This checklist is a list of possible items in the home that can provide valuable genealogical information. At home is the best place to start. The genealogy process is to start with the known and work to the unknown. Check off the items as you complete your search for them.
PERSONAL RECORDS |
CERTIFICATES |
FAMILY RECORDS |
ÿ Journal |
ÿ Birth |
ÿ Bible |
ÿ Diary |
ÿ Marriage |
ÿ Pedigrees |
ÿ Biography |
ÿ Death |
ÿ Family Group Sheets |
ÿ Letters |
ÿ Divorce |
ÿ Genealogies |
ÿ Photographs |
ÿ Adoption |
ÿ Books of Remembrance |
ÿ Autograph Album |
ÿ Graduation |
ÿ Family Bulletins / Letters |
ÿ Personal Knowledge |
ÿ Christening / Blessing |
ÿ Family Histories |
ÿ Baby Book |
ÿ Baptism |
ÿ Printed Histories |
ÿ Wedding Book |
ÿ Confirmation |
ÿ Manuscript Histories |
ÿ Scrapbooks |
ÿ Ordination |
ÿ Local Histories |
ÿ Funeral Book |
ÿ Ministerial / Missionary |
ÿ Family Traditions |
ÿ Guest register |
ÿ Membership |
ÿ Letters & Postcards |
ÿ Travel Account/Log |
ÿ Apprenticeship |
|
ÿ Bookplates |
ÿ Achievements/Awards |
|
|
|
|
MILITARY RECORDS |
LEGAL PAPERS |
ANNOUNCEMENTS |
ÿ Military Service |
ÿ Wills |
ÿ Wedding |
ÿ Pension |
ÿ Deeds |
ÿ Birth |
ÿ Disability |
ÿ Land Grants |
ÿ Death |
ÿ Discharge |
ÿ Water Rights |
ÿ Funeral |
ÿ National Guard |
ÿ Mortgages |
ÿ Graduation |
ÿ Selective Service |
ÿ Leases |
ÿ Divorce |
ÿ Bounty Award |
ÿ Bonds |
ÿ Anniversary |
ÿ Service Medals |
ÿ Loans |
ÿ Memorial Cards |
ÿ Ribbons / Sword |
ÿ Contracts |
ÿ New Job / Promotion |
ÿ Firearms |
ÿ Summons / Subpoenas |
ÿ Travel |
ÿ Uniform |
ÿ Tax Notices |
ÿ New Home |
ÿ Citations |
ÿ Guardian Papers |
ÿ Birthday Celebration |
ÿ Separation papers |
ÿ Abstracts of Title |
ÿ Professional |
ÿ War Rosters/Memorials |
ÿ Adoption Papers |
ÿ Engagement |
|
|
|
MEMBERSHIP RECORDS |
HEALTH RECORDS |
SCHOOL RECORDS |
ÿ Member ID Cards |
ÿ X-rays |
ÿ Diplomas / Transcripts |
ÿ Publications |
ÿ Insurance Reports |
ÿ Report Cards |
ÿ Programs |
ÿ Hospital Records |
ÿ Awards / Honor Roll |
ÿ Uniforms |
ÿ Medical Records |
ÿ Yearbooks / Publications |
ÿ Awards |
ÿ Immunizations |
ÿ Alumni Lists / Frats/Sororities |
|
|
|
CITIZENSHIP PAPERS |
NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS |
LICENSES |
ÿ Naturalization |
ÿ Announcements |
ÿ Business |
ÿ Denegation / Denials |
ÿ Obituaries |
ÿ Occupation |
ÿ Alien Registration |
ÿ Special Events |
ÿ Professional |
ÿ Deportment |
ÿ Vital Statistics |
ÿ Hunting |
ÿ Passport |
ÿ Home Town Newspapers |
ÿ Firearms |
ÿ Visa |
ÿ Professional / Trade |
ÿ Drivers |
ÿ Vaccination |
ÿ Human Interest |
ÿ Motor Vehicle Registration |
|
|
|
EMPLOYMENT RECORDS |
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS |
BOOKS |
ÿ Apprenticeship / Graduation |
ÿ Silverware |
ÿ Atlases |
ÿ Awards / Citations |
ÿ Needlework |
ÿ Yearbooks |
ÿ Severance papers |
ÿ Sampler |
ÿ Test books |
ÿ Social Security |
ÿ Tapestries |
ÿ Prizes |
ÿ Retirement papers |
ÿ Dishes |
ÿ Treasured Volumes |
ÿ Pension / IRA / 401k |
ÿ Friendship Quilt |
ÿ Vocational |
ÿ Union / Professional Assoc. |
ÿ Coat of Arms |
ÿ Foreign Language |
ÿ Income tax |
ÿ Insignias |
ÿ Inscriptions |
|
ÿ Souvenirs |
ÿ Bibles |
FINANCIAL RECORDS |
ÿ Clothing |
ÿ Journals |
ÿ Accounts / Receipts |
ÿ Tools |
ÿ Baby book |
ÿ Bills / Check Stubs |
ÿ Plaques |
|
ÿ Estate records |
ÿ Engraved Jewelry |
|
|
|
|
When valuable information if found carefully document the source of that information. This procedure allows both you and others to return to original sources. Moreover, you can evaluate the quality of the source material if conflicting information arises from other sources. Keep a log of resources consulted. Note briefly what was found. If you didn't locate the information you were seeking, note that also. You will save yourself hours of unnecessary rechecking