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Finding Information on Austrian Ancestors

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Remember that before 1918, Austria and the Austro-Hungarian Empire took in much of present-day Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, northern Italy, Ukraine, and Croatia , so you may want to check tips for those countries, too.

What to Do:

See About Austrian Resources for a quick overview of Austrian records.

Check the historic maps at the Federation of East European Family History Societies Web Site for more information about historic and present-day borders of Austria.

Obtain military records for your ancestor Austria has an excellent, centralized repository for military records for the entire Austro-Hungarian empire dating from the 16th century to 1919.

Check the links to Austrian genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Find other Austrian researchers in the Austria section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Did this ancestor immigrate to the USA? Check Tips for Finding US Immigrants.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Afghani Ancestors

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What to Do:

Unfortunately, there are not many genealogy resources available for Afghanistan. Your best bet is to check the links to Afghani genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder, and then to check the tips page for general-purpose genealogy help.

Click the Index button above for specific tips for other nationalities and dates.


Finding Information on Albanian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Find other researchers in the Albania section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to Albanian genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Argentinian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Find other researchers in the Argentina section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check AltaVista’s Babelfish site for free, online Spanish-English translation help, or for English versions of Spanish-language websites.

Check the links to Argentinian genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Australian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Find other researchers in the Australia section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

See About Australian Resources for information on state libraries and archives.

Check the links to Australian genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Armenian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Find other Armenian researchers in the Armenia section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to Armenian genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Bangladeshi Ancestors

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What to Do:

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of readily-available genealogy resources for Bangladesh.  Your best bet is to check the links to Bangladesh genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder, and then to check the tips page for general-purpose genealogy help.

Also, click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Ancestors from Barbados

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What to Do:

Find other Barbados researchers in the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to Barbados genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Belarussian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Find other researchers in the Belarus section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to Belarussian genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Belgian Ancestors

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What to Do:

The Genealogy Benelux Web Ring lists many Belgian resources (“Benelux” incorporates Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. See also what's a Web Ring?)

See About Belgian Resources for a brief overview of Belgian immigration and resources in the USA.

Find other Belgian researchers in the Belgium section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to Belgian genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

To find living individuals, try the online Belgian Phonebook.

Contact the Belgian Royal Archives in Brussels.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Brazilian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Find other Brazil researchers in the Brazilian section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to Brazilian genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Bulgarian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Find other researchers in the Bulgaria section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

A list of professional genealogists for Eastern Europe is available at genealogypro.com .

Check the links to Bulgarian genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Cambodian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Find other researchers in the Cambodia section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to Cambodian genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Chinese Ancestors

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What to Do:

Check the National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA’s) website on Chinese immigrants and immigration records.

See About Chinese Resources for an overview of Chinese immigration history and records.

Locate other China researchers in the China section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Chinese genealogy and historical sites in the China section of the Genealogy Site Finder. Also see separate sections on Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Tibet.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Croation Ancestors

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Croatia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1867 until World War II. It became part of Yugoslavia in 1918, and declared its independence in 1991. It includes the historic territories of Dalmatia and Slavonia.

What to Do:

See About Croatian Resources for an overview of Croatian records.

Locate other Croation researchers in the Croatia section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

A list of professional genealogists for Eastern Europe is available at genealogypro.com .

Check the links to Croation genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

A telephone directory for Croatia is available online (it helps if you speak Croatian).

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Cuban Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Cuban researchers in the Cuba section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Take a look at About Spanish and Latin-American Resources for a quick overview of immigration and resources.

Check AltaVista’s Babelfish site for free, online Spanish-English translation help, or for English versions of Spanish-language websites.

Locate links to other Cuban genealogy and historical sites in the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information for Czech Republic, Slovakia, or Czechoslovakia

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Czechoslovakia became independent after WWI in 1919. It then split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993. The national languages are Czech and Slovak, respectively, though German- and English-speakers are not uncommon.

What to Do:

Check the website for the Czech Embassy in Washington, DC for information on obtaining Czech records.

The “Slovaks and Slovakia Home Page ” has a comprehensive overview of Slovak genealogy resources.

Find other researchers in the Czech or Slovak sections of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

The site yourdictionary.com lists a number of free, online translation dictionaries.

A list of professional genealogists for Eastern Europe is available at genealogypro.com .

Try the links to Czech, Slovakian, and Czechoslovakian genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Danish Ancestors

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What to Do:

The Danish Emigration Archives has a searchable online database of emigration records.

See About Danish Resources for a brief overview of Danish immigration and resources in the USA.

Contact one of the Danish state or national archives.

Find other Danish researchers in the Denmark section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to Danish genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on English and Welsh Ancestors

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What to Do:

Check the Genealogy section of the UK Public Records Office website.

Many genealogy records are available in Parish registries. To locate a Parish, check out this Parish Locator software available free online.

Consider hiring an expert for overseas research. Check the Society of Genealogists, including this guide to hiring a professional researcher.

Buy a book. “Beginning your Family History in Great Britain ” by George Pelling is an inexpensive reference that goes back to the sixteenth century, with information on British sources including census records, parish registers, records of civil registration, wills, and so forth. Check GenealogyBookshop.com for other reference ideas.

Extensive collections of census, immigration, and other data is available on British Family Archives from Genealogy.com.

Locate other English researchers in the UK section or the Wales section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other English genealogy and historical sites in the UK section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Estonian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Obtain records from one of the Estonian national archives or registries.

See About Estonian Resources for a brief overview of Estonian immigration and resources in the USA.

The Institute of Baltic Studies has a handy, free online dictionary and translator for Estonian to English (and back).

Locate other Estonian researchers in the Estonia section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Estonian genealogy and historical sites in the UK section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Finnish Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Finnish researchers in the Finnish section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Search the Genealogical Society of Finland’s online database of Finnish parish records (you should actually spend some time exploring the Society’s entire site).

Locate links to Finnish genealogy and historical sites in the Finland section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

See About Finnish Resources for other ideas.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on French Ancestors

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What to Do:

See About French Resources for a brief overview of French immigration and resources in the United States.

AltaVista’s free, online Babelfish translator can translate text between French and English – you can also use it for viewing French web pages in English.

Locate other French researchers in the French section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other French genealogy and historical sites in the France section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on German Ancestors

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See About German Resources for a quick overview of German immigration and research.

What to Do:

Extensive collections of census, immigration, and other data is available on German Family Archives from Genealogy.com.

The free online Babelfish translator can translate text between German and English – you can also use it for viewing German web pages in English.

Locate other German researchers in the German section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other German genealogy and historical sites in the German section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Greek Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Greek researchers in the Greece section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

See About Greek Resources for a brief overview of Greek immigration.

Locate links to other Greek genealogy and historical sites in the UK section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Haitian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Haitian researchers in the Haiti section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check AltaVista’s Babelfish site for free, online French-English translation help. It can also bring up English versions of French-language websites.

Locate links to other Haitian genealogy and historical sites in the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Hungarian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Hungarian researchers in the Hungary section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Look at About Hungarian Resources for a quick overview of Hungarian immigration and research.

Locate links to other Hungarian genealogy and historical sites in the Hungary section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Icelandic Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Icelandic researchers in the Iceland section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Icelandic genealogy and historical sites in the Iceland section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Indian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Find other researchers in the India section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

See About Indian Resources for an overview of Indian immigration.

Check the links to Indian genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Indonesian Ancestors

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Find other researchers in the Indonesia section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to Indonesia genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Irish Ancestors

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What to Do:

Plan a trip. Ireland’s National Tourism Service (in cooperation with the Irish Family History Foundation) has an online genealogy search service specifically designed to help you locate your ancestral home. Even if you can’t actually go there, many of the resources are very useful.

Look at About Irish Resources for a quick overview of Irish research.

Try GEN.IE – this is an online expert system designed to provide leads on records relevant to a particular Irish ancestor

Extensive collections of census, immigration, and other data is available on Irish Family Archives from Genealogy.com.

Locate other Irish researchers in the Ireland section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Irish genealogy and historical sites in the Ireland section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

See also Finding Information on Irish Ancestors (North) .

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Irish Ancestors (North)

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For most Irish information, see Finding Information on Irish Ancestors . For English sources, see Finding Information on English and Welsh Ancestors .

What to Do:

Take a look at About Scotch-Irish Resources for a quick overview of Scotch Irish research.

Check out Northern Ireland Web sites in the Genealogy Site Finder.

Write a letter   to the Northern Ireland Registrar General to request information on obtaining vital records.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Israeli Ancestors

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What to Do:

Find other researchers in the Israel section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to Israeli genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Italian Ancestors

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What to Do:

See About Italian Resources for a quick overview of Italian-American research.

Check the large collection of Italian immigrant lists available in Family Archives from Genealogy.com.

Locate other Italian researchers in the Italy section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Italian genealogy and historical sites in the Italy section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Korean Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Korean researchers in the Korea section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Korean genealogy and historical sites in the Korea section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Japanese Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Japanese researchers in the Japan section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Japanese genealogy and historical sites in the Japan section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Latvian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Latvian researchers in the Latvia section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Latvian genealogy and historical sites in the Latvia section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Lithuanian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Lithuanian researchers in the Lithuania section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Lithuanian genealogy and historical sites in the UK section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Luxembourg Ancestors

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What to Do:

The Genealogy Benelux Web Ring lists many Luxembourg resources (“Benelux” incorporates Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. See also what's a Web Ring?)

Find other Luxembourg researchers in the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to Luxembourg genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Check AltaVista’s Babelfish site for free, online French-English translation help. It can also bring up English versions of French-language websites.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Dutch Ancestors

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Locate other Dutch researchers in the Netherlands section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

The Genealogy Benelux Web Ring lists many Belgian resources (“Benelux” incorporates Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. See also what's a Web Ring?)

See About Dutch Resources for an overview of Dutch research.

Locate links to other Dutch genealogy and historical sites in the Netherlands (Holland) section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on New Zealand Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other New Zealand researchers in the New Zealand section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other New Zealand genealogy and historical sites in the Netherlands (Holland) section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Norwegian Ancestors

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What to Do:

A simple online English-to-Norwegian language translator is available at http://www.freetranslation.com/.

Take a look at About Norwegian Resources for a quick overview of Norwegian research.

Locate other Norwegian researchers in the Norway section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Norwegian genealogy and historical sites in the UK section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Filipino Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Filipino researchers in the Phillippines section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Take a look at About Filipino Resources for a quick overview of Filipino immigration.

Locate links to other Filipino genealogy and historical sites in the Philippines section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Mexican Ancestors

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What to Do:

Take a look at About Mexican Resources for a quick overview of Mexican research.

Check AltaVista’s Babelfish site for free, online Spanish-English translation help, or for English versions of Spanish-language websites.

Find other researchers in the Mexico section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to Mexican genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Polish Ancestors

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Locate other Polish researchers in the Poland section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Take a look at About Polish Resources for a quick overview of Polish research.

Locate links to other Polish genealogy and historical sites in the Poland section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Portuguese Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Portuguese researchers in the Portugal section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check AltaVista’s Babelfish site for free, online Portuguese-English translation help, or to see English versions of Portuguese-language websites.

Locate links to other Portuguese genealogy and historical sites in the Portugal section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Romanian Ancestors

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Locate other Romanian researchers in the Romania section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Romanian genealogy and historical sites in the Romania section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Russian Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Russian researchers in the Russia section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Take a look at About Russian Resources for a quick overview of Russian research.

Locate links to other Russian genealogy and historical sites in the Russia (and Soviet Union) section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Scottish Ancestors

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What to Do:

The Scottish Genealogy Society has an extensive set of resources including several important Scottish archives on CD.

Extensive collections of Scottish as well as British data is available on British Family Archives from Genealogy.com.

Take a look at About Scotch-Irish Resources for a quick overview of Scotch Irish research.

Locate other Scottish researchers in the Scotland section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Scottish genealogy and historical sites in the Scotland section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Serbian Ancestors

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Locate other Serbian researchers in the Serbia section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Serbian genealogy and historical sites in the Serbia and Montenegro section of the Genealogy Site Finder. There is also a separate section of Yugoslavia links.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on South African Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other South African researchers in the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other South African genealogy and historical sites in the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Spanish Ancestors

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Locate other Spanish researchers in the Spain section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Take a look at About Spanish and Latin-American Resources for a quick overview of Spanish research.

Check AltaVista’s Babelfish site for free, online Spanish-English translation help, or for English versions of Spanish-language websites.

Locate links to other Spanish genealogy and historical sites in the Spain section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Swedish Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Swedish researchers in the Sweden section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Take a look at About Swedish Resources for a quick overview of Swedish research.

Check the website of the Swenson Center, a national archives and research institute for the study of Swedish immigration to North America.

Check http://www.foark.umu.se/adr_rika.htm for addresses and websites of Swedish national and regional archives.

Locate links to other Swedish genealogy and historical sites in the Sweden section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Swiss Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Swiss researchers in the Switzerland section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check Swissgen for a good introduction to Swiss Genealogy.

Locate links to other Swiss genealogy and historical sites in the Switzerland section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Turkish Ancestors

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What to Do:

Locate other Turkish researchers in the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Turkish genealogy and historical sites in the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Ukrainian Ancestors

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See also Finding Information on Jewish Ancestors and Finding Information on Russian Ancestors

What to Do:

The western part of Ukraine was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1722-1918. Don’t be surprised to see “Austria ” as the national origin of your Ukraininan ancestors in immigration and other records.

The “InfoUkes” Website has a Ukrainian roadmap server on which you can locate the cities, towns, or villages of your ancestors.

Locate other Ukrainian researchers in the Ukraine section of the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Locate links to other Ukrainian genealogy and historical sites in the Ukraine section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Vietnamese Ancestors

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of readily-available genealogy resources for Vietnam. Your best bet is to check the links to other Vietnamese genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder, and then to check the tips page for general-purpose genealogy help.

Also, click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Yugoslavian Ancestors

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

See also tips pages on Serbia and Croatia.

What to Do:

Locate other researchers in the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards for Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia/Herzegovina, or Macedonia.

Locate links to other Yugoslavian genealogy and historical sites in the Yugoslavia section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on US Immigrant Ancestors

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What to Do:

There are several sets of Family Archives from Genealogy.com with original passenger lists for immigrants to the USA.

Many ship passenger arrival records from 1820 on are available from the National Archives. See their website for details.

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on African-American Ancestors

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See African-American Resources for a general overview of African-American research.

What to Do:

For information on ex-slaves immediately after the Civil War, check the National Archives records from the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company and Marriage Records of Freedmen.

Check out the many sites in the African-American Genealogy Web Ring (what’s a Web Ring?).

 Family Archive CD 165 provides an index of African-Americans who were enumerated in the 1870 U.S. Census (the first Census in which African-Americans were included as citizens).

Click the Index button for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on Jewish Ancestors

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What to Do:

Check the website for the American Jewish Archives.

Contact the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies.

Try the jewishgen.org homepage.

Contact or visit the American Jewish Historical Society

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Alabama

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children .

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Could this person (or her spouse) have served in the Confederate army? Check the special census of Alabama Confederate Veterans taken in 1907.

Locate other Alabama researchers in the Alabama message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Alabama links, check the Alabama section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History maintains an excellent website complete with city directories, census information, and some African-American resources.

Also check Finding Information on African-American Ancestors .

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Alabama Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Birth and death records since 1908, and marriage records since 1936, are available from the state.

Earlier records are available from individual counties.


Alabama Confederate Veterans

Alabama commissioned a special census of its living Confederate veterans in 1907. The results are collected at the Alabama Department of Archives and History.

Research fees and terms

Other Alabama Civil War records


Finding Ancestors in Alaska

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children from the state of Alaska.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

For a complete list of Alaska links, check the Alaska section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Locate other Alaska researchers in the Alaska message board at GenForum.com.

Could this person (or her spouse) have served in the military? Obtain military or military pension records from the National Archives.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Arizona

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

For a complete list of Arizona links, check the Arizona section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Locate other Arizona researchers in the Arizona message board at GenForum.com.

The Arizona State Library maintains an extensive collection of genealogy resources.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Arizona Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for birth and death records since 1909.

For earlier birth and death records (back to 1887) along with all marriage and divorce records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Arkansas

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Arkansas researchers in the Arkansas message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Arkansas links, check the Arkansas section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Many Poles originally settled in Pulaski County in Arkansas. If your ancestor has a Polish surname, check the vital records available in Pulaski County.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Arkansas Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1914.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in California

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Check the online index to “Foreign-Born Voters of California – 1872 .”

Locate other California researchers in the California message board at GenForum.com.

If your ancestor was an original landowner in California, check the online database of California Land Patents .

For a complete list of California links, check the California section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


California Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records after 1905.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Colorado

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Colorado researchers in the Colorado message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Colorado links, check the Colorado section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Colorado Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1910.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Connecticut

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

There are many collections of early Connecticut records available. Browse the Connecticut sections at GenealogyBookshop.com or GenealogyLibrary.com

Locate other Connecticut researchers in the Connecticut message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Connecticut links, check the Connecticut section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Connecticut Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records after 1897.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Delaware

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check the Directory of Historical Records in Delaware  Web site.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Check the Genexchange searchable databases for Delaware . This has several interesting sources, including a database of WW1 draft records .

Locate other Delaware researchers in the Delaware message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Delaware links, check the Delaware section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Delaware Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records after 1920.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in the District of Columbia

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the District of Columbia.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other DC researchers in the  message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of DC links, check the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Florida

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Florida researchers in the Florida message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Florida links, check the Florida section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Florida Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records after 1865.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Georgia

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Georgia researchers in the Georgia message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Georgia links, check the Georgia section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Georgia Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records after 1919.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Hawaii

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate from the State of Hawaii.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Hawaii researchers in the Hawaii message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Hawaii links, check the Hawaii section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Idaho

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Idaho researchers in the Idaho message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Idaho links, check the Idaho section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Idaho Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records after 1911.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Illinois

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check the State Archives database of Illinois Veterans. Also see the  Illinois Civil War site for Illini who fought in the Civil War.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Illinois researchers in the Illinois message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Illinois links, check the Illinois section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Illinois Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records after 1916.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Indiana

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Indiana researchers in the Indiana message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Indiana links, check the Indiana section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Indiana Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1907.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Iowa

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Iowa researchers in the Iowa message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Iowa links, check the Iowa section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Iowa Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1880.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Kansas

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Kansas researchers in the Kansas message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Kansas links, check the Kansas section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Kansas Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1911.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Kentucky

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Kentucky researchers in the Kentucky message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Kentucky links, check the Kentucky section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Kentucky Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1911.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Louisiana

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Louisiana researchers in the Louisiana message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Louisiana links, check the Louisiana section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Louisiana Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1892.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Maine

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Maine researchers in the Maine message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Maine links, check the Maine section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Maine Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1923.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Maryland

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Maryland researchers in the Maryland message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Maryland links, check the Maryland section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Maryland Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1898.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Massachusetts

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Massachusetts researchers in the Massachusetts message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Massachusetts links, check the Massachusetts section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Massachusetts Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1901.

For earlier records, contact the county or the Massachusetts Archives.


Finding Ancestors in Michigan

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Check this online list of all genealogical societies in Michigan.

Locate other Michigan researchers in the Michigan message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Michigan links, check the Michigan section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Michigan Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1867.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Minnesota

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Minnesota researchers in the Minnesota message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Minnesota links, check the Minnesota section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Minnesota Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1908.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Mississippi

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Mississippi researchers in the Mississippi message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Mississippi links, check the Mississippi section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Mississippi Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1912.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Missouri

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Missouri researchers in the Missouri message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Missouri links, check the Missouri section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Missouri Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1910.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Montana

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Montana researchers in the Montana message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Montana links, check the Montana section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Montana Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for some records since 1860 and most since 1907.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Nebraska

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Nebraska researchers in the Nebraska message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Nebraska links, check the Nebraska section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Nebraska Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1904.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in Nevada

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth, death, or marriage record for this individual or one of his or her children.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Nevada researchers in the Nevada message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Nevada links, check the Nevada section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Nevada Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1911.

For earlier records, contact the county.


Finding Ancestors in New Hampshire

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate for this individual or his or her children from the State of New Hampshire or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other New Hampshire researchers in the New Hampshire message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of New Hampshire links, check the New Hampshire section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in New Jersey

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate for this person or his or her children from the State of New Jersey or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other New Jersey researchers in the New Jersey message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of New Jersey links, check the New Jersey section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in New Mexico

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of New Mexico or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other New Mexico researchers in the New Mexico message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of New Mexico links, check the New Mexico section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


New Mexico Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Contact the state for most records since 1920.

For earlier records, start with the county.


Finding Ancestors in New York

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate for this person or for one of his or her children from the State of New York or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other New York researchers in the New York message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of New York links, check the New York section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors from New York City

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

See also Finding Ancestors in New York State.

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate from New York City.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other New York researchers in the New York message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of New York links, check the New York section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in North Carolina

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of North Carolina or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other North Carolina researchers in the North Carolina message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of North Carolina links, check the North Carolina section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in North Dakota

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of North Dakota or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other North Dakota researchers in the North Dakota message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of North Dakota links, check the North Dakota section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Ohio

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of Ohio or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Check the various online databases at the Ohio Historical Society – including veterans, newspapers, historic homes, and more.

Locate other Ohio researchers in the Ohio message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Ohio links, check the Ohio section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Oklahoma

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of Oklahoma or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Oklahoma researchers in the Oklahoma message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Oklahoma links, check the Oklahoma section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Oregon

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of Oregon or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Oregon researchers in the Oregon message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Oregon links, check the Oregon section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Pennsylvania

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of Pennsylvania or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Pennsylvania researchers in the Pennsylvania message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Pennsylvania links, check the Pennsylvania section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Rhode Island

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of Rhode Island or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Rhode Island researchers in the Rhode Island message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Rhode Island links, check the Rhode Island section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in South Carolina

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of South Carolina or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other South Carolina researchers in the South Carolina message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of South Carolina links, check the South Carolina section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in South Dakota

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What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of South Dakota or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other South Dakota researchers in the South Dakota message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of South Dakota links, check the South Dakota section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Tennessee

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of Tennessee or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Tennessee researchers in the Tennessee message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Tennessee links, check the Tennessee section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Texas

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of Texas or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Texas researchers in the Texas message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Texas links, check the Texas section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Utah

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of Utah or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Utah researchers in the Utah message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Utah links, check the Utah section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Vermont

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What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of Vermont or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Vermont researchers in the Vermont message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Vermont links, check the Vermont section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Virginia

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What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of Virginia or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Virginia researchers in the Virginia message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Virginia links, check the Virginia section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Washington state

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What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of Washington or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Washington researchers in the Washington message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Washington links, check the Washington section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in West Virginia

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What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of West Virginia or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other West Virginia researchers in the West Virginia message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of West Virginia links, check the West Virginia section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Wisconsin

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of Wisconsin or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Wisconsin researchers in the Wisconsin message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Wisconsin links, check the Wisconsin section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Wyoming

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What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the State of Wyoming or from the appropriate county.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other Wyoming researchers in the Wyoming message board at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of Wyoming links, check the Wyoming section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors from US Territories

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What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate or his or her children from the territory.

Check Social Security records – these are a great starting point if this person or any of his or her children died since the late 1940’s or so.

Locate other researchers on the message boards at GenForum.com.

For a complete list of territory links, check the specific section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Finding Ancestors in Canada

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate from the appropriate province.

Locate other Canada researchers on GenForum.com.

Check the Canada section of the Genealogy Site Finder.

Search an online index of Canadian Immigrants from Great Britain during the years 1801-1849 at http://www.inGeneas.com/free/index.html

Could this individual have served in WW1? Search the records of the Canadian Expeditionary Force at http://www.archives.ca/exec/naweb.dll?fs&020106&e&top&0

See About Canadian Resources for an overview of what’s available in Canada.

Between 1869 and the 1930’s, over 100,000 children were sent from Great Britain to Canada during the Child Emigration movement. Search a database of child emigrants at http://www.archives.ca/exec/naweb.dll?fs&020110&e&top&0

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Canadian Provinces

Select a province:

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador

Northwest Territories

Nova Scotia

Ontario

Prince Edward Island

Quebec

Saskatchewan

Yukon Territory


Finding Information on Ancestors from African Nations

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

See also Finding Information on African-American Ancestors .

What to Do:

Check for researchers on various specific countries on the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to African genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Information on South American Ancestors

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

Genealogy research is still in its infancy in Central America and the Caribbean nations. You can also take a look at About Spanish and Latin-American Resources for more ideas to get you started.

What to Do:

Check for researchers on various specific countries on the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

AltaVista’s Babelfish site offers free, instant online translation between English and Spanish and between English and Portuguese.

Check the links on the SouthAm GenWeb site.

Check the links to South American genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Ancestors from Central America and the Caribbean

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

Genealogy research is still in its infancy in Central America and the Caribbean nations. You can also take a look at About Spanish and Latin-American Resources for more ideas to get you started.

What to Do:

Use the Genforum Genealogy Message Boards to find other researchers interested in specific countires including Mexico, Panama, Guatemala, and others .

AltaVista’s Babelfish site offers free, instant online translation between English and Spanish (also French, Portuguese, German, and Italian).

Check the links on the NorthAm GenWeb site.

Check the links to regional genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Ancestors from Asian Nations

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

Genealogical research in Asian nations can be difficult. The links below will provide you with starting points. You may also want to try to obtain the Asian American Genealogical Sourcebook by Paula K. Byers (Editor). For general tips, see also Finding your Ancestors .

What to Do:

Check for others who are researching specific countries on the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to Asian genealogy and historical sites on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding Ancestors from the Middle East

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

Genealogical research in Middle Eastern nations can be difficult. The links below will provide you with starting points.  For general tips, see also Finding your Ancestors .

What to Do:

Check for others who are researching specific countries on the GenForum Genealogy Message Boards.

Check the links to middle-eastern and asian genealogy and historical sites for Africa or Asia on the Genealogy Site Finder.

Click the Index button above for more tips by nationality and date.


Finding 18th Century Ancestors

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

Click the Index button for tips for specific states and nationalities.

What to Do:

If this individual immigrated to the United States, chances are he or she can be found on a ship passenger list.

Many miscellaneous early American records have been transcribed in the USGenWeb project. Check the specific state in http://www.usgenweb.com/statelinks-table.html .

Check US census records, which extend back to 1790.


Finding 19th Century Ancestors

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

Click the Index button for tips for specific states and nationalities.

What to Do:

Could this individual have served in the Civil War? Check the National Park Service’s Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System. How about WW1? Try this searchable database of WW1 draft records .

If the individual was born in the US, obtain a birth or death certificate from the State (pre-20th-century records are often kept by counties).

Check census data to research family members from 1850 on.

Find out what ship they came in on – if this individual immigrated to the United States, chances are he or she can be found on a ship passenger list.

Check children’s Social Security records – if this person had children who are no longer living and who died in the United States, you can probably obtain an original Social Security application which will provide information on the applicant’s parents.


Finding 20th Century Ancestors

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

For tips by state and nationality, click the Index button above.

What to Do:

If the individual was born in the US, obtain a birth or death certificate from the State (pre-20th-century records are often kept by counties).

Check Social Security records – if this person is American and is no longer living, these records will give you information on parents and other facts.


Finding Contemporary Relatives

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

For tips by state and nationality, click the Index button above.

What to Do:

Obtain a birth or death certificate for an individual from the State.

Check Social Security records – if this person is American and is no longer living, these records will give you information on parents and other facts.

If the individual is still living, try the phone book. Check teldir.com for online phonebooks of many countries, or whowhere.com  to locate an individual’s email address.


Finding your Ancestors

Green: Local links    Blue: Internet links

What to Do:

If the individual was born in the US, obtain a birth or death certificate from the State .

If the individual is still living, try the phone book. Check teldir.com for online phonebooks of many countries.

Check Social Security records – if this person or his or her child is American and is no longer living, these records will give you information on parents and other facts.

Check US census records, which extend from 1900 back to 1790.

Check out one of the best genealogy resources in the United States: the Allen County Library in Indiana.

Click the Index button for more tips by state, nationality, and date.


Internet Links

These bring up pages in your Web browser. You must be connected to the Internet to access these links.

See also Trouble with Internet Links .


Local Links

These are links to other pages on your computer. You do not need to be connected to the Internet to use them.


Birth Certificate Tip

Obtain the child's birth certificate (or other vital record) to find out information about the parents – use this technique to work back through the generations of your family tree!