If you're family research has hit a brickwall try these resources

If your family research has hit a brickwall and the usual search of census returns and vital records has led you down a dead-end road, consider the following overlooked resources.

Funeral and Memorial Cards

If you can't locate an ancestor's death certificate or obituary, try scouring great grandma's attic for funeral cards. About the size of a playing card these documents can jump-start your family research.

Funeral cards vary in the type of information they contain, but at a minimum, they list your ancestor's name and date of death. Often, these cards will list the name of a spouse, birthdate, funeral details and burial location.

The following is a sample picture of a funeral card:

Local Newspapers

Local newspapers are a great family research tool. If you think your ancestor wasn't important enough to be mentioned in print, then think again!

Newspapers for small towns and villages were chock full of information about the comings and goings of your ancestor. Often you will find a single line that might read: "Mrs. Abigale Smith went to the market today for fresh eggs". Or, "Gertie Hatfield has taken the train to Newmarket to visit friends."

Today this kind of information seems mundane and somewhat amusing, but it was important stuff back then!

Local newspapers are also a great place to find obituaries. Over 100 years ago most of your ancestors simply couldn't afford to place an obituary in the main-stream papers. However, in the local newspaper, their passing may have warranted a full-page article!

Check you public library and archives for microfilmed copies of local newspapers.

Local Histories

Local histories are an important source of information for your family research. Genealogical societies, local museums and individuals are busy compiling works about your ancestors.

These type of publications have been around for centuries, so don't limit your search to more recent works. A word of caution! Always read these books with a critical eye. Misinformation is commonplace and authors don't always cite their sources.

Check your public library or the Mormon's on-line Family History Catalog to find a local history that is important to your family research. Mormon Resources

City Directories

City Directories are valuable to your family research because they can help fill in the blanks between census years.

Similar to a telephone book, city directories were privately published by companies that made money by selling subscriptions or advertisements.

So, how can they help your family research? City directories are arranged alphabetically which makes it easy to search for your ancestor's last name. Entries are arranged by the male head-of-household. You'll find your ancestor's name, occupation, the street address of his house, spouse's name and often the names of his children.

City directories also let you perform reverse searches. For example, if an entry says your grandfather lived at 15 Apple Orchard Street you can search for this address. This will provide you with a list of neighbours and even other relatives who lived on his street.

If a city directory mentions that your grandfather worked at "J&H Company" perform a quick search for the company name. You might find a picture of the business and other valuable details.

Remember to search as many years as possible for your ancestors. This will give you a much more complete picture of their lives.

School Records

You're probably not sure how school records can help your family research. Let me offer you my own brief example.

My grandfather passed away at the young age of 36 years old - long before I was born. In an effort to fill in as many detail of his life as I could, my family research took me to the "Guidance Office" at the highschool he attended in the 1930's.

I didn't know exactly what I was looking. Worse, I didn't really think the school would have bothered to keep his records for over 70 years. I felt like I was betting on a lottery.

To my surprise, the clerk handed me a small box containing a gold-mine of information! I found an "admission card" that provided full details about my grandfather's birthdate, parents and the house where he lived. I learned that his dad was a "turnkey" (guard). I never knew that!

Report cards revealed that my grandfather's best subjects were English and math. Other documents revealed that he suddenly left highschool in grade 10 and never returned.

Use your imagination when trying to locate these records. Write or call the school where your ancestor attended. Check your public library. If your ancestor attended a university their archives may be able to help. Return to Home Page from Family Research