Tracing Immigrants Origin Record Finder

Tracing Immigrant Origins Country of Origin Records Selection Table

Country-of-Origin Records Selection Table

This table can help you decide which records to search. In Column 1, find the search tactic you selected. In Column 2, find the record types that are most likely to have the information you need. Then turn to that record type in this section. Additional records that may be useful are in Column 3. The terms used in both Columns 2 and 3 are the same as the record headings used in this portal and the subject headings used in the FamilySearch Catalog.

1. Search Tactic...	2. Look First In...	3. Then Search...
1. Survey general previous research	Genealogy, Societies	Periodicals
2. Search nationwide records	Civil Registration, Census, Church Records, Names, Personal	Taxation, Directories, Periodicals
3. Search departure records	Emigration and Immigration, Population	History, Newspapers, Court Records, Military Records
4. Localize the surname	Names Personal, Directories, Societies	Civil Registration, Census, Periodicals
5. Search regional records	Church Records, Civil Registration, Genealogy, History, Societies, Periodicals, Court Records	Directories, Census, Newspapers, Taxation, Military Records, Land and Property
6. Search local records	Church Records, Civil Registration, History, Census	Genealogy, Periodicals, Societies, Newspapers, Probate Records, Taxation, Court Records, Population, Land and Property