How to Search Genealogy Resources (Start Here)
Genealogy research draws from census records, vital records, immigration records, military records, and church records. This page links to the major national genealogy databases.
What this page covers: National Archives records, FamilySearch.org, immigration records, Social Security Death Index, and research guides. What it does not cover: State vital records (those are on each state page).
Where to start: Start with FamilySearch.org — it is free and has the largest collection of digitized genealogy records. For immigration records, try the Ellis Island database or National Archives.
Common mistake: Not all genealogy records are online. Many pre-1900 records exist only on microfilm or in physical archives.
African-American Census Schedules
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Search for census schedules and records that include African Americans, Slaves, or Persons of Color.
Castle Garden Immigration (pre-Ellis Island)
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Castle Garden was America's first Immigration Center and preceded Ellis Island as the entry point for most immigrants.
Cherokee Tribe | 1909 Eastern Roll
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Guion Miller Roll for "the names of all persons applying for compensation arising from the judgment of the United States Court of Claims on May 28.
Colonial, Revolutionary & Civil War Maps
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University of Georgia Libraries collection of rare maps of the New World, Colonial America, Revolutionary America, American Civil War.
Ellis Island Immigration Records
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Ellis Island Immigration original ship manifests and passenger search.
Irish Famine Immigrants
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Provided by: The National Archives and Records Administration. Search by name, date, manifest number, etc.
Japanese Immigrants to the United States 1887-1924
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Search this BYU Idaho database by name for Immigrants from Japan who arrived in the United States between 1887 and 1924.
Jewish Databases
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JewishGen U.S. databases, including burial registries, immigrants, passport applications, family finder, immigrants, obituaries, marriages, passage.
Making of America | Social History
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Making of America (MOA) digital library of American social history from the antebellum period through reconstruction.
Slavery Era Insurance Registry
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California Department of Insurance's alphabetical lists of slavery era slaveholders and slave names.
Vital Records
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Information on where and how to access birth, death, marriage, and divorce records in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FamilySearch.org really free? ▼
Yes. It is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and provides free access to billions of historical records.
Where do I find immigration records? ▼
For Ellis Island arrivals (1892-1957), use the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Foundation database. For broader records, use the National Archives.
How far back can I trace records? ▼
U.S. census records go back to 1790. Some church and colonial records go back to the 1600s.
Other Federal Databases
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