Finding Ancestral Places of Origin
Locating the place of origin for immigrant ancestors can be one of the most frustrating searches encountered by genealogists and historians. While this challenge applies more for immigrants to the United States or Canada, American-born ancestors may present this same issue regarding the birthplace. This can be particularly frustrating if living parents, grandparents, or other family members refuse to discuss any events, facts, or individuals related to the past.
The following list of United States record types have a proven track record for successful research. These records apply to foreign and United States places of origin or birth. For a more complete listing of records that cover this topic, feel free to email me at the address listed at the end of this article.
- Alien Registrations
- Baptismal/Christenings and Other Church Records
- Bible Records
- Census Records (Federal and States)
- Civil Birth, Death, and Marriage Records/Applications (Don't Forget French-Canadian Catholic Church Marriages When Applicable)
- Civil/Criminal Court Records
- Delayed Birth Certificates
- Diaries and Journals
- Military Enlistment and Service Records
- Naturalization Records and Court Proceedings
- Newspaper Obituaries and/or Stories (Anniversaries, Personal Profiles, and Weddings)
- Ship Passenger Arrival and Departure Records
If the subject of your search has a unique or unusual surname in a given locality, a general search in these and similar records may yield valuable clues. In other cases, you may need to search for neighbors and/or acquaintances to uncover the information.