How to Find

a Parent

Summary

In-depth Discussion

Records are listed in general order, starting with the records most likely to be successful due to record content and ease of access.

​​

TRY THESE RECORDS FIRST:

• Census – In 1850 and later, the U.S. Census lists each person by name and starting in 1880 they listed the person’s relationship to the head of household.​

  • Don’t assume relationships just because the person/child fits into the family.

  • Sometimes extended family members are living in the same household.

  • Search for all entries of the surname in the same or nearby towns or counties.

  • Remember to look for state censuses as well. Check the FamilySearch Wiki for availability.

  • Always view the original record for additional details that might provide evidence.

  • Find Census Records:

    • FamilySearch, Ancestry ($), and MyHeritage ($)

• Vital Records - General Principles​

  • Check availability in the FamilySearch Wiki by searching for the [name of state] and “birth” or “marriage” or “death”.

  • In most states, marriage records start when the county began (or the town in New England.)

  • Birth and death certificates usually began in the early 1900s. If the family was born in the 1800s then search first for the death certificates for those children who might have died in the 1900s.

  • Always note the names of the witnesses or informants because they are often close relatives, but remember that the informant might not always know/provide all the correct information.

  • Check the “Atlas of Historical County Boundaries” to understand the county boundaries at the time of the event. Your ancestor might have lived in two different counties, but never moved.

  • If your ancestor is not found, then extend the search years on each side of the event and check surrounding counties.

  • Find Vital Records:

    • FamilySearch, Ancestry ($), and FindMyPast ($) have many vital records.

    • FamilySearch Wiki: search [name of state] and “online records.”

  • Vital records to search:

    • The marriage license of the ancestor and each known sibling

      • Marriage records have been kept since the beginning of the county in most states.

      • Check several census records after 1850 to determine the ancestor’s state of birth.

      • Look for marriage banns and bonds in earlier time periods.

    • Birth Certificate for the ancestor or siblings

      • Most states in the U.S. didn’t require birth certificates until the early 1900s.

    • Death Certificate for the person or siblings 

      • ​Especially those who may have died later than the early 1900s.

• Cemetery

  • Look at people buried nearby because family members were often near each other.

  • Find Cemetery Records:

    • FamilySearch: Find A Grave Index

    • FamilySearch: BillionGraves Index

    • Ancestry: U.S., Find A Grave Index ($)

• Probate/Estate Records: wills, inventories, guardianships, etc. 

  • Children are often listed in probate records, especially if your ancestor left a will.

  • Daughters are often listed under their married name.

  • Find probate records:

    • Ancestry Database Catalog:  type [name of state] and “probate” or “will” or “estate” 

    • FamilySearch Historical Records: type “probate” in “Find a collection”

    • FamilySearch Catalog: search on the county level

• Published family trees –  use these trees only as a suggestion to confirm with further research.

  • FamilySearch Family Tree

  • FamilySearch Genealogies

  • Ancestry’s Public Member Trees

  • MyHeritage Family Trees

• Social Security Records

  • The Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5 Form) often includes genealogical information, including the names of the parents. (Social Security Act passed in 1935)

  • Find Social Security Records:

    • Ancestry ($): U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 this indexes the SS-5 applications, as well as claims, so it includes the names of the applicant’s parents.

    • Alternate option: For ancestors who may have applied for a Social Security card, identify their Social Security number in FamilySearch: United States Social Security Death Index. Then order the SS-5 Form by filling out the “Request for Deceased Individual’s Social Security Record” at https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-711.pdf.

 

NEXT SEARCH IN THESE RECORDS:

• Search Family Records at home

• Obituaries – Check for an obituary of the person or a sibling.Find Obituary Records:

  • FamilySearch: Obituaries

  • Ancestry: U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-2015

  • Cyndi’s List: Obituaries

• Local and County histories

  • Also check for histories for siblings, children or grandchildren.

  • Find Histories:

    • WorldCat Library is an online catalog for many libraries around the world. It will also reference online sources for some books. If not available online, you can often do interlibrary loan through your local library.

    • FamilySearch Catalog lists books available at the Family History and it also has a link to the book if they have digitized it.

    • Google search: [county, state] and “history”

• Land records

  • When a man died, often his real estate was divided among his children. The daughters were listed under their married name. Search for them in the grantor-grantee indexes.

  • Especially watch for a deed of land to your ancestor for a small amount of money.

  • Find land records:

    • Ancestry Database Catalog:  type [name of state] and “land” or “deed” or “patent,” etc.

    • FamilySearch Historical Records: Research by Location and choose your state, then look for land records

    • FamilySearch Catalog: search on the county level

• Military Records 

  • Pension records typically provide the most genealogical information and can include the name of the wife or daughter.

  • If the female ancestor you are looking for was born around the time of a war and up to 20 years after, then check for a pension record for the father.

  • Bounty land warrants can also list the name of the spouse

  • Find military records:

    • Fold3 ($) is the best site to start looking for military records.

    • FamilySearch and Ancestry ($) also have military collections.

    • See also United States Military Online Genealogy Records

    • Many state archives or libraries have online military collections, especially for the Civil War.

• Church baptism records

• Bible records

• Immigration Records