Self Help

Citizenship Papers: Applications for citizenship include genealogically significant information, whereas actual certificates of citizenship rarely do. Such applications in the twentieth century in the United States often include birth dates and places, your ancestor’s actual signature, the port of arrival, and his or her last place of residence before coming to this country.

Emigration/Immigration Records: This category includes such things as steamship tickets, passenger lists, ship manifests, and alien manifests. 20th century alien passenger manifests often list the town of residence and the next of kin back in the old country. You may also be able to determine relatives’ locations from postmarks on letters and pictures on postcards.

Civil Certificates: These include official government certificates for births, marriages, divorces, and deaths. They are generally considered original sources because they are made near the time of the event by a recorder who usually can read and write competently.

Legal Papers and Documents: Wills, deeds, mortgages, land grants, and land surveys may contain names, dates, and places. Often they also reveal relationships.

Occupational Records: These include apprenticeship and pension records, awards, citations, and pay stubs. Not only do they contain some genealogical information, but they can also teach you more about how your ancestors lived.