Below is a list of different types of “home sources” that you may come across in your research, that you should think of as clues in the greater narrative of your research subjects. This is one of the first places you should look when starting genealogy research. Search your home, your parents, and your grandparents, or any relatives and close family friends or neighbors (or ask them to do it for you).
Think about why these things were saved and what these objects may have meant to your relatives - the very fact that they were saved means they were valued at some point. Do not take anything without permission, and always try to copy or scan the originals. If you don’t have access to a scanner see if you can borrow the items to take to a library or office store that will allow you to use their scanners. You may also take photographs.
Catalog and index all your findings, and list as much information as possible. Identify those in pictures with names, relationships, and times. Write down where you found this, and if the person sharing it with you mentioned anything.
Take all your information and add it to your research notes - did you uncover anything new? While we all hope to find treasures like marriage certificates or family bibles, even the smallest clue like a prayer card can tell you what church your ancestor belonged to, and lead you to your next steps of contacting that church for records.
When you’re ready, expand your search of home sources to local thrift stores, antique stores, and used book stores. Even local museums or historical societies may have artifacts related to your ancestors.
| List of Home Sources | |
|---|---|
| Address Books | |
| Adoption Records | Adoption paperwork, foster records, guardianship documents |
| Artwork | |
| Baby Scrapbooks | |
| Baptism Certificates | Baptism or Christening, First Communion, Confirmation, and other sacraments or religious documents |
| Birth Certificates | |
| Books | Local history books, biographies, yearbooks, scrapbooks |
| Cassette Tapes | |
| Coat of Arms | |
| Cookbooks | Handwritten or family recipes and cookbooks, or community cookbooks from local schools and churches |
| Court Documents | Legal paperwork, contracts, subpoenas, patent awards and applications, wills and probate records |
| Death Certificates | |
| Divorce Records | |
| Employment Records | Applications, checks and pay stubs, name badges, uniforms, reviews, references, awards, retirement information, union or membership associations, badges |
| Family Bible | |
| Financial Records | Accounting books, ledgers, receipts, bills, checkbooks |
| Funeral Records | Prayer cards, programs, receipts |
| Furniture | |
| Greeting Cards | |
| Guest Books | From homes, weddings, showers, funerals |
| Heirlooms | And other family keepsakes |
| Household Items | Dishes, pottery, silverware, souvenirs |
| Immigration Records | Naturalization applications, citizenship papers, alien registration cards, passenger lists, passports, passport applications, visas |
| Insurance Paperwork | |
| Jewelry | Including that with inscriptions, engravings, or insignias |
| Journals | Diaries, scrapbooks |
| Letters | And other correspondence, i.e. from soldiers at war |
| Licenses | Drivers, business, hunting, firearm, professional |
| Marriage Records | Certificates |
| Medical Records | Hospital records, immunization records, x-rays, hospital bracelets |
| Membership Records | Pins, medallions, ID cards, books or programs, rosters, applications |
| Military Records | Medals, ribbons, awards, citations, muster rolls, discharges, disability records, pensions, uniforms, firearms, swords, veterans paperwork |
| Newspaper Clippings | Obituaries, engagement and marriage notices, funeral notices, anniversaries, births, memorials, events, local newspapers |
| Photographs | Also film negatives, slides |
| Postcards | |
| Quilts | And needlepoints, samplers, blankets, and other tapestries |
| Real Estate Records | Deeds, mortgages, tax notices |
| School Records | Yearbooks, honor societies, report cards, scholarships, transcripts, diplomas, awards, graduation programs |
| Social Security Cards | And applications |
| Stamp Collections | And other collections |
| VHS Tapes and DVDs | Home movies, wedding tapes |
| Wedding Albums | And scrapbooks, wedding rings |
See also: Transcribing Records and Preserving Records
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