I have copied the table from the wiki page that provides links to the various types of records. Go here to access the wiki page and the actual links. NOTE: It is most helpful for research from 1800 to the present.
Step 1. In column 1 select a research goal. Choose an ancestor you would like to know more about. What new information would you like to learn about that person?
Step 2. In column 2 find the types of records most likely to have the information you need.
Step 3. In column 3 find additional record types that may be useful.
| What you are looking for: | Try these records first: | Other useful records: |
| Age | Church Records | Census, Probate Records |
| Birth date | Church Records | |
| Boundaries and Origins | Gazetteers | Maps, History |
| Children | Church Records | Census, Probate |
| Death information | Church Records | Probate |
| Emigration date | Emigration and Immigration | Church Records |
| Ethnic background | Church Records | Minorities, Social Life and Customs, Ethnology |
| Historical background | History | Social Life and Customs |
| Maiden name | Church Records | |
| Marriage information | Church Records | |
| Occupations | Church Records | Probate, Occupations |
| Other family members | Church Records | Census, Probate |
| Parents | Church Records | Census, Probate |
| Physical description | Military Records | Biography, Genealogy |
| Place-finding aids | Postal and Shipping Guides | Gazetteers, Maps, |
| Place of residence | Church Records | Geographical Names Census, Taxation |
| Previous research | Genealogy, Periodicals | Biography, History, Archives, and Libraries |
| Record-finding aids | Archives and Libraries | Bibliography, Genealogy |
| Religion | Church Records | Minorities, Encyclopedias, and Dictionaries |
| Social activities | Social Life and Customs | History |
Hi! I am trying to get some history on my great great grandparents, who came from Finland, to Canada, to MI. I have traced it back that far, but seem to hit a dead end at the 1910 census. I know that they immigrated in 1897. Can you share any of the places that you were able to get info? I cant seem to get anything from before they hit the u.s.!
Marilyn,
Have you thought of going to the Finland Institute of Migration database at http://siirtolaisuusinstituutti.fi/en/. It is a subscription service but the cost is modest and you may wish to research other relatives, making it more worthwhile. If you can find either or both of your great grandparents’ passenger records on this website, you will learn the parish that they emigrated from. Then you can try to find records in Hiski or Finland Family History Association websites. They can be found with a Google search.
Wally Huskonen