - Glascoe 882860       Sousl - Steward 882889
Glascoe - Grego 882861       Stewart - Swil 882890
Gregr - Hamle 882862       Swim - Thorn 882891
Hamli - Hawkin 882863       Thoro - Tur 882892
Hawkis - Hilk 882864       Tus - Voe 882893
Hill - Hop 882865       Vog - Wats 882894
Hor - Hur 882866       Watt - White, F. 882895
Hus - Johnson, N. 882867       White, G. - Willsi 882896
Johnson, O. - Jw 882868       Willso - Wright, J. 882897
K - Kinler 882869       Wright, L. - Z 882898



NEWSPAPERS

Newspapers often contain valuable genealogical information including marriage notices, obituaries,
and news items. Many state libraries and archives allow patrons to review microfilmed copies of newspapers at the library's facilities. In addition, some libraries lend the microfilm to individuals outside the area through interlibrary loan. Contact the state library or archive in your state of interest for more information.




LIBWEB

Another option for locating newspapers is to contact the local public library in your research area. Many public libraries maintain microfilmed copies of local newspapers. If you know the exact date of your ancestor's death or marriage, a librarian may be willing to research your article and print a copy for you for a nominal fee. Libweb provides links to local library Web sites throughout the U.S.

DEMONSTRATION         PRACTICE




MODULE IV ACTIVITIES

  1. Search Sampubco for wills if your ancestors lived in any of the following states: AL, GA, ID, IA, KS, MD, MA, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, VA, WI.

  2. Search the Family History Library Catalog for microfilms of probate records for your ancestors. Most probate records are located at the county level. However, some microfilms may be categorized at the state level (e.g., Connecticut).

  3. Search the Family History Library Catalog for microfilms of church records that may pertain to your ancestors. Church records provide valuable documentation of baptisms, marriages, and deaths. Look for church records at the county and town levels. To determine the county in which a town is located, use the Town to County Database.

  4. Visit your local Family History Center and order the microfilms.

  5. Explore the Web sites of state libraries and archives for the states where your ancestors resided. Become familiar with the genealogical resources and services available there.

  6. Order several copies of NATF Form 85 and NATF Form 86 from the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA). Use these forms to order military pension records (Form 85) and service records (Form 86) for your ancestors. NARA has pension records for veterans and widows from the Revolutionary War, Mexican War, Indian Wars, and Civil War (Union only). NARA maintains service records for soldiers who served in the Revolutionary War, post-Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War.

  7. If you find an ancestor who was born prior to 1765 and who was alive after 1775, send a request to the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Lookup Service to find out whether the ancestor is in the DAR Patriot Index.

  8. If the ancestor is found in the Index, complete the form to request a copy of the DAR application for that ancestor.

  9. If the ancestor is not found, order the appropriate Family History Library Catalog microfilm from the "General Index to Compiled Military Service Records of Revolutionary War Soldiers" series. (See table above for microfilm numbers.)

  10. Search the Libweb Web site to find the local public libraries in your ancestral counties and towns. If you know the death date and location for an ancestor, contact the library and request an obituary.

  11. Update your Ancestor Charts and Family Group Sheets.


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Copyright © 2004 - 2008 by Debbie Duay, Ph.D., Fort Lauderdale, FL. All Rights Reserved.