Genealogy - Indianapolis

Why Records Matter in Genealogy

Genealogy relies on records to prove relationships, track life events, and build accurate family histories. Understanding how to find, read, and organize these records is essential. This page will introduce you to common record types, how to interpret them, and best practices for managing your research.

Common Record Types 

Explore some of the most common types of records you will encounter in your genealogy research

1. Vital Records- Birth, marriage, and death certificates. Key for verifying dates and family connections.
2. Census Records- Population counts providing snapshots of families, occupations, locations, and household members.
3. Military Records- Draft cards, service records, and pension files that can reveal enlistment details and family information. 
4. Immigration & Naturalization Records- Passenger lists, border crossings, and citizenship applications that trace migration paths.
5. Land & Property Records- Deeds, grants, and tax records show property ownership and residence over time.
6. Probate & Wills- Estate documents that detail heirs, relationships, and family property.
7. Church & Cemetery Records- Baptisms, marriages, burials, and tombstone transcriptions.
8. Newspapers & Obituaries- Articles and death notices offering personal stories, announcements, and community ties.

What is a Historical Record?

A historical record is any official document that recorded an event or fact about a person’s life (birth, marriage, death, census, military service, etc.)

Beginner’s Guide: How to Read Historical Records for Genealogy

This guide is for beginners who have never worked with historical records before.

1. Identify the Record Type First

• What kind of record is this? (e.g., census, birth certificate, passenger list)

• Why was this record created? (tax purposes, legal documentation, church sacrament, etc.)

• What should I expect to find on it? (household info, vital statistics, legal claims)

2. Understand the Record Layout

• Is it a form with columns and labels? (e.g., census, passenger lists)

• Is it a paragraph entry? (e.g., church records, probate files)

• Are there sections or fields? (e.g., “Name,” “Age,” “Occupation”)

Many historical records follow a predictable structure. If labels are unclear, look for a blank version of the form online.

3. Read One Field at a Time

Don’t try to take in the whole document at once. Ask yourself these questions for each entry:

• What question does this field answer? (e.g., Where was this person born?)

• Who is the information about? (person, family member, neighbor)

• How reliable is this information likely to be?

4. Pay Attention to Handwriting & Spelling

• Spelling was often inconsistent — phonetic spellings are common.

• Handwriting may use older script forms (long “s” looks like “f”, for example).

• Abbreviations and symbols (e.g., “ditto” marks, slashes) are often used to save space.

Compare unclear words with other words on the page. Practice reading similar documents.

5. Look for Clues in Neighboring Entries

• In censuses, look at neighboring entries they may be relatives.

• In church records, witnesses or godparents may be family.

• In land or court records, check for other family surnames.

Records tell stories in context. Don’t read entries in isolation.

6. Verify Dates and Places Carefully

• Double-check years and locations it is not uncommon for mistakes to be made in copying records.

• Remember, some records were created years after the event.

• Consider historical calendars (e.g., Julian vs. Gregorian dates).

Be cautious with “estimated” dates based on ages.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming relationships (e.g., same surname ≠ family)

• Overlooking alternate spellings or nicknames

• Ignoring marginal notes or small handwriting

• Forgetting to check both sides of a document or additional pages

• Misreading occupations, locations, or abbreviations

Sample Record Types

Below find samples of record types found through ancestry.com