Step-by-step Indiana research 1900 to the present:
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= Step-by-step Indiana research 1900 to the present =
'''[[Indiana Genealogy|Indiana]]''' [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Step-by-Step indiana Research 1900--present''' <br>
[[Step-by-Step Indiana Research|'''Step-by-Step research 1850--1900''']][[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Step-by-Step Research 1900--present'''<br>
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*''A suggested approach to genealogy research in indiana family history records.''
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! style="color:darkblue" | <br><center>'''Step-by-Step Indiana<br> Research 1900 to the Present<br> <br>'''
Table of Contents
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:'''[[Step-by-Step Indiana Research, 1900 to the Present#Step_1._Find_out_everything_you_can_from_living_relatives_and_their_family_records:|1. Contact living relatives.]]''' <br>
:'''[[Step-by-Step Indiana Research, 1900 to the Present#Step_2._Find_your_ancestors_in_every_possible_census_record.2C_1900-1940.|2. Online census records.]]'''
:'''[[Step-by-Step Indiana Research, 1900 to the Present#Step_3:_Find_birth,_marriage,_and_death_certificates_for_your_ancestors_and_their_children_online.|3. Births, marriages, and deaths online]]'''
:'''[[Step-by-Step Indiana Research, 1900 to the Present#Step_4:_Using_all_the_death_date_information, try_to_find_additional_details_about_your_ancestors_in_Social_Security_records,_obituaries,_and_cemetery_records_online.|4. Obituary and cemetery records online]].'''
:'''[[Step-by-Step Indiana Research, 1900 to the Present#Step 5: Search military records: World War I and World War II draft cards.|5. Military records online.]]
:'''[[Step-by-Step Indiana Research, 1900 to the Present#Step_6:_If_your_ancestor_was_an_immigrant,_search_immigration_and_naturalization_records_online.|6. Immigration and naturalization records online.]]'''
:'''[[Step-by-Step Indiana Research, 1900 to the Present#Step_7:_Study_each_record_for_other_possible_searches.|7. Study clues.]]'''
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| style="background:Wheat; padding:15px" | '''What sets this era in Indiana genealogy apart from earlier time periods are the advent of civil registration (state birth, marriage, and death certificates) and the possibility that you have older living relatives who can provide memories and family records. In addition, U. S. census records (occurred every 10 years--1900-1940), state censuses, Social Security collections, obituary and cemetery records make it possible to find a lot of genealogical information in just a few rich record types.'''
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===== See also, [[How to Use "Record Hints"|How to Use "Record Hints".]] =====
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=== '''Step 1. Find out everything you can from living relatives and their family records:''' ===
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues you can gather from [[Finding Living Relatives (National Institute)|living relatives]] — both from their [[Gather Family Information|memories]] and from [[Gather Family Information#Family_Records|documents or memorabilia]] in their homes. <br>
==== '''What should you ask?''' ====
In order to extend your research on your ancestors, you are looking for '''names, dates, and places'''. ''Everything you learn that tells you about when and where a relative lived is a clue to a new record search''. Be sure to ask questions that lead to that information, including about their occupations, military service, or associations with others, such as fraternal organizations. See also:
*[http://genealogy.about.com/cs/oralhistory/a/interview.htm Fifty Questions for Family History Interviews What to Ask the Relatives]
*[http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865595932/Genealogy-150-questions-to-ask-family-members-about-their-lives.html?pg=all Genealogy: 150 questions to ask family members about their lives]
*[[Creating Oral Histories|Creating Oral Histories]]
==== '''What [[Gather Family Information|documents]] should you look for and ask to copy?''' ====
{|
|- style="width:110%"
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*Announcements of births, weddings, <br>and anniversaries
*Baby and wedding books
*Certificates
*Deeds, and property records
*Family Bibles
*Family reunion notices and records
*Fraternal or society records
*Insurance policies
|
*Journals and diaries
*Letters and cards
*Licenses (business, marriage, <br>fishing, driving)
*Naturalization documents
*Newspaper clippings and obituaries
*Medical records
*Military service and pension documents
*Occupational awards
|
*Passports
*Personal histories and biographies
*Photograph albums
*Printed Notices and Announcements
*Programs (graduation, award ceremonies, funerals)
*School records
*Scrapbooks
*Wills and trusts
|}
[[File:Indiana obituary .png|thumb|right|350px]] [[File:Indiana newspaper marriage notice.png|thumb|left|400px]]
==== '''Using the clues to lead to census record searches.''' ====
Here are two documents you might find in a home search: a newspaper clipping of marriage banns and an obituary:
*Take a look at the marriage announcement. One of the couples, John Main and Louise Humboldt will be our example. Their banns for marriage are announced in the Fort Wayne, Indiana, newspaper in April of 1906. So they probably married in late April or early May of that year. We will look for them in the census records for [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKLR-GHS 1910], [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFQ8-L3G 1920], [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X412-YZK 1930], and [http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=1940usfedcen&h=52779457&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&rhSource=6061 1940.]. We can also try to find John and Louise living in their parents' homes in [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMBW-X9C 1900] and [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKL5-F2N 1910].. <br>
*The obituary is for Dora Evelyn Simmons, who was born in 1918 in Daviess County, Indiana. We can look for her by her maiden name, Dora Lett in the census records [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFQB-PWX 1920], [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHMS-3PF 1930]. She married Randall Jack Simmons in 1937, so we will look for them as a couple in [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89MB-VD88?i=18&owc=collection%2F2000219%2Fwaypoints&wc=QZXT-7YR%3A790104101%2C791732701%2C791312801%2C791762501%3Fcc%3D2000219&cc=2000219 1940.] The obituary also tells us that her parents were Roy Gus Lett and Eva May Combs, so we will also look for them in the census records for 1900, [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKGH-QJL 1910], [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFQB-PWW 1920], [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHM9-TCB 1930], and [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V1R6-K2W 1940].
*Click on the links in each example to see how these searches turned out. Notice the new information found. Later, these clues will help us find them in more records. We are able to identify the children of both families and the siblings of Dora Lett. In addition, we find birth dates and birth places for Dora and her parents. We also find the names of John Main's parents and their birth information.
----
=== '''Step 2. Find your ancestors in every possible census record, 1905-1945, online.''' ===
A census is a count and description of the population of a country, state, county, or city for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day. For each person living in a household you might find (depending on the year) their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military.
To learn more about census records, including search strategies, see [[United States Census Records for Beginners|'''United States Census Records for Beginners''']].
Look at the samples of census records below. You should find your family members in every possible census, using these convenient links. The records from FamilySearch Historical records can be searched without cost, but the search engine is not as exact as the paid sites. Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.com can be searched free of charge at your local [https://familysearch.org/locations/ Family History Center] or the [https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Family_History_Library Family History Library] in Salt Lake City, Utah.<br>
'''1900 United States Federal Census''' <br>
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1325221 FamilySearch Historical Records]. Index. <br>
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7602 Ancestry.com], ($). Index and images. <br>
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/us-census-1900 FindMyPast.com], ($). Index and images.<br>
*[http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10131/1900-united-states-federal-census?s=218489221 MyHeritage.com], ($). Index and images.<br>
'''1910 United States Federal Census''' <br>
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1727033 FamilySearch Historical Records]. Index. <br>
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7884 Ancestry.com], ($). Index and images. <br>
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/us-census-1910 FindMyPast.com], ($). Index and images.<br>
*[http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10132/1910-united-states-federal-census?s=218489221 MyHeritage.com], ($). Index and images.<br>
'''1920 United States Federal Census''' <br>
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1488411 FamilySearch Historical Records]. Index. <br>
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6061 Ancestry.com], ($). Index and images. <br>
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/us-census-1920 FindMyPast.com], ($). Index and images.<br>
*[http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10133/1920-united-states-federal-census?s=218489221 MyHeritage.com], ($). Index and images.<br>
'''1930 United States Federal Census'''<br>
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1810731 FamilySearch Historical Records]. Index. <br>
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6224 Ancestry.com], ($). Index and images. <br>
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/us-census-1930 FindMyPast.com], ($). Index and images.<br>
*[http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10134/1930-united-states-federal-census?s=218489221 MyHeritage.com], ($). Index and images.<br>
'''1940 United States Federal Census''' <br>
*[https://familysearch.org/1940census FamilySearch Historical Records]. Index. <br>
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2442 Ancestry.com], ($). Index and images. <br>
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/us-census-1940 FindMyPast.com], ($). Index and images.<br>
*[http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10053/1940-united-states-federal-census?s=218489221 MyHeritage.com], ($). Index and images.<br>
==== '''United States census records''' ====
*Here is a sample of a 1900 United States census record. You can see all the different information you can glean from this record once you find your family in the census. [[File:1900 short census.png|thumb|center|800px|1900 United States Census.jpg]]
*You will want to find and keep notes on census records from every census during each ancestor's lifetime. For example, if your ancestor was born in 1897 and died in 1945, you will want to find them in the 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 censuses. Note that there are census records available from 1790 until 1940.
*With the census records you will be able to estimate approximate birth dates and marriage dates. These records will lead you to new searches because you will find the names of other members of the family. You will find clues to other states and countries your family lived in before coming to Indiana.
==== '''Using the census clues to lead to a birth certificate.''' ====
*Birth indexes are available through 1933. We should search them for John G. and Louise Main and for all of their children listed in the census records.
*We can also look for birth records for the children of Gus and Eva Lett. However, their daughter, Dora, and her husband, Randall Simmons, married in 1937. So for their children, we would have to [[User:Hanna5974/Sandbox/Indiana 1#Ordering certificates through the mail| write for their birth certificates.]]
*Because we found the parents of John G. Main, Clarence and Suzanne, we can look in birth indexes for their children. See the index entry for the birth of their son, Edwin, in [[User:Hanna5974/Sandbox/Indiana 1#Birth Index|Examples of Index Entries, Birth Index]].
==== '''Using the census clues to lead to a marriage certificate.''' ====
*Finding the [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XF49-6J6 indexed marriage record of John G. Main and Louise Humbolt] gives her correct surname as Humbert. It also gives both of their birth dates and birth places and the full names of their parents. See the actual record below in the [[User:Hanna5974/Sandbox/Indiana 1#Marriage Index|Examples of Index Entries, Marriage Index]].
*Now that we know the names of the brothers and sisters of Dora Evelyn Lett, we can look for their marriage records. In addition to obtaining their marriage dates, we search for these records because they cam also contain birth dates and places.
**The [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XF7Y-C39 marriage record of Allie Jane Lett] tells us she was born 3 Oct 1909 in Daviess County, Indiana.
**The [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XF7Y-696 marriage record of Maude Birdella Lett] gives her birth on 9 Nov 1904, also in Daviess County.
**The [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XF7Y-FLZ marriage record of Hampton Clay Lett] gives his birth date as 16 July 1912, again in Daviess County.
**Each of these marriage records also gives us a more complete name for these people than given in census records.
*We can also look for the marriage of the parents: Gus and Eva Lett and [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XF3G-9ZZ Clarence and Susan Main].
==== '''Using the census clues to lead to a death certificate.''' ====
Online death indexes for all of Indiana currently end with 1920. Many of the people we have found in census records lived longer than that, except for [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ73-JKV Clarence W. Main]. Death certificate for the others are still probably available [[User:Hanna5974/Sandbox/Indiana 1#Ordering certificates through the mail|ordering through the mail.]]
----
=== '''Step 3: Find online birth, marriage, and death certificates for your ancestors and their children.''' ===
States, counties, or even towns in some states recorded births, marriages, and deaths. You have probably seen these types of certificates and have your own. In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations. A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.
==== '''Studying what you have found:''' ====
[[File:Cycle icon.jpg|left|100px]]
*Review what you have found to see if there is missing information that could be found in a birth, marriage, or death certificate for your ancestors and their children.
*If you are missing the names of parents, find a person's death certificate. It may contain the names of the deceased's parents, which would extend your pedigree back one more generation.
*If you find a child listed in a census record, try to find their actual birth certificate to learn their full birth date.
*If a married couple is shown in the census records and you need the wife's maiden name, search for their marriage record or her death record. The mother's maiden name should also be given in her children's birth certificates.
==== '''Obtaining the certificates''' ====
*There are basically two ways to find these certificates, or the information from them: by finding them in an online database, and by by [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/indiana.htm '''purchasing them through the mail'''] .
==== '''Online databases''' ====
*This chart gives links to some Indiana online databases for these records. These are '''indexes of records'''. Frequently, the actual record will give greater detail.
{| width="100%" border="1" align="center" style="font-size: 13.600000381469727px;"
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*'''Search Sites for indiana Birth Records and Indexes'''
*{{RecordSearch|1674814|Indiana, Births and Christenings, 1773-1933}} Index only.
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/indiana-births-and-christenings-1773-1933 Indiana Births & Christenings, 1773-1933], ($), index.
*[http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30187/indiana-births-christenings-1773-1933?s=218489221 Indiana Births & Christenings, 1773-1933], ($), index.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4745 Indiana Births, 1880-1920] Index only ($)
'''Also, see [[How to Find Indiana Birth Records|How to Find Indiana Birth Records]].'''
|-
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*'''Search Sites for Indiana Marriage Records and Indexes'''
*{{RecordSearch|1674830|Indiana, Marriages, 1780-1992}} Index only.
*[http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30190/indiana-marriages-1780-1992?s=218489221 Indiana, Marriages, 1780-1992], ($), index.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5059 Indiana, Marriage Collection, 1800-1941] Index only ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7852 Indiana Marriages, 1802-1892] Index only ($)
*{{RecordSearch|1410397|Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959}} Index and Images.
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/indiana-marriages-1811-1959 Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959], ($), index and Images.
*[http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30010/indiana-marriages-1811-1959?s=218489221 Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959], ($), index and Images.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2087 Indiana Marriages to 1850] Index only ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=70708 Web: Indiana, Marion Public Library Marriage Index, 1831-2008] ($)
*[https://www.statelib.lib.in.us/INMarriages1850/marriages_search.asp Indiana State Library Marriages through 1850]
'''Also, see [[How to Find Indiana Marriage Records|How to Find Indiana Marriage Records]].'''
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*'''Search Sites for Indiana Death Records and Indexes'''
*{{RecordSearch|1947977|Indiana, Death Index, 1882-1920}} Index only.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7834 Indiana Deaths, 1882-1920] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9242 Web: Indiana, Marion Public Library Death Index, 1812 - 2011] ($)
*[http://www.deathindexes.com/indiana/ Indiana death indexes by county]
'''Also, see [[How to Find Indiana Death Records|How to Find Indiana Death Records]].'''
|}
==== '''Examples of Index Entries''' ====
===='''Birth Index'''====
[[File:Indiana birth index.png|600px]]
===='''Marriage Index'''====
[[File:Indiana Marriage index.png|600px|]]
===='''Death'''====
[[File:Indiana death index.png|600px]]
==== '''Ordering certificates through the mail''' ====
*[http://www.in.gov/isdh/20444.htm Click here] for information on how to order birth or death records. This will require an [https://forms.in.gov/Download.aspx?id=5623 application (download here]. The form includes applicable fees, identification requirements, and mailing address. The cost for the first certificate is $10.00 and $4.00 for each additional copy.
*[http://www.in.gov/library/4603.htm Click here] for information on how to order marriage records.
===== '''Examples of records''' =====
Here are some samples of Indiana certificates. Notice the types of information available in each. Also, notice that they give much more detail that just the indexes above.<br>
[[File:Indiana birth certificate.png|600px]]
[[File:Indiana Marriage Register 1920.jpg|600px]]
[[File:Indiana death certificate.png]]
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=== '''Step 4: Using all the death date information, try to find additional details about your ancestors in Social Security records, obituaries, and cemetery records online.''' ===
==== '''U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007''' ====
The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962. The '''Social Security Death index''' includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits. The index entries give the person's full birth date, last known residence, and residence at the time they first enrolled. Women are listed under their married name at the time of their death. You can search these records online at {{RecordSearch|1202535|United States Social Security Death Index}}. Also at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3693 Ancestry.com], ($), index.
The [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60901 '''Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007'''] picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process, including valuable details such as '''birth date, birth place, and parents’ names.''' Unless the deceased would be at least 75 years old today, the parents' names are not published. ''You will not find everybody who is listed in the SSDI, as criteria for inclusion differs.''
If you find your ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed. Notice that this example of an indexed Social Security gives the names of Roy Augustine Lett's parents and his birth date and place.
[[File:Indiana Social Security record.png|thumb|center|500px]]
==== '''Obituaries and cemeteries''' ====
===== '''Obituaries''' =====
*Frequently, a death is announced in the newspaper with an obituary.
*These obituaries may supply missing birth or death dates and name the parents of the deceased.
*Obituaries may also name family members, their spouses, their current residences, and whether they died before the person or are still surviving, especially in obituaries written in the last half of the 20th Century.
*Try these Indiana links:
**[https://sites.google.com/site/onlinenewspapersite/Home/usa/in Indiana Online Historical Newspapers]
**[http://www.genealogybank.com/gbnk/newspapers/explore/USA/Indiana/?kbid=10435&m=13 Indiana Newspaper Archives (1804–1992) at Genealogy Bank], index.
**[https://newspapers.library.in.gov/ Hoosier State Chronicles, Indiana State Library]
**[http://distantcousin.com/Obits/IN/ Indiana Obituary Archive]. Index and Images.
**[http://www.mcusa-archives.org/MennObits/index2.html Mennonite Church USA Archives: MennObits]
**[http://www.deathindexes.com/indiana/ Online Indiana Death Indexes and Obituaries]
===== '''Cemeteries''' =====
*Cemetery records may only give the names and dates stated on the tombstone, but as in the case of FindAGrave, sometimes pictures of the deceased and their tombstone, children's or parents' names and links to their graves, and marriage information have been added. Always verify information added by others.
*Frequently family members are buried in the same cemetery often in neighboring plots.
*Try these Indiana links:
**[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=70492 Web: Indiana and Michigan, Michiana Genealogical Cemetery Index, 1800-2010] ($)
**[http://interment.net/us/in/index.htm Indiana Cemetery Records at Interment.net].
**[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gs&CSst=4& Findagrave.com].
**[http://billiongraves.com/pages/search/#country=United+States&state=Indiana&county=0&search_text=&action=search_cemetery BillionGraves Indiana Cemeteries].
**[http://www.daddezio.com/cemetery/junction/CJ-IN-NDX.html Cemetery Junction Indiana] by D'Addezio.
**[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=29744 Surname index to Roster of soldiers and patriots of the American Revolution buried in Indiana, vol. I & II] ($)
**[http://africanamericancemeteries.com/in/ African American Cemeteries Online]
NOTE: Each database covers different cemeteries, although some may overlap. Don't be discouraged if you do not locate your individual in the first database. '''Check each collection.'''
This example of an online cemetery record is from [http://www.findagrave.com/ FindAGrave] [[File:Indiana Find A Grave.png|600px]]
----
=== '''Step 5: Search military records: World War I and World War II draft cards.''' ===
*There are many different types of military records, some covered in online collections, some microfilmed, and some requiring you to order them from government repositories with a fee. For more information, read the [[U.S. Military Records Class Handout|'''U.S. Military Records Class Handout''']]. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information.
==== World War I Draft Registration ====
*One of the most helpful military records is the '''draft registration of 1917-1918'''. During three separate registrations, men born between 1873-1897 were required to register in the draft for World War I. Cards may give birth date, birth place, residence, occupation, employer, physical description, next of kin (usually the wife or mother), and number of dependents. Search for your male relatives born in this time period at {{RecordSearch|1968530|'''U.S. WW I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918'''}}.
*Here is an example of a typical draft card.
<div style="position:relative; top:30 px; left:50px">
[[File:Indiana WW I draft.png|thumb|right|900px]]
===World War II Draft Registration===
Likewise, the World War II draft in 1942 may give birth date, birth place, residence, occupation, employer, and other family members as contacts. Search for your male relatives born in this time period at [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1861144 '''U.S. WW II Draft Registration Cards, 1942'''].
[[File:Indiana WW II draft.png|thumb|500px]]
<br>
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=== '''Step 6: If your ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.''' ===
The census records may show that your ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records are the next goal. Immigration refers to people coming into a country, such as the United States, and emigration refers to people leaving a country to go to another. Usually these records are passenger lists of the ships they sailed on. A typical record will show name, age, and country of origin, but in ship lists after 1906 you can find the actual town of birth, the next of kin still living in the old country and their residence, and the names of relatives in the place they are traveling to.
==== Census clues to Immigration records ====
Census records can provide important clues about nationality and immigration. This chart lists data that can be found in each of the census records. Gather the information in the census records specifically about immigration, as it will help narrow down your search.
{| style="border:3px solid green; width:70%; align:center"
|-
| colspan="2" style="border:1px solid green; align:center" | <center>'''Immigration and Naturalization Found in the U.S.Census by Year'''<br> (other information also given but is not listed here)</center>
|
|-
! style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center; width:25%" | <center>Year of census</center>
! style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center; width:75%" | <center>Immigration and Naturalization Information </center>
|-
| style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center" | 1870
| style="border:1px solid green;" |
*Whether father and mother are of foreign birth
|-
| style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center" | 1880
| style="border:1px solid green;" |
*Place of birth for father and mother
|-
| style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center" | 1900
| style="border:1px solid green; align:center" |
*Place of birth for father and mother
*Naturalization status: alien, papers submitted, or naturalized
*Year of immigration to U.S.
*How many years lived in U.S.
|-
| style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center" | 1910
| style="border:1px solid green; align:center" |
*Place of birth for father and mother
*Naturalization status: alien, papers submitted, or naturalized
*Year of immigration to U.S.
|-
| style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center" | 1920
| style="border:1px solid green; align:center" |
*Place of birth for father and mother
*Naturalization status: alien, papers submitted, or naturalized
*Year of immigration to U.S.
*Year of naturalization
*Native language
*Native language of father and mother
|-
| style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center" | 1930
| style="border:1px solid green; align:center" |
*Place of birth for father and mother
*Naturalization status: alien, papers submitted, or naturalized
*Year of immigration to U.S.
*Native language
|-
| style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center" | 1940
| style="border:1px solid green; align:center" |
*Naturalization status: alien, papers submitted, or naturalized
|}
==== '''Immigration records''' ====
There are many immigration records available. Click [[United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records|here]] to see a complete list of available immigration records online. Notice that they are listed by state, but under the letter "U" there is a long list of records that cover all of the United States. Unless family information tells you the port where family arrived, you will need to search all of the [[United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records|United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records]] for the time period when your ancestors arrived.
The United States kept copies of passenger lists starting in 1820 (except for Philadelphia which start in 1800). Passenger lists before this date are taken from shipping companies or extracted from newspapers or other records and are not complete for the time period.
In this [http://interactive.ancestry.com/7488/NYT715_792-0396/4013594401?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2f%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fgss%3dangs-c%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26gsln%3dhepper%26msapn__ftp%3dNew%2bYork%252c%2bUSA%26msapn%3d35%26msapn_PInfo%3d5-%257c0%257c1652393%257c0%257c2%257c3244%257c35%257c0%257c0%257c0%257c0%257c%26cp%3d0%26MSAV%3d1%26uidh%3d7h4%26pcat%3dIMG_PASSLISTS%26h%3d4013594401%26recoff%3d9%26db%3dnypl%26indiv%3d1%26ml_rpos%3d43&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnRecord example of a passenger list], you see at #22, the family of Eduard Hepper of Gross Liebenthal travelling to Java, South Daokta.
==== '''Naturalization (Citizenship) Records''' ====
Naturalization is the process of becoming a citizen. Records can include the immigrant's declaration of intent to become a citizen, petitions for citizenship, and final certificate of naturalization. Naturalization records after 1906 can show birth date and place, spouse's name, marriage date and place, and lists of children with their birth dates. [https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-33214-8273-42?cc=2078640&wc=MCYZ-366:357892101,357977101 Click here] to view examples of declaration of intent records and the information they give.
Indiana naturalization records could be recorded at the county court or the Federal District or Circuit Court. You must look for them in both locations. Try searching first in any county where the person lived, unless the census tells you the year they were naturalized, and you have evidence of where they lived that year. If you cannot locate them in the county records, try searching for them in the Federal courts.
==== '''Indiana Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records''' ====
*{{RecordSearch|2137708|Indiana, Naturalization Indexes, 1848-1992}} Indexes only.
*[https://secure.in.gov/apps/icpr/search/Home/Search?RecordSeriesId=5 INDIANA DIGITAL ARCHIVES Naturalizations Search Engine]
*[http://www.state.in.us/serv/icpr_naturalization Indiana Commission for Public Records Naturalization Search] prior to 1951
Here are the naturalization records available from the Indiana Digital Archives for the surname Humbert (Louise Humbert Main's possible immigrant ancestors). We would want to order the full original files listed in this index. See [http://iot.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/531 How do I order copies of records from the Indiana State Archives?]
[[File:Indiana Naturalization index.png]]
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=== '''Step 7: Study each record for other possible searches.''' ===
[[File:Cycle icon.jpg|left|100px]]
You can now go through a process of working back and forth between all the different record types. Most researchers find clues in the census records that alert them to new certificates to obtain. The certificates then give them ideas of new facts to look for in the census. For example, when a marriage certificate gives you a wife's maiden name, you will then want to look for her in earlier censuses listed with her family as a child. When the census shows you her parents' names, you may then search for their death records. The death records might show their patents' names and take you back to the census to search for them. A naturalization record listing children's names might lead you back to birth certificate searches, and so on.
Using the families we have been studying, here are some new searches to make based on the new information we have gathered:
*We now know that Louise Humbert Main was the daughter of [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=39231381&ref=acom Justin Humbert] and [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=33168394&ref=acom Julia Minott]. We can go back to all these record, this time looking for them. We would move into even earlier census records--[https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHMC-864 1880], [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXX8-GDX 1870], and [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4FZ-RVT 1860]. Having found them in the census records, we would then revisit all the other record groups again, this time looking for Justin, Julia, their children, and even their parents.<br>
*We would start following Clarence W, Main, father of john G., back into earlier census records also--[https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHMC-RMJ 1880], [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXX8-MXN 1870], [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4FZ-4YL 1860].Having found them in the census records, we would then revisit all the other record groups again, this time looking for Clarence, Susan, their children, and their parents.
*Similar searches for the families of Susan Alexander, Gustave Lett, and Eva Mt Combs would continue expanding the pedigrees of their families.
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