As a beginning genealogist or family historian, the large amount of record sets available to you can be overwhelming. It can be difficult to figure out what record you need to help you make progress on your research. With so many record sets available, it's hard to know what you need to look for next!
This website was created as a guide to help you figure out when you should use certain records. It will also help you find records that will confirm important pieces of information in your family tree. "Unlock the Records" is meant to serve as a starting place to either begin or refresh your research by offering some suggestions for moving forward with your research findings. Still, keep in mind that it will not tell you if your ancestor is in certain records.
In order to get valuable results from "Unlock the Records," make sure to search using a question or a phrase that clearly explains what you're looking for. The search is not case-sensitive, so feel free to use either lowercase or uppercase letters.
For example, if you are looking for a record set that will identify the date of birth of an ancestor or verify military service, consider constructing a phrase like either one of the following:
There are several challenges that one will encounter when doing African American Genealogy Research. Due to slavery, it can be hard to find records that verify names, relationships, and other vital pieces of information. It takes creativity and persistence to overcome the infamous brickwall of 1870, where all African Americans finally appear in the United States Census as free people.
However, it's important to know:
Despite these obstacles, there are many records that can help people find information on their African American ancestors. "Unlock the Records" aims to make it easier to identify these records and align them with your research goals.
