8 Types of Historical Documents You Can Use to Find Ancestors

When we research our family history, we’re doing more than just collecting names and dates. We’re exploring the lives of our ancestors, trying to understand their experiences and the challenges they faced. Historical documents are like time capsules, offering glimpses into the past.

Are you holding an old census record? Its faded pages tell stories of people who crossed oceans, endured hardships, and dreamed of a better future. These papers reveal the human side of history. They help us answer fundamental questions about our identity and origins.

Each historical document offers a piece of the puzzle. An immigration paper tells a story of courage, and a will reveals the depth of family relationships. By examining these documents, you can gain a deeper understanding of the complex lives that have shaped our own.

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1. Birth and death records

Birth and death certificates are essential historical documents. In the U.S., they weren’t officially required until the early 20th century. Before that, record-keeping varied by state and region. For example, Virginia and Massachusetts began keeping these documents in the 17th century, while other states followed suit in the late 19th.

The Republic of Ireland also has a rich history of record-keeping. It has archived Non-Catholic birth records since 1845 and all birth records since 1864. If you run into a birth record from County Clare, Ireland, you could find a birth date, parents’ names — including the mother’s maiden name — and specific location.

Other countries have their timelines for standardized record-keeping. For example, France started it in 1792, while Britain began in 1837.

Key information on birth and death certificates

These documents typically include:

• Dates: Birth and death dates.
• Names: Parents’ names, including the mother’s maiden name.
• Locations: Birthplace and death place, sometimes including addresses.
• Additional details: Hospital name, burial information, and cause of death.

How you can access these records varies by location. In the U.S., regulations differ by state. Missouri and Ohio offer easy access to death records, while others, like New York, restrict access to birth records.

The document below includes a record and page number so that the original record can be located. Many Irish records are now online and you can find them on the Irish genealogy website. [1]

a large sheet of paper with a lot of writing on it

2. Weddings and other church records

Church records, especially those related to weddings, are often well-preserved. Many faiths consider marriage a sacred sacrament, leading to meticulous record-keeping. Catholic Church records in the U.S. are a great example of the valuable information contained in wedding records.

These documents often include details such as:

• Names of the bride and groom
• Date of the wedding
• Names of the parents
• Names of witnesses
• Sometimes, information about the couple’s occupations or residences

a piece of paper with writing on it

If you look at the example above, you’ll see several important details.

• First is the date of the marriage with the groom’s name and address.
• The next line is his birthdate and where he was baptized.
• The line after that contains his parents’ names and their current location.
• The final three lines contain the same information for the bride. The street addresses assume the city the record was made in.

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Marriage records

Catholic marriage records have extensive details. At the top, you’ll find:

• Date of marriage
• The groom’s name and address
• The groom’s birthdate and baptism location
• The groom’s parents’ names and current location
• The bride’s equivalent information

Secular marriage records are usually more concise. Inside, you’ll often find the date of marriage, county, bride and groom’s names, and the officiating person. Occasionally, there may be parents’ names, though mother’s maiden names are rare. Some of these documents even include checkboxes indicating potential cousin relationships.

Baptism records

Baptism is a required Catholic Church sacrament, and its documentation can be invaluable in your research. For example, one record helped one of my clients trace their ancestor’s lineage by revealing the exact city of origin and parental names, including the mother’s maiden name.

When examining baptism records, you should understand their nuances. The date reflects the baptism—not the birth—and births could occur weeks to six months before baptism. Factors influencing baptism timing include the time of year, distance to church, and availability of a priest.

Are you estimating a birth year from baptism records? You should consider if the event occurred in January or February; the child was likely born in November or December of the previous year.

Additional church record events

Two other significant life events recorded in church records are First Communion and Confirmation. First Communion in the Catholic Church typically occurs around age eight and is registered locally. On the other hand, Confirmation in Protestant Churches usually happens between ages twelve and sixteen. Episcopalians, Church of England, Lutherans, and other Protestant denominations usually practice this sacrament.

Quakers are also known for their exceptionally comprehensive records. Meeting minutes, which many university libraries hold, list their births, deaths, and marriages. You can find William Hinshaw’s compilation of North Carolina Quaker online.

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3. Military records

Military records are a great historical document resource for your ancestors. Even if they didn’t serve during an active war period, documents of their service can provide or reinforce family history. While there are sites with paid subscriptions specifically for military records, MyHeritage has millions of records available on their site. They include WWI Draft Cards, WWII Army Enlistments, and six million Civil War Records.

Below is a sample of a U.S. WWI registration card. It shows:

• The family member’s name, address, birth date, and place
• The person who will always know your address (usually a wife or a mother)
• Place of employment and signature.

a black and white photo of a birth certificate

Below is a WWII registration card. It has the same information.

a birth certificate for a child

Land grant records

Veterans of several early American conflicts received land grants as rewards for their service. The Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Spanish-American War provided soldiers with opportunities to acquire land. These land grant records can reveal significant family migration patterns, showing where they chose to settle after their military service.

Additionally, pension application files offer additional insights into family composition. They often list family members, including minor children who require financial support. You can use such documents to verify or discover family connections that might not be immediately apparent in traditional family trees.

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Naval service records

World War II Navy records provide detailed personal and professional information about service members. These documents typically include:

• The specific ship a sailor served on
• Rank and role
• Transfer histories
• Promotion details

Navy “cruise books” serve as unique historical artifacts. Similar to high school yearbooks, these publications document life aboard a particular vessel. They feature photographs of all crew members and illustrate the specific roles each sailor fulfilled during their service.

4. Census records and schedules

Census records have a long and rich history, dating back to biblical times. Initially, they served the practical purpose of determining taxation and establishing government representation. Over time, their scope and complexity expanded, transforming them into valuable historical documents for genealogical research.

In the U.S., census records first appeared regularly in the eastern colonies during the 1700s. But, these early documents weren’t detailed. A significant change occurred in 1850 when women’s names began to be included, marking an important milestone in demographic documentation.

For example, the 1850 census was relatively sparse in its details. It captured basic information such as:

• Location
• Name
• Age
• Sex
• Real estate value
• Employment
• State of birth

Subsequent census records became increasingly detailed and diverse. They evolved to include a wide range of additional information, from tracking family demographics like the number of children born and surviving to capturing cultural indicators such as radio ownership.

These documents give you a nuanced snapshot of family life and societal changes across different historical periods. By documenting the most fundamental details of individuals and households, census records offer an invaluable resource for understanding family histories and social evolution.

Census records from 1850 onward are invaluable historical resources for genealogical research. They provide essential information such as names, ages, occupations, places of birth, and family relationships.

For example, a list of children’s names can help confirm the correct family. If a man was married more than once, his wife’s name can indicate when they were married and which children belong to which wife. Unusual names in a household may suggest a maiden name. Additionally, place of birth information can help you trace family migrations and origins.

5. Wills and probate records

Wills have long been a part of human history, used to ensure the distribution of assets after a person’s death. While laws have often governed the division of larger estates, personal belongings have typically been left to individual discretion. As laws relaxed over time, the importance of clearly outlining one’s wishes in a will grew.

Beyond their legal significance, wills offer valuable insights into family history. They can reveal names, including married names of daughters, and detail land ownership and possessions, providing a glimpse into the family’s lifestyle and economic status.

Wills can also illuminate future generations, identifying potential heirs and providing details about grandchildren. They may outline guardianship arrangements or care for individuals with special needs, offering a more nuanced understanding of family dynamics.

Probate records and wills are essential historical documents. They can help you pinpoint location, time period, and family relationships, as well as provide clues about economic status and approximate date of death. While wills can offer an estimated death date, they may not always be precise.

Additionally, wills and probate records are typically filed in the county where the person resided at the time of death. The local court oversees the execution of the will according to the deceased’s wishes. While specific procedures may vary, you can usually find these records housed in the county of death.

6. Immigration records

If your ancestors weren’t Native American, they likely immigrated to your country at some point. To research their journey, start by understanding the immigration policies of your country. This knowledge will give you clues about the time period, possible entry points, and reasons for settling in a specific location.

In the U.S., for most of its history, there were no set immigration rules for white Europeans. Local authorities and states made their own decisions. The naturalization process also varied by location.

Before 1891, immigrants basically arrived and settled wherever they chose. In 1891, the Immigration Act established the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Ellis Island, a major processing center. The Naturalization Act of 1906 defined the process for becoming a U.S. citizen.

Ellis Island operated from 1892 to 1954, processing nearly 450,000 people in its first year alone. While Ellis Island was a major entry point, other ports like Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans, and San Francisco also received immigrants.

Regardless of the entry point, all immigrants faced similar requirements. For example, a Declaration of Intention document from 1939 shows that Annie McInerney — image below — legally entered the U.S. in 1935 and is now pursuing citizenship. Her naturalization papers include statements from acquaintances verifying her residency.

The application below includes:

• The person’s current address
• Country of origin
• Exact date and point of entry
• Ship name
• Physical description
• Photograph
• Family information

This historical record can either uncover new information or confirm existing details, making it a valuable resource for your research.

a paper with a picture of a man on it

You can see how important these records can be in developing your family history. You may not have known exactly when or where your ancestors immigrated or exactly what city they came from or who they were traveling with. Even the family member who is vouching for them may be an unknown quantity that is now known.

Because these records didn’t come into being in this form until 1892, they are easier to find than earlier documents. You should look for immigration records specifically for anyone you know in your family that entered the country post 1891.

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7. School records

School records can be another valuable source of historical information. While U.S. school records from the 19th century are often limited, with some exceptions like Ivy League or military academy records, more recent yearbooks are increasingly being digitized and made available online.

In contrast, countries like England have more comprehensive school records dating back to 1870. It’s worth checking local archives to see what records may be available in your specific region.

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8. Newspapers

Newspapers are another valuable historical resource. Since the invention of the printing press, newspapers have been widely circulated, and many are now being digitized. In the U.S., the Library of Congress’ “Chronicling America” project has digitized numerous newspapers.

One particularly useful type of historical data found in newspapers is the obituary. Obituaries can provide detailed family information that may not be available elsewhere, such as relationships between family members. MyHeritage’s OldNews.com platform offers access to extensive newspaper collections, including several foreign countries, in addition to the Library of Congress’ collection.

Digging deeper: key historical documents for genealogy

By understanding the various types of historical documents available, you can significantly enhance your genealogical research. From birth and death records to immigration papers and military service records, each document offers a unique glimpse into your ancestor’s life.

Remember, every piece of information, no matter how small, can lead to a breakthrough. By carefully examining these documents and cross-referencing them with other records, you can piece together the puzzle of your family history.

So, dive into the archives, explore online databases, and uncover the stories of your ancestors. Your family history is waiting to be discovered.

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