Lesson 2: Public Records: Where to Locate Them
Public records can be difficult to find. When you find them, then what? How do you figure out the information they provide? Where should I start?
In this lesson, we will go through different public records, where to find them, and how to get the most information out of them.
Public Records, Where to find them and how to Interpret them
Public records can be a challenge to find. We’re going to start with the easiest public records to locate and progress from there.
The most widely available source for finding public records is the library. Almost every town in the United States has a library or one close by. Most libraries have a wide variety of public records available for use. Microfiche, old newspapers, and city histories can be found in most libraries. They also provide Internet services, which we will explore as a resource later.
Libraries also can help you join a genealogical society, which I highly recommend. These societies can save your hours of research. Genealogical societies have members that might be related to you somewhere in their own family lines, and they can give you information you might not be able to find anywhere else.
Newspapers can also be found at your public library. Newspapers contain useful information such as birth announcements and obituaries. Both of these announcements usually contain a wealth of information such as names of relatives, dates of birth, dates of death, places of birth and death, and surviving relatives.
City history books found in the library can give locations of hospitals that might no longer exist, as well as schools and other buildings that might have been torn down for various reasons.
City halls and the office of vital statistics found in various cities are also holding an abundance of information. You can find census records, military records, vital records and immigration naturalization records in either place.
State historical societies can also provide help. They have records and letters from quite a few people and who knows, maybe you have a famous relative you didn’t know about until you spoke with someone from your local state historical society!
Does your state have boating or trains as transportation? You could locate old passenger lists from them and see if any of your ancestors rode with those particular companies.
Museums also can be a place of great information. Schools have their own means of keeping records. Maybe you can look through some of their old yearbooks? An alumni list from the 1800’s? Have you checked any cemeteries? Searching cemeteries for names on headstones can help as well.
As you can see, there are many public places, some where you don’t even have to speak with anyone, to find information. Your search can lead you to many places without even leaving your hometown.
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