One of the best ways to locate your ancestors and get information on their family history is to utilize U.S. Census Records for Genealogical Research. Using these records will not only help you to determine their birth date and location, but it can also help you to verify their ancestry, their property value, and if they served in the military. Here are some tips for using these records to help you.
Locate Your Ancestor’s Military Records
Military records can provide a wealth of information about your ancestors. They can include vital record data, such as age and physical description, and family information, such as next of kin and marriage records. If your ancestor served in the military, he might have even been buried in a military cemetery.
While the federal government keeps most military records, some are held by the state. Check with your local historical society for more information. Many have experienced researchers who are willing to help you with your research.
Knowing the name of your ancestor’s regiment can teach you more about his military service.
You can also look for the names of your ancestors in online discussion lists, association memberships, and regimental rosters. These documents often give you an idea of how your ancestor was involved in a particular battle.
Another way to get more information is to visit a war memorial. These memorials are found all over the world. Most of them list fallen soldiers and entire battalions.
It is best to learn advanced search methods, which can produce much more information. For example, you can narrow your search by using the variant name feature. Or, you can interview your ancestors by telephone or email. This is especially helpful if you know their home address, which can be obtained through city directories.
Prove Your Ancestor’s Birth Date or Place
A great way to prove your ancestor’s birth date or place is to get a copy of their birth certificate. If you don’t have one, you can still find out the ancestor’s age by looking for other records that can be used as a substitute.
One of the best sources for a birth date is the census. The census may also prove the ancestor’s age. Some U.S. census records online will tell you the month and year of your ancestor’s birth. However, it would help if you also looked at other sources, such as voter registration.
Another good source is school records. The school may have kept a record of the ancestor’s birth date. You can also look for other records, such as wills or affidavits signed by relatives.
Other sources include the cemetery. Large cemeteries might have their own office, while smaller ones might be managed by the town where the cemetery is located.
Finally, you can look at the newspaper to see if it mentions the ancestor’s birth date. Sometimes, a gravestone is the only record of your ancestor’s existence. But some gravestones need to be readable.
Also, check out the ancestor’s name on a family tree. Often, a family tree can contain detailed information about your ancestor.
Despite its difficulties, there are ways to prove the date and place of your ancestor’s birth. These are the most important factors in tracing your family history.
Locate Your Ancestor’s Property Worth
If you are interested in tracing your family’s history, you may have discovered that census records provide unique information about your ancestors. These records can tell you where they lived, whether they had land, and who their neighbors were.
While census records can be tricky to locate, there are ways to find them. First, you can look for an address. This will make it easier to browse the pages of the census.
Next, you can search for an E.D. number. An E.D. number is a number that identifies a specific enumeration district. You can generate your E.D. number online. Once you have your E.D. number, you can browse the census.
For example, research the home of your ancestor in the 1880s. You can use a census schedule to learn whether the individual owned or rented land. Also, you can learn more about their age, marital status, and race.
If you can find an E.D. number, you can also use it to locate your ancestor’s address. If you cannot find an E.D. number, try searching by address.
In addition, you can find a variety of land records that place ancestors in a particular area. These records can identify the people who owned the land and help you place your ancestors in their appropriate time and place.
You can also request copies of their marriage and birth certificates to learn more about your ancestors.
Some of your ancestors might have lived in the same neighborhood, while others may have moved around in search of land or opportunity. By looking at the economic and social status of your ancestors’ neighbors, you can determine whether they were relatives.
