Memories give your family tree its shape; records give it proof. This guide introduces the main types of records that contain family details, what you can expect to learn from each, and where they are usually kept.
Birth, marriage and death records
Often called civil or vital records, these are the backbone of most family trees. They typically include full names, dates, places and, very often, the names of parents. They are held by local or national registration offices, which can usually supply certified copies.
Census returns
A census captures everyone in a household on a particular day: their names, ages, relationships, jobs and birthplaces. Because many countries took a census every ten years, a series of returns lets you watch a family grow and move over time. See our post on how to read a census record.
Religious records
Places of worship have recorded baptisms, marriages and burials for centuries, often long before governments began registering births and deaths. These registers may still be held locally or may have moved to a regional archive.
Burial and cemetery records
Headstones and burial registers confirm dates of death and frequently reveal other family members buried in the same plot or nearby.
Military records
Service files, pension papers and medal records can contain surprising detail, including physical descriptions, next of kin and home addresses.
Migration and travel records
Passenger lists, passport applications and naturalisation papers can show where a family came from, when they arrived and who travelled with them.
Newspapers
Birth and marriage notices, obituaries and local news stories add colour and context that official records rarely provide.
Wills and property records
Wills, probate files and land records often name several generations and in-laws in one document, making them especially valuable.
School and employment records
Admission registers, staff lists and trade directories place a person in a specific place at a specific time, which can help separate people with similar names.
Where to look
- National and state archives keep census returns, military files, migration papers and many government records.
- Local registration offices issue official copies of certificates.
- Libraries and history societies often hold newspapers, directories, maps and volunteer-made indexes.
- Places of worship may keep their own registers or know where they have been deposited.
- Online collections from archives, libraries, volunteer projects and commercial services let you search many records from home. Some are free; others require a subscription.
Tip: An online index is a signpost, not the destination. Whenever possible, look at the image of the original record. It usually contains details the index left out.
Requesting copies
When contacting an archive or office, include the person's full name, the approximate date and place of the event and any reference number from an index. Check whether you need to prove a relationship for recent records, and confirm any fees before ordering.
Respecting privacy
Records about living people are often restricted for good reason. Share details about living relatives only with their agreement, and handle sensitive discoveries, such as adoptions or medical information, with care.