Primary & Secondary Primary & Secondary SourcesSources

www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.aspwww.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp Steps 6 & 7 Steps 6 & 7Primary SourcesPrimary Sources (Original) – is a record of an (Original) – is a record of an event written, spoken or photographed by an event written, spoken or photographed by an eyewitness or that event at or near the time eyewitness or that event at or near the time of the event. Recorded by someone with of the event. Recorded by someone with firsthand knowledge of the facts.firsthand knowledge of the facts.

Secondary sourceSecondary source (copied) – is written record (copied) – is written record of the event that was created long after the of the event that was created long after the event occurred. Usually by someone not event occurred. Usually by someone not directly associated with the event.directly associated with the event.

Primary SourcesPrimary Sources

►LettersLetters►Eyewitness newspaper accountsEyewitness newspaper accounts►Ship passenger listsShip passenger lists►DiariesDiaries►Deeds and other land ownership recordsDeeds and other land ownership records►Baptismal certificatesBaptismal certificates►Photographs of family reunionsPhotographs of family reunions►Business ledgers and notes in the Business ledgers and notes in the

marginsmargins

► Military recordsMilitary records► Family bibles with listings of births, Family bibles with listings of births,

marriages and family eventsmarriages and family events► Census recordsCensus records► Home videosHome videos► Voice recordings, oral historiesVoice recordings, oral histories► Immigration recordsImmigration records► WillsWills

► It is from these sources that we can It is from these sources that we can gain valuable insight into the gain valuable insight into the personality or our ancestors.personality or our ancestors.

Primary sources still can have Primary sources still can have potential shortcomingspotential shortcomings

►Eyewitnesses can unintentionally Eyewitnesses can unintentionally distort his or her perception of an distort his or her perception of an event event

►Recording the wrong datesRecording the wrong dates Example of a college class:Example of a college class:

►Someone came into the class and shot the Someone came into the class and shot the professor after the shock of the mock professor after the shock of the mock shooting, all were asked to record what they shooting, all were asked to record what they saw. It was amazing that there was little saw. It was amazing that there was little similarity between the accounts.similarity between the accounts.

Vital RecordsVital Records

► These are records of life’s eventsThese are records of life’s events► Birth, death, marriage, divorceBirth, death, marriage, divorce► The government started to require records of The government started to require records of

vital recordsvital records► These records are maintained by the level of These records are maintained by the level of

government closest to where the event took government closest to where the event took placeplace

► Before the 1900’s records found at local Before the 1900’s records found at local communitycommunity

► After 1900’s either the local or state level After 1900’s either the local or state level would have the recordswould have the records

► It is rare to be able to see the It is rare to be able to see the actual records unless:actual records unless: Write to the appropriate officeWrite to the appropriate office Supply the correct amount of moneySupply the correct amount of money If the records are available you If the records are available you

requestedrequested The biggest challenge is knowing the The biggest challenge is knowing the

correct place to send for vital recordscorrect place to send for vital records►Ancestry’s Red BookAncestry’s Red Book►The source BookThe source Book►Use the internet Use the internet http://vitalrec.com/http://vitalrec.com/

General guidelines to follow General guidelines to follow when sending for vital recordswhen sending for vital records

►Determine the correct costDetermine the correct cost►Determine the correct address, phone Determine the correct address, phone

number and namenumber and name►Supply as much information as possibleSupply as much information as possible►Enclose paymentEnclose payment►Provide a self-addressed, stamped Provide a self-addressed, stamped

envelopeenvelope►Be patient for your reply, can take 2 or 3 Be patient for your reply, can take 2 or 3

letter to complete the processletter to complete the process

Using the information foundUsing the information found

►Always use the information given exactly Always use the information given exactly as it is in the original source. Especially as it is in the original source. Especially the spelling.the spelling.

►Make any notes on your logs.Make any notes on your logs.►Do not make assumptions about any Do not make assumptions about any

data.data.►Make sure you file the information found Make sure you file the information found

in the correct folder or binder.in the correct folder or binder.►Place a copy of your source in your filing Place a copy of your source in your filing

system.system.

Secondary SourcesSecondary Sources

►2 fundamental rules2 fundamental rules Document your sources, write down the Document your sources, write down the

identifying source, even if you find identifying source, even if you find nothing, note thatnothing, note that

Verify any information, use of compiled Verify any information, use of compiled sources can lead you to the original sources can lead you to the original sourcesource

Examples of Secondary Examples of Secondary SourcesSources

►Family histories and local historiesFamily histories and local histories Does the book contain relevant Does the book contain relevant

information to your projectinformation to your project How is the book structuredHow is the book structured Does the book have an index of names or Does the book have an index of names or

placesplaces If the book does not have an index, use If the book does not have an index, use

patience and perseverancepatience and perseverance

Organization of historiesOrganization of histories

► Take time to skim the contentsTake time to skim the contents How was the work organized How was the work organized Who is the key personWho is the key person What format does the book useWhat format does the book use When was it publishedWhen was it published Who is the authorWho is the author Is there and indexIs there and index

► Learn the numbering system used in the Learn the numbering system used in the bookbook

► Verify all information foundVerify all information found

Town and County HistoriesTown and County Histories

► Virtually every village, town, city, county or Virtually every village, town, city, county or state has had someone write a published state has had someone write a published history.history. Historical contextHistorical context Day-to-day life, which allows you to have a Day-to-day life, which allows you to have a

glimpse of what the townspeople did for a living, glimpse of what the townspeople did for a living, where they shopped, how they farmed and where they shopped, how they farmed and where they paid their taxeswhere they paid their taxes

They can even provide a history of the peopleThey can even provide a history of the people They can provide births, deaths and marriages They can provide births, deaths and marriages

that occurred in that area.that occurred in that area.

Libraries worth checkingLibraries worth checking

►Family History LibraryFamily History Library►Library of Congress in Washington D.C.Library of Congress in Washington D.C.►State Libraries (usually located at the State Libraries (usually located at the

state’s capital)state’s capital)►Heritage Quest (use your library card Heritage Quest (use your library card

to access)to access)

Genealogical DictionariesGenealogical Dictionaries

►Multi-volume sets of booksMulti-volume sets of books DUP “Pioneer Women of Faith and DUP “Pioneer Women of Faith and

Fortitude”Fortitude” ““Heart Throbs of the West”Heart Throbs of the West”

►Frequently female family members are Frequently female family members are left outleft out

►Check the card or computer catalog at Check the card or computer catalog at the library for these general sourcesthe library for these general sources

Assorted Compiled SourcesAssorted Compiled Sources

►Family association NewslettersFamily association Newsletters►Genealogical Society NewslettersGenealogical Society Newsletters►Historical Society PublicationsHistorical Society Publications►Ethnic Society PublicationsEthnic Society Publications►Newspaper ObituariesNewspaper Obituaries►Published Cemetery InscriptionsPublished Cemetery Inscriptions►BiographiesBiographies►College YearbooksCollege Yearbooks

Primary Primary SecondarySecondary

Death Death CertificateCertificate

Date of Death, name of Date of Death, name of decedent, residence at decedent, residence at time of death, cause of time of death, cause of deathdeath

Birth date of decedent, Birth date of decedent, birthplace, parents’ birthplace, parents’ names and birthplacesnames and birthplaces

Birth RecordBirth Record Name of child, date and Name of child, date and place of birth, parents; place of birth, parents; names, residence at birthnames, residence at birth

Parent’s ages and Parent’s ages and birthplacesbirthplaces

Census Census RecordsRecords

Names of person, Names of person, relationships, residence, relationships, residence, occupation at the timeoccupation at the time

Birthplaces of adults, Birthplaces of adults, parent’s birthplaces, parent’s birthplaces, year of immigrationyear of immigration

ObituaryObituary Name of person, current Name of person, current residence, survivors at residence, survivors at the time, burial the time, burial informationinformation

Parent’s birth date and Parent’s birth date and place, migration place, migration information, early information, early occupationsoccupations

Passenger Passenger listlist

Name of person, date of Name of person, date of arrival, previous arrival, previous residence, destinationresidence, destination

BirthplaceBirthplace

Web SitesWeb Sites

► Primary & Secondary Sources Primary & Secondary Sources http://www.genealogy.com/genealogy/tip12.http://www.genealogy.com/genealogy/tip12.htmlhtml

► How to cite your sources How to cite your sources http://progenealogists.com/citationguide.hthttp://progenealogists.com/citationguide.htmm

► Genealogy help web site Genealogy help web site http://genhelp.org/index.phphttp://genhelp.org/index.php

► Use the “Printed Sources” book pages 4-12 Use the “Printed Sources” book pages 4-12 (most libraries have this book, or see (most libraries have this book, or see Cathie’s copy)Cathie’s copy)