Planning A Genealogy Research Trip
Kathleen Brandt has over ten years of experience in genealogical research and is called on for nationwide documentation retrieval and research.
Learn More About This AuthorFavorite Genealogy Quote
Those who do not look upon themselves as a link, connecting the past with the future, do not perform their duty to the world.” - Daniel Webster
You have scoured bookshelves and archives at your local genealogy library, ordered periodicals and books through inter-library loans, and borrowed the Family History Library microfilms that hint to your ancestor's comings and goings. You've exhausted every online database, and have spent the wee hours of the night searching the internet for ancestral information. What's next? A genealogy trip. But, before packing forms, the laptop, and camera, you'll need to do your homework.
Planning
Randomly searching for ancestors on the internet can be fun, but spontaneity is not recommended when traveling for genealogy research. It is best to narrow your trip to researching one person or family unit and make a list of data needed to keep focused. Duplicate this list on both paper and your laptop since some research centers, like the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), don't allow stacks of papers. Others won't allow computers.
Prior to travel, verify access to documents and collections. Some repositories do not allow searches of originals, or the collection is not available due to preservation efforts. If court ledgers are in the process of being digitized, you may not be able to access them. Most repositories and archives post hours of operation and research policies on their websites. You will want to verify all of this information by email or telephone.
Whereas the NARA is open late Wednesday through Friday, many State Historical Archives are closed Mondays. Very few research facilities are open Sundays, making it the perfect day to visit cemeteries and churches. Church visits and chats with local historians may provide vital information on your ancestor. Although there are too many repositories to list, try narrowing your itinerary using US Gen Web search.
What to Bring
- An itinerary with your research goals
- List of places to visit with phone numbers, hours of operation, and directions
- Laptops and key-drives (or CDs) for memory and backups
- Pencils and erasers. The use of pens are often prohibited
- Notepads, preferably colored. Loose papers are not always allowed
- Family group sheets, charts and forms. Find examples here.
- Change for copy machines. Machines usually accept dimes, quarters or copy cards
- Cell phone and charger
- Camera with batteries and memory cards (or film)
Where to Go
Though there are thousands of valuable spots in the U.S. to learn more about your ancestors, here is a short list of some of my favorites:
If you are looking for military records from the Revolutionary War to the Philippine American War, why not travel to the NARA in Washington, D. C.? This is an ideal trip, if your family will be in tow and you wish to pair sightseeing with research. The D.C. NARA houses non-digitized files like full pension records, and compiled service records, and it holds other textual and microfilm records relating to genealogy, American Indians, the District of Columbia, the Federal courts, and Congress. For Information for Researchers at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. click here.
The largest library in the world, Library of Congress, also in D. C., is a treasure for genealogists. It holds over 50,000 genealogies along with maps, histories and newspapers. Guides and Bibliographies are published here.
While in DC, why not visit the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library? The DAR databases not only assist finding ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War, but since generations of descendants are documented in DAR applications, these databases may be helpful for genealogists who have hit a brick wall. You may be able to connect your family with one already on file. Information on the DAR Library may be found here.
Combining a D.C. trip with a day at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis or the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore should be considered if your ancestor was from that state. Prior to traveling, use abstracts and indices to lead you to the correct facility. Annapolis and Baltimore are within an hour of Washington, D.C. and are full of fun family activities.
If retracing your family's migratory path leads you to St. Louis, the gateway to the West, visit the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR) to research WWI and WWII records, medical records, and deceased veteran records from the 20th century. The Civilian Personnel Records Center (CPR) is also in St. Louis. Through these records, I traced a civilian doctor on an American Indian reservation in North Dakota. The personnel file held a photo of the doctor and the names of his Russian parents. The NPRC-MPR and CPR records are archived and must be ordered in advance online.
Visiting the town where your ancestor lived and walking on the same grounds may be the goal of your genealogy trip. While in the village of your ancestors, don't neglect the local libraries and college collections. Local libraries may have non-published genealogies or a local genealogical research section. Often they have the contact information for a local historian. College collections may also emphasize local history. One popular college collection for genealogists is the Lilly Library Friends Collection at Earlham College in Swarthmore, PA. which houses personal diaries and letters of Pennsylvania Quaker ancestors. More information on Lilly Library is located here.
If a county courthouse was destroyed by fire, as so many were, consider traveling to surrounding counties, but don't limit your search to courthouses and cemeteries. Plan a trip to state or local historical societies. These facilities are filled with archival records, periodicals, and research completed by local genealogists. The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), in Boston, is a favorite research trip destination and is listed as one library not to miss in 9 Genealogy Libraries to Visit Before You Die, by Lauren Gamber. NEHGS holds manuscripts dating back to the thirteenth century, bible records, diaries, and unpublished genealogies. Visit the NEHGS website for more information.
The Family History Library (FHL), the world's largest genealogy library, makes Salt Lake City, Utah, a popular destination for almost 2000 genealogists a day. Although most microfilms and fiche titles may be borrowed through a local Family History Center, there are additional resources only accessible at the Utah facility. Again, planning is vital, since many resources are "vault" films, and must be pulled from the archives. Be sure to read Preparing to Visit the Library" on the FHL website.
A Memorable Trip
You will want to make this trip memorable so consider keeping a trip journal. Copy everything you find (when will you be back?), and cite sources on every document. Take photos of tombstones, the old family home, church, and schoolhouse, and record the names of your contacts and new acquaintances.
Additional Resources
- Searching on Location: Planning a Research Trip, Ann Ross Balhuizen. c 1992. Ancestry
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How do I research my grandfather and other relatives that were born in Scotland?
How do I find out about my husband's family in Italy?
Can you give me hints on how to find a family member that doesn't seem to have a birth certificate or death certificate. Born in 1898 is on the 1930 US Census but I cant find any family history. She is my Grandmother and my father did not have any relationship with his family so I don't know anything about her. I was named after her and would like to find out more about her and her family.
You do not share your Grandmother's name on 1930 census. Consider variations of spelling, surnames are often misspelled due to census recorder. Jot down where she was residing, her birth and parents birth location. Try searching using all variables using one of the online databases on the 1920 census. Read this series and other genealogy blogs for more info.
Good luck.
KB
Assuming in America (USA), and you have traced the family to the time of their arrival (or close)., look for migration records using various spelleings of their surname. You will also want to check for naturalization or declaration of intent records close to their residences in the USA. This will get you closer to their hometown in Scotland.
I am looking for a correct birthdate and birthplace of my grandfather. I have found his marriage in 1905, census of 1910 shows he and family-BUT can find nothing of his birthplace or birthdate. I have searched two local county courthhouse records, the local library and websites with no luck.
I found my g-g-grandfather and mother in 1880 census, then him in 1920 and he died 1921 in Ohio and buried in Michigan. I can not locate my g-g-grandmother during this same time. I checked KY, OH, MI death records for Mollie Walker born 1844.
I would like a copy of the Census of 1880 of my Grandfather. Although I have not been able to trace him there on your site, it was verfied on ancestr., com. How
do I get a copy of these actual records.
To find the homeplace of your husband's family in Italy, trace the family back to the first immigrant. Check for naturalization records and ship records. Both may gvie you a hometown.
Your grandfather was born during an era where birth certificates were optional. When did he die? If after SS enacted, there will be birthdate on that, also on his death record. You may wish to compare it to his military draft records. He may have registered for WWI, even if he did not serve. When you narrow your ballpark, check for obituaries.
If your grandmother died between 1880 and 1920, there may not have been a state issued death certificate. You will need to start in 1880 census. In the county they they lived in you will need to check county death records. Do the same with the county of 1920 that you have for GGGrandfather. Check county books to see if deaths have been indexed. Don't forget researching children households in 1900 and 1910. That is where you would start. Write back if you've exhausted these options, and I'll come up with a few more.
Louise,
To get a copy of the 1880 census with your grandfather, a copy is on ancestry.com, but you need a subscriptions. So, go to your local library or genealogy library and ask if they have ancestry.com subscription. You will find it there. You will also find in on microfilm of the 1880 census. Or, for a free copy from your home computer go to Familysearch.org --->search records --->reoord search pilot. Fill in only the name and in location put state (if usa). When the correct person is located, click on the small picture icon on the right hand side. A research librarian again should be able to help you, if you are not comfortable with computers.
Nonnie,
If your grandmother died between 1880 and 1920, there may not have been a state issued death certificate. You will need to start in 1880 census. In the county they they lived in you will need to check county death records. Do the same with the county of 1920 that you have for GGGrandfather. Check county books to see if deaths have been indexed. Don't forget researching children households in 1900 and 1910. That is where you would start. Write back if you've exhausted these options, and I'll come up with a few more
Hi, I'm looking for Minnie Mitchell's burial site. She was Africian American born in MS, 5-15-1893. She died in 2-1-1991, Long Beach CA. SS 428-07-0165. My friend, Dorothy Moore is looking for the grave site of her gg grandmother who raised her. Thanks, Marcia
I have tried numerous experts to find a copy of my grandmothers death certificate. Her name was hattie shirley and she and albert harrison gave birth to my mother Marie in Harlem hospital in 1927. Hattie married George Lawrence and they had 4 kids. Hattie was killed in 1935-1945 in new york and I can't find any info on her, I also can't get a copy of my great grandmother's death certificate, she died in 1971 in paterson new jersey. can you help me?
Marcia,
The information you give on Minnie Mitchell does not add up with the California Death Records. There is a Minnie Mitchel with the birth and death dates you give, but death place Los Angels, SSN #426-02-5530. You will want to order a death certificate. It is less expensive if you can get it from the county vs the state. The death certificate should indicate where she was buried.
Kathleen, a3Genealogy