| Illustrations and Charts | p. xi |
| Preface | p. xiii |
Part 1 | Background to Research | |
1 | Understanding Genealogical Research | p. 3 |
| The true nature of research | |
| Genealogy and science | |
| Completing the family picture | |
| Genealogy and historical background | |
| The importance of places | |
| Nothing but the facts | |
| What is expected? | |
| Educational opportunities | |
| A realistic perspective | |
| Family history professions | |
| Conclusion | |
2 | Language, Terminology and Important Issues | p. 29 |
| Language changes and handwriting | |
| Changes in the language | |
| Naming practices | |
| The calendar | |
3 | Surveying, Analysing, and Planning | p. 57 |
| Secondary research: your preliminary survey | |
| Preserve preliminary survey results | |
| Pedigree analysis | |
| Get everybody | |
| Jurisdictions | |
| Locality analysis | |
| Tradition, common sense, and helpful clues | |
| Additional help | |
4 | Evidence | p. 79 |
| Basic definitions | |
| Standard of proof | |
| Types of evidence | |
| Sources vs. evidence | |
| Original and derivative sources | |
| When evidence does not make sense | |
| Conflicting evidence | |
| More information on evidence | |
5 | Libraries and the National Archives (NARA) | p. 99 |
| The purposes of library research | |
| Some important libraries | |
| FamilySearch libraries | |
| A library's online catalog | |
| Library classification systems | |
| The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) | |
| Final observation about library use | |
6 | Reference Works | p. 115 |
| Guides to locality data | |
| Guides to non-original sources | |
| Guides to original sources | |
| Conclusion | |
7 | Organizing and Evaluating Your Research Findings | p. 143 |
| The reasons and the requirements | |
| Note-keeping methods | |
| Research logs and notes | |
| Organizing your research notes | |
| Special searches | |
| Evaluating the information in your notes | |
| One more step: the research report | |
| Reminder notes | |
| Abstracts and forms | |
| Card files and computer indexes | |
| Records relating to correspondence | |
| Concluding thoughts | |
8 | Successful Correspondence | p. 165 |
| Filing documents acquired by correspondence | |
| Analyzing your correspondence results | |
| Review of research note requirements | |
| Writing your letter | |
| Appearance matters | |
| To whom do I write? | |
| Conclusion and checklist | |
9 | Computer Technolgy and Family History | p. 175 |
| Concepts and definitions of modern technology | |
| Technological resources important to family history | |
| Conclusion | |
10 | Family History on the Internet | p. 201 |
| Significant steps and a current perspective | |
| Keeping on track | |
| Major family history websites | |
| Enhancing your search results on these major sites | |
| Other important websites | |
| Conclusion | |
11 | Family History: Going Beyond Genealogy | p. 237 |
| The what and why of family history | |
| Sources | |
| Historical considerations | |
| African American family history and the Freedmen's Bureau records | |
| Writing family history | |
| Objectivity | |
Part 2 | Records and Their Use | |
12 | Compiled Sources and Newspapers | p. 255 |
| Family history and compiled sources | |
| Newspapers | |
| Limitations of compiled sources | |
| Final observation | |
13 | Vital Records | p. 279 |
| Beginning and background | |
| Using vital records for family history | |
| Securing copies of the records | |
| Town meeting records | |
| Record problems | |
| Final observations | |
14 | Census Returns | p. 315 |
| What is the census? | |
| Where are the census population schedules? | |
| Special census indexes | |
| Military service information in the census | |
| Colonial censuses, special enumerations, and state censuses | |
| Important non-population census schedules | |
| Glossary of census terms | |
15 | Using Census Records in Your Research | p. 379 |
| Benefits and uses | |
| Limitations of the census as a family history source | |
| When should the census be searched? | |
| Examples of census use | |
| Conclusion | |
16 | Understanding Probate Records and Legal Terminology | p. 399 |
| Definition and background of probate records | |
| Content and genealogical value | |
| The limitations of probate records | |
| Legal terminology | |
| Important details | |
17 | What About Wills? | p. 423 |
| Kinds of wills | |
| Proving (probating) the will | |
| The contested will | |
| The value of wills | |
| Record problems | |
| Finding and using wills | |
| Help with a difficult problem | |
18 | The Intestate, Miscellaneous Probate Records, and Guardianships | p. 447 |
| The intestate and the probate process | |
| Miscellaneous probate records | |
| Guardianships | |
| Conclusion | |
19 | Government Land: Colonial and American | p. 469 |
| Background | |
| Land from the colonial government | |
| After the Revolution | |
| History of land entries in the public domain | |
| Records created by land entry in the public domain | |
| Land patents from the BLM | |
| Texas | |
| Other state-land states | |
20 | Local Land Records | p. 495 |
| Land titles | |
| Records that relate to land | |
| Using land records | |
| Tax records | |
| County land ownership maps | |
| Availability of local land records | |
| Conclusion | |
21 | Abstracting Probate and Land Records | p. 529 |
| Abstract vs. extract | |
| The nature of the abstract | |
| Abstracts of deeds | |
| Abstracts of wills | |
22 | Court Records and Family History | p. 547 |
| Background and definition | |
| A misconception | |
| The American court system | |
| Records and our access to them | |
| Legislative records | |
| Adoption records | |
| Note on Virginia's independent cities | |
| Case reports, reporters, and digests | |
| Conclusion | |
23 | Property Rights of Women as a Consideration | p. 575 |
| Background | |
| Real estate conveyances | |
| Laws and customs relating to inheritance | |
| Conclusion | |
24 | Church Records and Family History | p. 585 |
| Types of records | |
| The nature of the records | |
| Locating church records | |
25 | Immigrant Ancestor Origins: American Finding Aids | p. 625 |
| Immigration records: their nature and value | |
| Locating and using immigration records | |
| Passport applications | |
| Conclusion | |
26 | Military Records: Colonial Wars and the American Revolution | p. 653 |
| Background and history | |
| The records | |
| Colonial wars | |
| The Revolutionary War | |
| Using Revolutionary War records | |
| Loyalists and the Revolutionary War | |
27 | Military Records: After the Revolution | p. 689 |
| Between the Revolution and Fort Sumter | |
| The Civil War, 1861-65 | |
| Military actions following the Civil War | |
| The Regular Army or Regular Establishment | |
| World War I and beyond | |
| State military records and records relating to civilians | |
| Printed military sources | |
| When to use military records | |
| Conclusion | |
28 | Cemetery and Burial Records | p. 727 |
| Background | |
| Gravestone and monument inscriptions | |
| Access to cemetery records | |
| Sextons' records | |
| Help in finding the records | |
| Records of funeral directors | |
| Conclusion | |
| Index | p. 739 |