In the old days you could research courthouse records, the backbone of any genealogy project, only by actually going to a county courthouse.
Now, you have three choices.
First, you can check at Familysearch.org to see which courthouse records have been digitized from microfilm by the Mormons and put online. The information is arranged by state and record type. They are adding more each year. You should also check Ancestry.com to see which records are there, as well as the state archives website.
The second stop could be a visit to your state archives if it is closer than the courthouse, because if records were microfilmed, those reels would be there. Plus, you can go from county to county within the same research room, rather than driving all over the state. Also, many states like North Carolina and Georgia have brought in records from the courthouses that can only be found at the state archives.
The third option would be to visit the actual county courthouse for records that date after the microfilming stopped or for those that were never filmed.
You also might have to visit a county records center or local historical or genealogical society if some records were placed there (such as in Augusta at the Augusta Genealogical Society).
Remember that courts differ in names and jurisdictions in the various states and hours vary considerably, as well as copying rules. Another caveat is finding out whether records have to be requested so they can be brought back to the courthouse for use, as is the case in Fulton County, a process that can take a week. Also, be aware of changing county boundaries over the years.
Historical visas available
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services now has historical visas accessible along with other records. Go to www.uscis.gov/genealogy to learn about the records available and how to request a copy.
A case recently reported in Family Chronicle magazine included affidavits, correspondence, vital records and a photograph — a lot more than just a passport. The era covered was 1924-1944, but the website indicates they have a variety of immigration-related records from 1893 to 1975. The agency searches its records based on what you submit.
It’s an important new source and well worth using.
Tip of the day
Genealogy Tip of the Day is a blog by Michael John Neill inspired by his own research. These tips should motivate the rest of us to follow his suggestions — or wish we had thought of them. You can reach his blog at genealogytipoftheday.blogspot.com. You can subscribe for free to get a daily e-notification.
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