Family History and Genealogy

with a little help from

Uncle Sam


Doing your family history and genealogy? Need a little help? Try the Federal government. Federal government agencies offer a multitude of resource sites for genealogical research. Agencies such as The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Library of Congress, The Census Bureau, the National Park Service, the Social Security Administration, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) all offer resources that are useful in tracing your family history. Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned researcher, the information at these sites can prove to be valuable and useful.

This web page is divided into seven categories to help you focus your search. Each of the seven links directs you to a selection of web sites in that category. The individual links show the government agency, the title of the web page, and the URL address.

Good luck and enjoy the search for that elusive ancestor!




CATEGORY LINKS
General Research Information
Census Records
Immigration and Naturalization
Maps
Military and Pension Records
Miscellaneous Resources
Publications






This page prepared by Rosemary Fischer for the College of Library and Information Science, University of South Carolina as part of course requirements. Your comments and suggestions are welcomed. You can write to me at my e-mail address.




***********************************************************************

General Research Information


The Library of Congress
The Library of Congress has one of the world's premier collections of U. S.and foreign genealogical and local historical publications. The Library's genealogy collection began as early as 1815 with the purchase of Thomas Jefferson's library.
General Information
http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/


The Library of Congress
Careful and systematic use of the genealogy collections of the library of Congress should help you retrieve the information which may be available about the history of your family. Reference librarians are available to assist you in your work.
Genealogical Research at the Library of Congress
http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/lhg.html#bibl


The Library of Congress
The family history collections contain more than 40,000 international and 100,000 U.S. family histories. The library collects local histories from around the U.S. and the world. Help the Library of Congress identify and acquire new and reprinted genealogy and local history volumes.
How to Donate Published Genealogies to the Library of Congress
http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/gifts.html


National Archives and Records Administration
This web page provides many of the finding aids, guides, and research tools that can prepare you for a visit to one of their facilities or for requesting records from NARA.
The Genealogy Page
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/


National Archives and Records Administration
The National Archives and the regional records services facilities conduct a comprehensive program of genealogical workshops each year. Topics covered in these programs include an introduction to genealogy, researching primary records such as census schedules, passenger lists, and military service records; and ethnic genealogy. Lecturers include staff members of the National Archives as well as experienced genealogists and consultants.
Genealogy Workshops at the National Archives
http://www.nara.gov/publications/genwkshp.html


National Archives and Records Administration
How-to information for researchers at NARA. Basic information and research tools, including the NAIL database of selected records descriptions and digital copies, and a Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives. This site also provides a list of NARA's holdings.
The Research Room
http://www.nara.gov/research/


National Archives and Records Administration
An excellent guide for beginners. Short, only four pages, but lots of useful tips.
Beginning Your Genealogical Research
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/begin.html


National Archives and Records Administration
Describes and explains how to make use of the microfilm rental program.
Here's what you get from the NARA Microfilm Rental Program:
a description of the rental program and instructions on renting microfilm.
http://www.nara.gov/publications/microfilm/micrent.html


National Archives and Records Administration
This is a complete table of contents for the microfilm catalog.
Microfilm Resources for Research: A Comprehensive Catalog
http://www.nara.gov/publications/microfilm/comprehensive/compcat.html


National Archives and Records Administration
NAIL contains information about a wide variety of NARA's holdings across the country. Until a full online catalog is developed, NAIL will continue to serve as NARA's online information system.
NARA Archival Information Locator (NAIL):
A Protoype Database of Selected Holdings
http://www.nara.gov/nara/nail.html


National Archives and Records Administration
NARA offers regional records services to the public, and to Federal courts and agencies, from facilities throughout the United States. The list of regional offices includes: address, telephone, e-mail, and web address as well as the holdings of that particular regional office.
Regional Records Services Facilities
http://www.nara.gov/regional/nrmenu.html


U.S. Census Bureau
The Census Burueau's information on individuals does not become available to the public until after 72 years. For businesses, the information becomes available after 30 years. This page outlines what the Census Bureau does offer in helping with genealogical research.
Genealogy
http://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/





**********************************************************************

Census Records

National Archives and Records Administration
Catalogs of NARA Microfilm are available for the census years: 1790-1890, 1900, 1910, and 1920.
The Federal Population Censuses: Catalogs of NARA Microfilm
http://www.nara.gov/publications/microfilm/census/census.html


National Archives and Records Administration
Instructions for using the microfilm catalogs as well as the different census indexes.
How to Use NARA's Census Microfilm Catalogs
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/microcen.html


National Archives and Records Administration
The Soundex is a coded last name (surname) index based on the way a name sounds rather than the way it is spelled. The Soundex coding system was developed so that you can find a surname even though it may have been recorded under various spellings. This page offers you the opportunity to enter a surname and receive the Soundex code for that name.
The Soundex Machine
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/soundex/soundex.html


National Archives and Records Administration
Experienced genealogical researchers use clues found in one record to find other records about the same individual. Although the first six federal decennial censuses, taken from 1790 through 1840, contain less data than those taken later, they still contain useful clues that should not be overlooked.
Clues in Census Records, 1790-1840
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/oldclues.html


National Archives and Records Administration
This sites describes some of the clues found in the 1850 to 1920 census records.
Clues in Census Records, 1850-1920
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/cenclues.html


National Archives and Records Administration
Table of contents for the 1790-1890 census microfilm held by NARA.
1790-1890 Federal Population Censuses: Catalog of NARA Microfilm
http://www.nara.gov/publications/microfilm/census/1790-1890/17901890.html


National Archives and Records Administration
The table of contents for the 1900 census microfilm held by NARA.
1900 Federal Population Census: Catalog of NARA Microfilm
http://www.nara.gov/publications/microfilm/census/1900/1900.html


National Archives and Records Administration
The table of contents for the 1910 federal population census microfilm held by NARA.
1910 Federal Population Census: Catalog of NARA Microfilm
http://www.nara.gov/publications/microfilm/census/1910/1910.html


National Archives and Records Administration
The table of contents for the 1920 census microfilm held by NARA.
1920 Federal Population Census: Catalog of NARA Microfilm
http://www.nara.gov/publications/microfilm/census/1920/1920.html


U.S. Census Bureau
General information about the limited genealogical resources and services provided by the Census Bureau.
Genealogy
http://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/


U.S. Census Bureau
The Census Bureau will search the confidential records from the federal population censuses of 1910 to 1990 and issue an official transcript of the results. This is a fee-based service.
Age Search Service
http://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/agesearch.html


U.S. Census Bureau
This is a four-page brochure about census schedules available to the public, access to closed records, contents of each census, and regional office information.
Factfinder for the Nation: Availability of Census Records About Individuals
http://www.census.gov/prod/2/gen/cff/cff-9702.pdf


U.S. Census Bureau
The Census Bureau receives numerous requests to supply information on name frequency. In an effort to comply with those requests, the Census Bureau has embarked on a names list project involving a tabulation of names from the 1990 census. These files contain only the frequency of a given name, no specific individual information.
Frequently Occuring First Names and Surnames from the 1990 Census
http://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/freqnames.html


U.S. Census Bureau
The Census Bureau provides a list of the most frequently asked questions and the responses to those questions.
Genealogy FAQ
http://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/faqgene.txt


U.S. Census Bureau
In 1996, the Census Bureau released "Building a Spanish Surname List for the 1990's - A New Approach to an Old Problem."
Spanish Surname List for the 1990s
http://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/spanname.html





**********************************************************************

Immigration and Naturalization


The Library of Congress
A rather extensive bibliography for general works on immigration and passenger lists.
Immigrant Arrivals: A Guide to Published Sources
http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/bib_guid/immigrant.html


National Archives and Records Administration
Table of contents for the microfilm catalog for immigrant and passenger arrivals.
Immigrant and Passenger Arrivals: Select Catalog of NARA Microfilm Publications
http://www.nara.gov/publications/microfilm/immigrant/immpass.html


National Archives and Records Administration
Immigration records, more commonly known as "ship passenger arrival records," may provide evidence of a person's arrival in the United States, as well as foreign birthplace. NARA has immigration records for various ports for the years 1800-1957.
Immigration Records
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/immigration/immigrat.html


National Archives and Records Administration
Naturalization is the process by which an alien becomes an American citizen. It is a voluntary act; naturailization is not required. Of the foreign-born persons listed on the 1890 through 1930 censues, 25 percent had not become naturalized or filed their "first papers."
Naturalization Records
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/natural.html


National Archives and Records Administration
In general, immigrant women have always had the right to become U.S. citizens, but a succession of laws in the 19th century worked to keep certain women out of the naturalization process.
Women and Naturalization, ca. 1802-1940
http://www.nara.gov/publications/prologue/natural1.html





**********************************************************************

Maps


The Library of Congress
The focus of the Map Collections is Americana and cartographic treasures of the Library of Congress. These images were created from maps and atlases and, in general, are restricted to items that are not covered by copyright protection.
Map Collections: 1544-1996
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/gmdhome.html


The Library of Congress
The panoramic map was a popular cartographic form used to depict U.S. and Canadian cities and towns during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known also as bird's-eye views, perspective maps, and aero views, panoramic maps are nonphotographic representations of cities protrayed as if viewed from above at an oblique angle. Although not generally drawn to scale, they show street patterns, individual buildings, and major landscape features in persepctive.
The Panoramic Maps: 1847-1929
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/pmhtml/panhome.html


The Library of Congress
The railroad maps represent an important historical record, illustrating the growth of travel and settlement as well as the development of industry and agriculture in the United States. They depict the development of cartographic style and technique, highlighting the achievement of early railroaders. Included in the collection are progress report surveys for individual lines, official government surveys, promotional maps, maps showing land grants and rights-of-way, and route guides published by commerical firms.
The Railroad Maps: 1828-1900
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/rrhtml/rrhome.html


USGS National Mapping Information
The Reference Collection and Historical Map Archives was established in 1982 to facilitate access to scientific and technical reports, publications, and information pertinent to USGS mapping research goals. This collection complements, rather than duplicates, the USGS Library Collections. It is classified with the survey's classification system and cataloged under the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2d edition.
USGS National Mapping Division Reference Collection Library and
Historical Map Archives
http://mapping.usgs.gov/html/2library.html





**********************************************************************

Military and Pension Records


Department of the Army
Arlington is one of more than 100 national cemeteris, however, it is the only one of two national cemeteries administered by the Army. The cemetery at the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home in Washington, DC, also falls under the administration of Arlington National Cemetery. More than 3,800 blacks from Freedman's Village are buried at Arlington, their headstones noting their names and the word "civilian" or "citizen".
Arlington National Cemetery
http://www.mdw.army.mil/cemetery.htm


Department of the Navy
The Naval Historical Center Mission is to enhance the Navy's effectiveness by preserving, analyzing, and interpreting its hard-earned experience and history for the Navy and the American people. The site ofers an overview as well as multiple links for researching naval history.
Naval Historical Center
wysiwyg://94/http://www.history.navy.mil/


Department of Veterans Affairs
This is the National Cemetery Administration home page designed to assist you with informtion on national cemeteries administered by the Department Veterans Affairs.
National Cemetery Administration
http://www.cem.va.gov/


National Archives and Records Administration
NARA is the official repository for records of military personnel who have been discharged from the U. S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. Paper copies of military service and pension records held can be ordered by mail from the facility which holds the records.
Access to Military Service and Pension Records
http://www.nara.gov/research/ordering/milordr.html


National Archives and Records Administration
Over 2.8 million men (and a few hundred women) served in the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. This page briefly describes resources for researching the miliary service of individual Civil War soldiers.
Civil War Records
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/civilwar.html


National Archives and Records Administration
This page lists repositories for Confederate pension records. The veteran was eligible to apply for a pension to the State in which he lived, even if he served in a unit from a different State. Some repositories also have records of Confederate Homes (for veterans, widows, etc.), muster rolls of State Confederate militia, and other records related to the war.
Confederate Pension Records
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/confed.html


National Archives and Records Administration
An article by Mitchell Yockelson identifies resources for locating the records of World War I veterans in each branch of service.
Military Service in the U.S. Army during World War I, 1917-1919
http://www.nara.gov/publications/prologue/ww1serv.html


National Archives and Records Administration
This page is the table of contents for NARA's holdings for military service records.
Military Service Records: A Select Catalog of NARA Microfilm Publications
http://www.nara.gov/publications/microfilm/military/service.html


National Archives and Records Administration
Description of the forms to use for requesting miliary and family history records. Instructions for obtaining the forms and returning the forms are included.
Order Forms for Military Service and Family History Records
http://www.nara.gov/research/ordering/ordrfrms.html


National Park Service
There are many sites in the National Park System that include places associated with African-American history during the Civil War period. This page illustrates many of these significant places and events.
African-American Civil War Sites
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/aa-sites.html


National Park Service
The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System is a computerized database containing very basic facts about servicemen who served on both sides during the Civil War; a list of regiments in both the Union and Confederate Armies; identifications and descriptions of 384 significant battles of the war; references that identify the sources of the information in the database; and suggestions for where to find additional information.
Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System (U.S. Colored Troops)
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/


National Park Service
A database of over 230,000 names of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) has been developed by the National Park Service and its partners in the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors (CWSS) project. The current data includes 180 histories of USCT units/regiments and links to the most significant battles they found in.
United States Colored Troops Database
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/usct.html


National Park Service
This page gives an interesting history of African-Americans in the Civil War. Biographies of notable African-American soldiers, along with photographs, are included.
History of African-Americans in the Civil War
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/africanh.html


National Park Service
The National Park Service provides a one-page instruction sheet on obtaining military records and pension files for Union soldiers of the Civil War. Other resources for Confederate soldiers and additional research are also mentioned.
Where should you go to discover more information on Civil War soldiers?
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/cwss4.html





********************************************************************

Miscellaneous Resources


The Library of Congress
Oral history is a way to gather information from people who took part in past events. Oral history involves interviewing those people and recording their answers. The links on this page will provide useful information on how to plan and carry out oral history research.
Using Oral History: Guidelines for Doing Oral History
http://www.cms.ccsd.k12.co.us/ss/SONY/orbeta1/orlguide.htm


National Archives and Records Administration
A table of contents for the NARA microfilm publications on American Indians. Each part is a link to other resources.
American Indians: A Select Catalog of NARA Microfilm Publications
http://www.nara.gov/publications/microfilm/amerindians/indians.html


National Archives and Records Administration
Table of contents for the NARA microfilm catalog for Black Studies. The Record Group is given for ease in locating records during your search.
Black Studies: A Select Catalog of NARA Microfilm Publications
http://www.nara.gov/publications/microfilm/blackstudies/blackstd.html


National Archives and Records Administration
The table of contents for federal court records microfilm publications provides links to other resources on records of the U.S. Supreme Court, U. S. District Courts, naturalization records, land grants, and other court records.
Federal Court Records: A Select Catalog of NARA Microfilm Publications
http://www.nara.gov/publications/microfilm/courts/fedcourt.html


National Archives and Records Administration
An alphabetical listing by agency name of websites that are useful in genealogical research.
Other Federal Agency Websites with Information Useful in Genealogical Research
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/otrfeds.html


National Archives and Records Administration
Post office records may deliver interesting information to the genealogical researcher seeking more information about an ancestor or an ancestor's community. Microfilmed records include postmater appointment records and records showing the location of post offices.
Post Office Records
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/postal.html


National Archives and Records Administration
Records of the Social Security Administration relating to individuals are not in the National Archives. However, this page describes information that may assist you in locating these records.
Social Security Records
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/socsec.html





********************************************************************

Publications


The Library of Congress
Genealogical periodicals offer many sources of hidden information for the genealogy researcher. Because they are valuable tools for research, consulting periodicals and their indexes should be a part of every genealogist's search strategy. This page is a guide indentifying the major genealogical periodicals and indexes that are available in the Library of Congress Local History and Genealogy Reading Room.
Genealogical Periodicals: A Guide for Research
http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/bib_guid/genperio.html


The Library of Congress
A selected list of references compiled for the beginning genealogist. The list includes introductory books for U.S. genealogical research.
Guides to Genealogical Research
http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/bib_guid/guideres.html


The Library of Congress
This is an extensive resource for foreign genealogical research. Included are: subject headings for research at the Library of Congress; handbooks by country available at the Library of Congress; and, a very large bibliography organized by country.
Handbooks for Foreign Genealogical Research
http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/bib_guid/foreign.html


The Library of Congress
This guide was prepared primarily as an aid for those who are researching Irish genealogy and local history at the Library of Congress, but it is also useful for those searching in other large libraries. It is not comprehensive and is intended to be supplemental. The resources are categorized by: handbooks, pedigress and family histories, bibliographies, local history, biographical information, land, property and other records, maps, atlases and gazetteers, names (geographical, names (personal), periodicals, religions, wills, emigration, and Irish in America.
Sources for Research in Irish Genealogy
http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/bib_guid/ireland.html


National Archives and Records Administration
Another table of contents for a catalog of NARA microfilm publications on genealogy and biographical research.
Genealogical and Biographical Research:
A Select Catalog of National Archives Microfilm Publications
http://www.nara.gov/publications/micro.html#biores


National Archives and Records Administration
A vast array of publications is available from the National Archives. This page provides links to information about available publications, including guides and indexes to collections in specific areas, catalogs of microfilmed reocrds, and special archival publications, that will be useful to researchers.
NARA Publications
http://www.nara.gov/publications/pubindex.html


National Archives and Records Administration
A list of print and online sources that answer basic genealogical and biographical information about particular individuals. The books listed are available in many state libraries, public libraries, and university libraries. This list is updated periodically with new categories and titles.
Print and Online Sources That Answer Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/refbook.html


**************************************************************