Blog Archives

Check Out the New Birth, Marriage, and Death Records Page (BMD Links)

1/31/2018

This past month I have been researching and collecting links to FREE birth, marriage, and death record databases and collections. The result is the brand new BMD Links Page on The Ancestor Hunt. Listed by state - there are over 920 links to BMD record databases from the U.S. (Canada is in process) that can be searched in order to find these important genealogical research records. There are about 1 billion records in these lists of BMD records.

The link is on the Main Toolbar above or you can click on
http://www.theancestorhunt.com/bmd-links.html to get there.

Good luck finding BMD information about your ancestors!

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FamilySearch New and Updated Collections - January 1-31, 2018

1/31/2018

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Source: familysearch.org

FamilySearch continues to add or update their records collections at a fast pace for us to search.

For the period of January 1- 31, 2018, the added/updated collections are:

For a complete list of all added/updated collections, go to

https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list

I hope that some of these are what you have been waiting for!

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Find Birth, Marriage, and Death Records from U.S. Western States

1/29/2018

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Source: thempfa.org

One of the main goals for genealogists is finding birth, marriage, and death (BMD) information about their ancestors.

Over the past few decades, thanks to volunteers, librarians and archivists (as well as the largest of them all - FamilySearch), a great number of indexes to birth, marriage, and death collections have been provided for free online. These searchable indexes provide specific BMD information, and often scanned images of the actual birth, marriage, and death certificates themselves. These free online collections have hundreds of millions of records in them in total.

There are a great number of online and offline collections that may include birth, marriage, and death information that are not included in the lists below. For example, newspapers, draft registration files, naturalization records, etc. have BMD info. To find out which types of other records may include BMD information, please see:

The lists below are specific birth, marriage, and death indexes and record collections that are available for free online:

General U.S.

Alaska

Arizona

California

Colorado

Hawaii

Idaho

Montana

Nevada

New Mexico

Oregon

Utah

Washington

Wyoming

Happy Hunting!

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Find Birth, Marriage, and Death Records from U.S. Mid-West States

1/28/2018

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Source: freeworldmaps.net

The lists below are specific birth, marriage, and death indexes and record collections that are available for free online:

General U.S.

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Nebraska

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

South Dakota

Wisconsin

Happy Hunting!

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Find Birth, Marriage, and Death Records from U.S. Mid-Atlantic States

1/27/2018

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Source: Maps Etc (https://etc.usf.edu/maps)

The lists below are specific birth, marriage, and death indexes and record collections that are available for free online:

General U.S.

Delaware

District of Columbia

Maryland

New Jersey

New York

Pennsylvania

Virginia

West Virginia

Happy Hunting!

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Find Birth, Marriage, and Death Records from U.S. New England States

1/26/2018

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The lists below are specific birth, marriage, and death indexes and record collections that are available for free online:

General U.S.

Connecticut

Maine

Massachusetts

New Hampshire

Rhode Island

Vermont

Happy Hunting!

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Find Birth, Marriage, and Death Records from U.S. Southern States

1/25/2018

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Source: thempfa.org

The lists below are specific birth, marriage, and death indexes and record collections that are available for free online:

General U.S.

Alabama

Arkansas

Florida

Georgia

Kentucky

Louisiana

Mississippi

Missouri

North Carolina

Oklahoma

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Virginia

West Virginia

Happy Hunting!

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22 Ways to Find Ancestors Marriage Information

1/21/2018

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Source: vitalchek.com

When researching our ancestors, one of the most important events is their marriage - in some cases there are none, or just one, and I have some who had six. Determining the date and location of marriage is important as we document major events in their lives.

Most of these should not stand alone as evidence of the date and location of an ancestor's' marriage(s) - so you might want to check many of these sources to provide corroborating evidence. Also, some of these only indicate that the person was married and may include the spouse's married name, but does not include the date or location of marriage. But at least knowing that they indeed were married (and to whom) may provide clues for further research.

And after this list please check out the 231 different free databases from FamilySearch that you can research to find Marriage information

Source Type List of 22 ways to find clues and evidence about your ancestors' marriage:

Marriage Indexes - whether online or in a book at a library/archive - these provide dates and the location of marriage. But since they are indexes that are most likely entered from marriage certificates, you always have to keep in mind that transcription and typing errors can occur.
Marriage Certificates - this is the best document for establishing date and location of the marriage. Usually they are completed and signed by the person performing the ceremony.
Marriage Licenses - these are tricky because they do not evidence that a wedding actually occurred - so further research is required to ascertain that fact. Please notice that on many licenses it indicates the number of previous marriages for the individual. On several occasions I have found that ancestors had previously been married, which was a total surprise to me.
Cemetery Records - although dates and location of marriage are not included - many times husband and wife are buried next to each other, so if you did not know a person was married - look at the person next to them - if they are the same name they might have been married to that person, so at least you can get more clues. This may seem obvious, but depending on how the naming was engraved - it may have been a son or brother. Also, interment cards and plot deeds may reference a married couple.
Draft Cards - the applicant enters a contact person and often parenthetically enters the word "wife." No marriage dates or locations but at least an indication that they were married, and the given name of his wife will be helpful for further research,
Naturalization Records - Exact marriage dates are included.
Military Records - For next of kin information, the spouse's name and contact information is included, if not the actual dates and location of marriage.
Pension Applications - military or not, evidence of marriage is required for beneficiary certification, so a copy of the marriage certificate is required.
Census Records - well you won't find anyone's marriage dates in census records. But that "M" or "S" will indicate if they are married or single. And even a "W" for widowed, or "D" for divorced will tell you if they were married. Often an "M1" or M2" will indicate whether they are on their first or second marriage. Questions such as "years married" or "age at first marriage" are helpful for tracking down marriage dates.
Immigration and Travel Records - often the "Married or Single" question is included so at least their marital status is indicated..
Death Certificates - the marital status is included as well as the name of the surviving spouse, but not the date of marriage or how many years they were married.
Church Records - just as churches maintain birth and christening records, marriage records are also often available.
Personal Bibles - many families recorded marriage date information in the family Bible.
Marriage Licenses and Other Announcements in the Newspaper - marriage license announcements, as well as weddings and engagements abound in newspapers. Tons of marriage related information can be found in newspapers, in the vitals section, society pages, women's sections as well as the local interest sections.
Passport Applications - the name of a married woman's husband is included for early 20th century passports. And sometimes, place and date of marriage is included.
Divorce Records - dates and locations of marriage are included in divorce records. Divorce indexes are usually not as detailed, as they often do not include the actual marriage date, but only the number of years married.
Wills and Probate Documents - although dates and location of marriages are not often included, at least the name of the spouse is available.
Dowry and Pre-nuptial Documents - the name of the spouse and often date and location of marriage is included. I have a dowry document from the 1800s that includes this information.
Cohabitation Registers - for marriages and children born to those in slavery.
Personal Collections - wedding invitations, wedding programs, and personal letters citing a family wedding.
Land Deeds - may identify spouse if both parties names are on the deed.
Court Records - may include spouses names, and possibly widow or widower's name.

Free FamilySearch Marriage Record Collections:

There are over 270 million marriage records available from FamilySearch from all over the world. This is a great place to start to find marriage information - and it's free!

What other documents have you researched that could be added to the list?

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21 Ways to Find Ancestors Death Information

1/19/2018

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When researching our ancestors, one of the most important events is obviously their death. Determining dates and location of death is important as we document the major events in their lives. Most folks limit their search to the obvious repositories, whether online or not.

That would include online or offline death indexes (such as the SSDI and State Death Indexes), death certificates, obituaries, and burial/cemetery records.

But there are many more ways to determine specifics about someone's death, as well as finding clues that help you narrow their death date to a decade, a year, or even less.

Most of these cannot stand alone as evidence of the actual date and location of an ancestor's' death - so you might want to check many of these sources to provide corroborating evidence.

And after this list please check out the 160 different free databases from FamilySearch that you can research to find death information

Source Type List of 21 ways to find clues and evidence about your ancestors' death:

SSDI - the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) is probably the most frequently researched collection of death information. Unfortunately there are many instances of errors and omissions evident in this collection. Often only the month of last benefit is entered rather than the death date. And the location is the location where benefits were received - not always the actual death location. The Social Security NUMIDENT Files from the U.S. National Archive are also quite useful.
State Death Indexes - whether online or in a book at a library - these provide dates and sometimes locations of death. But since they are indexes that are most likely entered from death certificates, you always have to keep in mind that transcription and typing errors can occur.
Death Records and Certificates - this is the best document for establishing date and location of death. Usually they are signed by an attending physician (at least in the last 100 years or so) who was there when the ancestor patient died. But other information on the certificate is only as good as the information known and memory of the informant, usually a family member.
Cemetery Records - there are lots of ways to find this information. There are several online sites that have information and photos of gravestones, where the date (or at least year) of death is inscribed. And you can visit individual cemeteries where records sometimes are made available. But again these are only as good as the information that the purchaser of the gravestone has provided. Mistakes can be made.
Mortuary Records - this is a resource that I have personally used. Often they are hard to get to, but they often provide a great deal of information regarding the decedent and his or her burial and funeral, including date of death. And some of the mortuary records have the obituary attached.
Coroner's Reports - although a coroner's report often states the date the deceased person was found, which may have been different than when he or she died - the reports are quite detailed and can provide quite useful information.
Probate, Wills and Estates - these legal documents will likely have the death information for your ancestor who has passed, as well as the legal proceedings and will information.
Military Records - the military is quite good in keeping lots of information regarding service members - so you should have lots of places where the death information is recorded, in the case of an ancestor who died while on active duty.
Pension Records - whether military or civilian, birth date and location may be included.
Immigration Records - in the oft chance where an ancestor died while immigrating, make sure that you check all the pages of a recorded voyage. Many times there are notes, should the immigrant have passed while in transit.
Obituaries, Obituary Indexes and Newspaper Death Notices - another very frequently used piece of information. But these are only as good as the memory of the person providing the information - as well as the person working at the newspaper and their skill and attention to detail. Many mistakes are made in obituaries.
Census Records - well you won't find anyone's death dates in a census record. But you might find some clues. Say Mr. Smith and his family showed up in the 1930 census. But in the 1940 census, the same family is there but he isn't. If he had died, likely Mrs. Smith would be denoted with a "W" or Wd" in the Marital Status column indicating that she was a widow. This would most likely mean that Mr. Smith had died sometime between 1930 and the next census. So you could then perform further research centering on his demise for the decade between 1930 and 1940. Now if Mrs. Smith and Mr. Smith had divorced in that same decade and then she married a NEW Mr. Smith who then died, then the original Mr. Smith might still be around. One could come up with all kinds of interesting scenarios - but generally the first case that I mentioned would hold true. Remember to search the Census Mortality schedules if available.
City Directories - you won't find death dates in City Directories either, but if Mr. Smith showed up in a 1922 City Directory with his wife's name in parentheses, e.g. "(Polly)" and then the 1923 City Directory has no Mr. Smith and a Polly Smith (widow) at the same address, then you might conclude that Mr. Smith died in 1922 or 1923 - again providing a narrower next area of research for you to perform.
Church Newsletters - I have found ancestor death dates in newsletters for the Church that they attended. So for more recent deaths for churches that write and distribute newsletters - this is a source of death date clues. You might want to keep track of what churches, synagogues, etc. that your ancestors worshipped.
Personal Bibles - many families recorded birth and death date information in the family Bible.
Land Records - sales of land or transfers of ownership from the deceased to the living spouse can sometimes give you an estimated death date, from which you might be able to ascertain exact information from other records.
Family Histories and Biographies - many times the deceased and/or family may donate family records and possibly biographies to the local library. Finding these can be a gold mine.
Newspaper Legal Notices - about the estate, disposition of the estate, etc.
Alumni Directories and Newsletters - for both high school and college graduates may contain a notice about the death of a former student.
Private Death Records - includes insurance papers, medical records, etc.
Newspaper Local Interest Articles - in smaller, local newspapers, often the goings on from residents and guests were recorded. If someone traveled to or from the town to attend a funeral, often the deceased's name was mentioned. From the date of the article, one might have a clue as to the death date and location of the deceased.

Obituaries and Obituary Indexes:

For online Obituary Indexes, transcriptions, and other death/obituary information from historic newspapers, please check out the Obituaries! Page on this website.

Free FamilySearch Death Record Collections:

There are over 335 million death records available from FamilySearch from all over the world. This is a great place to start to find death information - and it's free!

I imagine that there may be some other sources of death information. What are they?

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27 Ways to Find Ancestor Birth Information

1/17/2018

9 Comments

Source: freeprintablecertificates.net

When researching our ancestors, one of the most important events is obviously their birth (otherwise they wouldn't be ancestors - but I digress). Determining the date and location of birth is important as we document the major events in their lives.

Most folks limit their search to the obvious repositories, whether online or not. But there are many ways to determine specifics about someone's birth, as well as finding clues that help you narrow their birth date to at least a single year or two.

Most of these listed source types should not stand alone as evidence of the actual date and location of an ancestor's' birth - so you might want to check many of these sources to provide corroborating evidence.

And after this list please check out the 124 different free databases from FamilySearch that you can research to find birth information

Source Type List of 27 ways to find clues and evidence about your ancestors' birth:

State Birth and Death Indexes - whether online or in a book at a library/archive - these provide dates and sometimes the location of birth. But since they are indexes that are most likely entered from birth certificates, hospital reports, or death indexes, you always have to keep in mind that transcription and typing errors can occur.
Birth Certificates - this is the best document for establishing date and location of birth. Usually they are signed by an attending physician who was there when the baby was born. At least for those in the last several decades.
Cemetery Records - there are lots of ways to find this information. There are several online sites that have information and photos of gravestones, where the date of birth (often only the year) is inscribed. And you can visit individual cemeteries where records sometimes are made available. But again these are only as good as the information that the purchaser of the gravestone has provided. Mistakes can be made.
Draft Cards - the applicant must enter their exact birth date.
Naturalization and Citizenship Records - Exact birth dates are included.
Military Records - the military is quite good at keeping lots of information regarding service members - so you should have lots of places where the birth information is recorded, especially in enlistment papers.
Social Security Applications - the birth date is always requested in the SS-5 application.
Birth Announcements in Newspapers - often the older ones in the Vitals section say "To the wife of John Smith, a son, in Marysville on Wednesday" or something like that. You can calculate based on the date of the newspaper the exact birth date. And you will have to perform some analysis to tie that to a child in the family. This is not always easy when there are 7 or 8 children and you only have dates for some. There are also birth announcements in the local news and society page sections.
Census Records - well you won't find anyone's birth dates in most census records (except you can get the birth month and year in the 1900 U.S. Census). But you do get the age stated and that could lead you to a possible birth year within 1, 2, or 3 years.
Immigration Records - although the exact birth date is not often included - the age is, so simple math, similar to census records, can get you within a year or so for the birth year.
Travel Records - although these are sometimes called immigration records - many in the 1900s indeed do have the actual birth date of the traveler.
Death Certificates - often the date of birth is included in the death certificate, if not the actual date but at least the age at the person's passing so the year can be calculated. But again - the information is only as good as the memory of the informant.
Church Records - baptism and christening records and similar records for other faiths may include birth dates or the date of the event, from which you might be able to calculate the birth date. You might want to keep track of what churches, synagogues, etc. that your ancestors and their families worshiped. And then try to find their early life church event records.
Personal Bibles - many families recorded birth and death date information in the family Bible.
Marriage Licenses and Announcements - usually the age of the applicant is listed in the newspaper and on the license itself, so again simple math can lead you to the birth year.
Funeral and Memorial Records/Books - often the deceased's birth date is included in the memorial cards or books. And also the records from the funeral home.
Passport Applications - the date of birth is included in many variations of applications for passports.
Social Security Death Index (SSDI) - the date of birth is included in the SSDI.
Great Registers - used for voting primarily in the 1800s, the age of the voter is included - so you will have to use your math and subtraction skills to ascertain the approximate birth year.
Employment and Union Records - hard to find but may include date of birth
Newsletters and Minutes - organizations, clubs, churches, and other types of organizations often publish or recognize birthdays for members, which sometimes may include the year of birth as well.
School Records - enrollment records
Employment Records - job applications and other employment files
Membership Organizations - unions, fraternities/sororities, lodges, clubs, etc.
Divorce Records - at least the age is included if not the birth info
Wills and Estate Files - age and possibly birth information is included. Probate court documents may provide fruitful.
Pension Records - whether military or civilian, birth date and location may be included.

Basically - any document that contains the age of the person, and is dated - can lead you to the year of the person's birth; and depending on who completed the document, the evidence can be quite good, or sometimes misleading.

Free FamilySearch Birth Record Collections:

There are over 375 million birth records available from FamilySearch from all over the world. This is a great place to start to find birth information - and it's free!

Are there other specific source types that I have missed that have the exact birth date or age information? Please include these in the comments!

Check Out the New Birth, Marriage, and Death Records Page (BMD Links)

FamilySearch New and Updated Collections - January 1-31, 2018

Find Birth, Marriage, and Death Records from U.S. Western States

Find Birth, Marriage, and Death Records from U.S. Mid-West States

Find Birth, Marriage, and Death Records from U.S. Mid-Atlantic States

Find Birth, Marriage, and Death Records from U.S. New England States

Find Birth, Marriage, and Death Records from U.S. Southern States

22 Ways to Find Ancestors Marriage Information

21 Ways to Find Ancestors Death Information

27 Ways to Find Ancestor Birth Information

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