Keep In Mind Records Reflect Life Cycle

When looking for records documenting an ancestor’s life, think in terms of the person’s life cycle.

A person’s life cycle can be measured by the various records created during his lifetime which we use to document his life.

These records might be accessed in person, correspondence or on microfilm in various libraries.

Of course, the first event in the life cycle was your ancestor’s birth. Assume there is a notation of that birth recorded somewhere and search the records accordingly. Possibilities might include civil records from town or county records, church or parish records, possibly newspapers and certainly, family records - a baby book, birth announcement, telegram.

The next event in the life of your ancestor would be the person’s christening. In European countries, where civil registration did not begin until well into the late 19th century, church or parish records of the baptism are likely the only birth documentation you will find. The difficulty with this is finding the exact church where the birth is recorded.

If your ancestor was lucky, he or she attended school. Early school records are often found housed by local historical societies - not school districts. If your ancestor went to college, consider alumni records and fraternity or sorority records.

Usually the next part of your ancestor’s life cycle involved one of three paths, or a combination of all three: military, employment and marriage.

The National Archives, the National Personnel Records Center or Veterans Affairs are places to begin looking for records concerning your ancestor’s military service. Search for service records, pension records and draft records for those who served in 20th century.

Employment was a major part of your ancestor’s life cycle. Did he farm, work for himself in a small business, or was he part of a large corporation? Each type of business generated records. These records might still be housed with his company of employment or in a local historical society. Tax records always reflect an ancestor’s employment.

Marriage had to have been a part of your ancestor’s life cycle or you wouldn’t be here searching for him or her. Look for marriage documentation in civil records, church or parish records, newspapers and family records.

If you don’t know when or where your ancestors’ marriage took place, make a guess from the date and place of their first child’s birth.

During the adult portion of your ancestor’s life cycle, he or she will be found mentioned on U.S. censuses. These public records are available from 1790 through 1920. As the years passed, the government collected more information on its citizens - so search the most recent censuses first.

If your ancestor was a good citizen, he or she (after 1919) voted, so examine voter registration records. If they weren’t good citizens, look for them in court and jail records. Mention of your ancestor might be found in club or fraternal records created during the adult portion of his or her life cycle.

Look for their names in city directories, county histories and newspaper articles.

The final part of your ancestor’s life concerns records of death: obituary, funeral home and cemetery records. Search for each one since each record adds a piece to complete the puzzle of your ancestor’s life.

, DataTimes MEMO: Donna Potter Phillips welcomes letters from readers. Write to her at The Spokesman-Review, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. For a response, please include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Donna Potter Phillips The Spokesman-Review