Success in our research depends on understanding the locality’s records, history, and required methodology. Whether we’re experienced in the research locality or a newbie, there is always more to learn. 

In this blog series on the FamilySearch Research Wiki, guest blogger Virginia Pratt will help us understand what the wiki contains and how best to use it. Virginia worked on the FamilySearch Wiki team for five years, writing and organizing Wiki pages. We’re excited to have her share some insider tips on using this free and amazing resource. I invite you to follow this series and try out Virginia’s tips.

-Diana

By Virginia Pratt

When searching for an ancestor, many times the best place to start is the place where they lived. The location where an ancestor lived and the time period they lived there determine the types of records kept and the jurisdiction where they were stored. These types of records include birth certificates, baptism/christening records, marriage, death, and burial records.  The jurisdictions of where the records are kept vary from place to place. Some records are kept at the county level, and some at the city or parish level. Time periods can change what was written on the record, as well as where it was stored. How does a person know where to find this information? Is there a place to find this information?  The answer is yes.  The place to find this information is on the FamilySearch Research Wiki (https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Main_Page).

The locality pages on the Research Wiki provide information on what records were kept, where they were stored, and when they were kept. Locality pages give brief historical information on different jurisdictions. These pages are similarly organized for ease of locating information.

Here is what you will find on locality pages:

Country

The country pages are landing pages for finding all record information pertaining to that country.  You will find on each country page a right-side bar with lists of record types that are found in that country. (https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/United_States_Genealogy) We will learn more about these record lists in our next blog post on topic pages.

You will find a blue button that links to the country’s online Genealogy records.

On each country page, you will find a clickable map that links to smaller jurisdictions. For example, the United States clickable map links to each state’s Wiki article that lists more information for that jurisdiction.

Under the clickable map is a list of smaller jurisdictions, each linking to the corresponding Wiki article. This list gives you a choice: you can find the smaller jurisdiction by clicking the map or the list beneath it.

State

Most records are kept at a jurisdictional level smaller than the country. We will continue with the United States example and choose the state of Indiana. This page tells when it became a state, how many counties it has, and its capital. There is a clickable map and a county list that take you to a Wiki county locality page. There is also a right-side bar, which has a list of record types kept at the state level.

 

County

In the United States, the county is an important jurisdiction for record keeping. These pages hold much information vital for genealogy research.

On the right side of the page is a county facts bar that provides important facts about the county.

Information on the county pages is listed alphabetically. It starts with county information and then lists many resources that can help find ancestral information. For example, there are links to websites where land/property information can be found, as well as to military records and newspapers known to have been published in that county.

Summing Up

Locality pages found on the FamilySearch Research Wiki are an excellent place to begin searching for ancestors. When searching for vital records, it is important to know when and where they were recorded and kept. Locality pages are organized by jurisdictions. This blog post highlights United States locality pages. However, on any of the country pages, you will see they are organized similarly to easily find where and when records were kept.

The next blog post will focus on the Wiki’s topic pages.  This blog post will explain in more depth the records used in genealogy research.