Guides, strategies, and practical approaches for researching family history. This section explores how genealogists use records, archives, maps, DNA, local history, and critical thinking to reconstruct the lives of past generations.
Genealogy Definition What Are Letters of Administration? Letters of Administration help genealogists uncover inheritance, next-of-kin relationships, estate management, and the legal process followed when someone died without leaving a valid will. Short Definition Letters of Administration are legal documents issued by a court giving someone authority to manage the estate of a person who died … Read more
Genealogy Definition What Does Intestate Mean? Intestate records help genealogists uncover inheritance patterns, family relationships, and estate administration when an ancestor died without leaving a valid will. Short Definition In genealogy and legal records, intestate means a person died without leaving a valid will. When someone died intestate, their estate was distributed according to the … Read more
Genealogy Definition What Are Death and Burial Records? Death records and burial records are closely connected, but they were created for different purposes and can reveal different types of information about an ancestor’s life, death, family, religion, and community. Short Definition Death records and burial records are not the same thing, although they are closely … Read more
Genealogy Definition What Are Marriage Records? Marriage records help genealogists connect families, generations, communities, and collateral relatives by documenting the legal or religious union between two people. Short Definition Marriage records are documents created to record a marriage or the events surrounding it. In genealogy, marriage records are incredibly valuable because they often connect generations … Read more
Genealogy Definition What Are Marriage Records? Marriage records help genealogists connect families, generations, communities, and collateral relatives by documenting the legal or religious union between two people. Short Definition Marriage records are documents created to record a marriage or the events surrounding it. In genealogy, marriage records are incredibly valuable because they often connect generations … Read more
Genealogy Definition What Is the Difference Between Parish Registers and Civil Registrations? Parish registers and civil registration records document many of the same life events, but they were created by entirely different systems for very different purposes. Short Definition Parish registers and civil registration records are not the same thing. Parish registers were usually created … Read more
Genealogy Definition What Is a Census Return? Census returns are some of the most valuable genealogy records because they capture entire households at a specific moment in time and help researchers trace families across generations. Short Definition A census return is an official government record created during a census that lists people living in a … Read more
Genealogy Definition What Is a Will? Wills are some of the most personal genealogy records because they often reveal family relationships, property, priorities, and the final wishes of past generations. Short Definition A will is a legal document that explains what someone wanted to happen to their money, property, possessions, and estate after they died. … Read more
Genealogy Definition What Is Probate? Probate records can reveal family relationships, property, inheritance, and personal details that often don’t survive anywhere else in the historical record. Short Definition Probate is the legal process of dealing with someone’s estate after they die. In genealogy, probate records can help uncover family relationships, property, occupations, locations, and details … Read more
Genealogy Definition What Is Civil Registration? Civil registration records are some of the most important sources in genealogy because they officially document births, marriages, and deaths through government systems. Short Definition Civil registration is the government recording of births, marriages, and deaths. In genealogy, civil registration records are some of the most important sources used … Read more