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How to Research Your Family Tree
Researching your ancestors and creating a family tree is up to you. Here are suggestions on researching your ancestors:
START WITH YOURSELF
Start with yourself and work toward your unknown ancestors. Find out the vital information about your parents, and then look for data about your grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.
NAMES, DATES, PLACES, RELATIONSHIPS
You will need to record four key items for each person: names, dates, places and relationships. People can be identified in records by their names, the dates of events (birth, marriage, death), the places they lived and by relationships to others.
HOME SOURCES
The place to begin is at home. You will find information in family Bibles, newspaper clippings, military certificates, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, diaries, letters, scrapbooks, backs of pictures, baby books, etc.
RELATIVES AS SOURCE
Visit or write those in your family who may have information, particularly older relatives. They may have already gathered family data.
FINDING DISTANT RELATIVES
Search for distant relatives who may have already performed research. Advertise your family interests in the national, regional, and local genealogical magazines. Such periodicals are usually available in public libraries or on the Internet.
CHURCH RECORDS
Some churches have records of important events in the lives of its members. Inquire if there is genealogical data in the church records that your ancestor belonged to.
BIRTH, MARRIAGE, AND DEATH RECORDS
Birth and death registration became a requirement around 1890-1915, although some states began earlier. Before these dates vital statistics will be found recorded in church records and family bibles. These records can be obtained at the town hall, city hall, or borough hall.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Records of property acquisition and disposition can be good sources of genealogical data. In Cape May County, deeds can be found at the Cape May County Clerk’s Office www.capemaycountygov.net
Wills can be obtained at the Cape May County Surrogates Office www.capemaycountygov.net
STATE ARCHIVES
The New Jersey State Archives has the earliest records.
-Vital Statistics for New Jersey from May 1, 1848
-Birth Records date to 1923
-Marriage/ Death to 1940
www.njarchives.org
NATIONAL ARCHIVES
The Federal census has been made every 10 years since 1790. The complete census records are available on microfilm. The National Archives also has military service and related records, passenger arrival records, and others. The National Archives has regional branches located in metropolitan areas throughout the country. The closest National Archives are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
www.archives.gov
LIBRARIES, SOCIETIES, ARCHIVES
Local libraries, historical and genealogical societies, and archival depositories are all good sources for genealogical and family history.
INTERNET
Numerous Internet sites are now available to help with your research. Here are helpful sites that we recommend:
Cape May County Historical and Genealogical Society
504 Route 9 North
Cape May Court House , NJ 08210
Email us with your genealogy questions:
genealogy@co.cape-may.nj.us
Click here for other Cape May County Genealogical resources
Back to Cape May County Museum Home Page
