Step 3= check sources for original research

A. Preliminary materials
□ family and home sources = vital statistics, memorabilia, original family documents
□ directories = residence, occupation

B. Vital records (civil and church)
□ birth or christening = date and place of birth, parentage, religion
□ marriage = date and place of marriage, age, parents, witnesses
□ death = date and place of death and birth, spouse, cause of death, burial place
□ cemetery, sexton = age, death date and place, spouse, residence, birth

C. Census records
□ indexes = year, state and county of residence [most on Internet]
□ federal enumerations = age, occupation, residence, place of origin, family
□ state and special lists = age, occupation, residence, origin, family

D. Probate court records
□ wills = family links, property ownership, place of death
□ administrations, etc. = relatives, property settlement

E. Land and property records
□ deeds or mortgages = spouse, residence, property ownership
□ grants and surveys = residence, property ownership

F. Court records
□ civil and criminal = lawsuits, debts, occupation, lifestyle
□ adoption, guardianship = relatives, lifestyle
□ divorce = vital statistics, family links, residences

G. Naturalization and citizenship records
□ declarations of intention = birth date and place, arrival, residence
□ petitions = birth date and place, arrival, residence, occupation, etc.
□ oaths, final certificates = place or court of prior naturalization applications

H. Emigration and immigration records
□ passenger lists = age, occupation, origin, family members, arrival [many online]
□ border crossings = birthplace, relatives, arrival, occupation [check online]
□ passport applications = birth date and place, occupation, description [most online]

I. Military records
□ pension files = age, spouse, heirs, occupation, residence, birthplace
□ service files = rank, unit, age, physical description
□ bounty land records = age, residence, military service

J. Miscellaneous records
□ tax, school, voting, commercial = residence, occupation, age
□ lineage society files = biography, family links, vital statistics
□ newspapers, obituaries = vital statistics, residence, occupation
□ others (family Bibles, funeral homes, prisons, etc.)