Difference between revisions of "Sources"
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=== Military === | === Military === | ||
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* Enlistment lists | * Enlistment lists | ||
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* [[Draft lottery|Draft lottery documents]] | * [[Draft lottery|Draft lottery documents]] | ||
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* Medals | * Medals | ||
* MIA - Missing in Action | * MIA - Missing in Action | ||
* Deserters | * Deserters | ||
* Pension applications | * Pension applications | ||
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=== Personal Documents === | === Personal Documents === | ||
* Diaries | * Diaries | ||
* Correspondence | * Correspondence | ||
* Household bills | * Household bills | ||
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== Other Possible Sources == | == Other Possible Sources == | ||
* Bibles | * Bibles | ||
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* Genealogical society records | * Genealogical society records | ||
* Oral recordings | * Oral recordings | ||
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[[Category:Sources]] | [[Category:Sources]] |
Revision as of 08:53, 9 May 2010
Sources play a key role in genealogy.
Contents
Definition
A source is anything (personal testimony, video recording, photograph, newspaper column, gravestone...) from which (genealogical) information can be derived.
It is useful to make the following distinctions between sources:
- Primary source: firsthand evidence of history, made at the time of the event. For example, diaries, certificates, newspapers, ...
- Secondary source: accounts of history based upon primary and secondary sources, offering commentary and analysis, such as history books, genealogical publications,...
- Tertiary source: a selection and compilation from primary and secondary sources. For example, library catalogues, bibliographies, ...
Most important genealogical sources
Official documents
- Birth certificates
- Still births
- Marriage certificates
- Divorces
- Death certificates
- Official name changes
- Naturalization records
Religious documents
- Baptism records
- Marriage records
- Burial records
Legal documents
- Court cases
- Notary documents
- Probate records
Migration
- Passenger lists
- Record of landing
Residences
- Census records
- Property documents
- Phone books
- City directories
Final resting places
- Cemetery list of interments
- War graves
Military
- Enlistment lists
- Draft lottery documents
- Medals
- MIA - Missing in Action
- Deserters
- Pension applications
Personal Documents
- Diaries
- Correspondence
- Household bills
Other Possible Sources
- Bibles
- Stories
- Publications
- Photos
- Employment information
- Medical records
- DNA
- Voter registration records
- Genealogical society records
- Oral recordings