When you finally get on the road for your research trip, plan on visiting seven locations in every area where your family lived. Those seven places are:
The Local Library – Most libraries have a “local history” collection. They may vary in size dramatically. I’ve been in some that had extensive collections and dedicated over 1000 square feet to the history of the area. I’ve also been in libraries that were just the opposite. I was once in a library, that when I asked to see the local history section, the librarian reached under the counter, and pulled out what amounted to a milk crate. In it was the entire collection. While in Washington, Indiana a few years ago, I found that the local history room was small, not over 150 square feet at the most. But it was packed with good stuff. While there, I found a file of 3×5 cards with surnames and the names of people who were interested in those names – with addresses! I found that we had relatives living just a few blocks away.
Relatives – Check the local telephone directory – or better yet, before you go, go online to Facebook and see if you can find folks that you think may be related. Contact them, and then go have a visit while on the trip. If you’ve been corresponded with folks from the area, stop and visit.
Historical Society – Check to see if there is an historical society in the area. If so, obtain the hours and be sure and visit the area when they are open. A letter sent ahead about your coming visit to the area can’t hurt either.
Courthouse – Plan on visiting the local courthouse. There you can search such things as marriage, land, probate, and court records. In some cases, they may even have birth and death records for the area.
Town Hall – The town hall is another important place to stop, especially in the Northeast. There you can find everything from records of the town cemetery to vital records and even minutes of the selectmen of the town.
Funeral Homes – The local funeral home can be of great help. If the town is small, you may want to make an appointment, since many of the small mortuaries are now owned by larger ones, and there may be no one around on a regular basis. Also – the records may be kept in a nearby community. The funeral home folks may be able to tell you where to locate the cemeteries – even small and obscure ones.
Cemeteries – Not only can you enjoy photographing the headstones of your ancestors, but you may find relatives that you may not even know lived. Before going to the cemetery, be sure and find out where the records are, because they may not be at the cemetery at all. They may be at the town hall, local funeral home, church, or even someone’s home.
Enjoy your next genealogy vacation!