CHECKLIST OF HOME SOURCES
By Leslie Griffith Jacoby
This checklist is a guide to the records you should find in the homes of your
relatives. Check each record you search. Write additional sources you may
discover in the empty blanks.
You can print this checklist on your printer right now.
| PERSONAL RECORDS |
CERTIFICATES |
FAMILY RECORDS |
| Journal |
Birth |
Bible |
| Diary |
Marriage |
Pedigrees |
| Biography |
Death |
Family Group Sheets |
| Letters |
Divorce |
Genealogies |
| Photographs |
Adoption |
Books of Remembrance |
| Autograph Album |
Graduation |
Family Bulletins |
| Personal Knowledge |
Christening |
Family Histories |
| Baby Book |
Blessing |
Printed Histories |
| Wedding Book |
Baptism |
Manuscript Histories |
| Scrapbooks |
Confirmation |
Local Histories |
| Funeral Book |
Ordination |
Family Traditions |
| Guest register |
Ministerial |
"Birth Briefs" |
| Travel Account/Log |
Membership |
|
| Bookplates |
Apprenticeship |
|
|
Mission Release |
|
|
Achievement |
|
|
Award |
|
|
|
|
| MILITARY RECORDS |
LEGAL PAPERS |
ANNOUNCEMENTS |
| Service |
Wills |
Wedding |
| Pension |
Deeds |
Birth |
| Disability |
Land Grants |
Death |
| Discharge |
Water Rights |
Funeral |
| National Guard |
Mortgages |
Graduation |
| Selective Service |
Leases |
Divorce |
| Bounty Award |
Bonds |
Anniversary |
| Service Medals |
Loans |
Memorial Cards |
| Ribbons |
Contracts |
New Job |
| Sword |
Summons |
Travel |
| Firearms |
Subpeona |
New Home |
| Uniform |
Tax Notices |
Birthday |
| Citations |
Guardian Papers |
Professional |
| Separation papers |
Abstracts of Title |
Engagement |
| War Rosters/Memorials |
Adoption Papers |
|
|
|
|
| MEMBERSHIP RECORDS |
HEALTH RECORDS |
SCHOOL RECORDS |
| Cards |
X-rays |
Diplomas |
| Publications |
Insurance Reports |
Report Cards |
| Programs |
Hospital Records |
Honor Roll |
| Uniforms |
Medical Records |
Awards |
| Awards |
Immunizations |
Transcripts |
|
|
Yearbooks |
|
|
Publications |
|
|
Alumni Lists |
|
|
Frats/Sororities |
|
|
|
| CITIZENSHIP PAPERS |
NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS |
LICENSES |
| Naturalization |
Announcements |
Business |
| Denization |
Obituaries |
Occupation |
| Alien Registration |
Special Events |
Professional |
| Deportment |
Vital Statistics |
Hunting |
| Passport |
Home Town Newspapers |
Firearms |
| Visa |
Professional |
Drivers |
| Vaccination |
trade |
Motor Vehicle Registration |
|
Human Interest |
|
|
|
|
| FINANCIAL RECORDS |
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS |
BOOKS |
| Accounts |
Silverware |
Atlases |
| Bills |
Needlework |
Yearbooks |
| Receipts |
Sampler |
Textbooks |
| Check Stubs |
Tapestries |
Prizes |
| Estate records |
Dishes |
Treasured Volumes |
|
Friendship Quilt |
Vocational |
|
Coat of Arms |
Foreign Language |
|
Insignias |
Inscriptions |
|
Souvenirs |
Bibles |
|
Clothing |
|
|
Tools |
|
|
Plaques |
|
|
Engraved Jewelry |
|
|
|
|
| EMPLOYMENT RECORDS |
|
|
| Apprenticeship |
|
| Awards |
|
|
| Graduation |
|
|
| Citations |
|
|
| Severance papers |
|
|
| Social Security |
|
|
| Retirement papers |
|
|
| Pension |
|
|
| Union |
|
|
| Income tax |
|
|
Those I can visit
personally:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Those with whom I must
correspond:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
NOTES:
Essentials of a Genealogical
Letter
THE SEVEN Cs:
CLEAN in appearance. Attractive letters make a favorable
first impression. Typewritten, if possible.
CORRECT in composition. Make your letter correct in details
of grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentencing, and paragraphing. Use a
dictionary.
CLEAR in expression. A letter that is vivid, easy to read
and easy to answer stimulates a reply. Definite questions usually get definite
replies.
COURTEOUS in manner. Do not demand. Express your
appreciation. Always acknowledge a reply.
CONSIDERATE in tone. Never write an "I" letter. Make your
request so interesting that it will be answered out of a desire to help, rather
than merely out of a sense of duty.
CONCISE in wording. Go directly to the point; say it
concisely and quit. Long, rambling requests often end up in the wastebasket,
especially with public officials.
COMPLETE in thought. Communicate your problem. Give enough
background information necessary for the read to grasp your needs.
SUPPLY NAMES, DATES, and PLACES:
Consider the information needed to complete what is already known about your
ancestor. Do you need:
- Date and Place of birth?
- Date and place of marriage?
- Date and place of death?
- Mother's maiden name?
- Names of parents?
- Names of missing children?
Consider fully the type of record needed to supply the wanted information.
Make Your Request Easy To Answer
- Ask only questions your correspondent could be expected to have answers. A
few questions at a time is the best rule.
- Write questions a separate sheet of paper and leave room on it for an
answer.
- Enclose standard pedigree or family group charts to make it easier for
your correspondent to supply names, places, dates.
- Enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope in letters to correspondents in
your own country. (Except public officials.)
- include your own name and address on every letter you write!
Insure Good Public Relations
Never ask another to give information or make intensive studies on problems
you are to lazy to research for yourself. Ask for evidence instead.
Approach discrepancies between your records and those received with tact and
diplomacy.
Offer to pay for copies of the records, and special postage and insurance
cost for mailing the information to you. Be reasonable in your requests. Offer
to give information in return for that which is being requested.
-- Leslie Griffith Jacoby is an active genealogist and a
former librarian at a large LDS Family History
Center. |