An Overview of Resources Used in Genealogical Research

Anthony Cosentino is a resident of Putnam, Connecticut, and is a teacher at Woonsocket High School and a volunteer fireman with the Putnam Fire Department. While not educating students or fighting fires, Anthony Cosentino has an interest in genealogical research and the resources that are utilized.

Genealogical research has seen a massive uptrend in the last few decades, and a lot of that trend has to do with resources that are now available online. When a person starts to look into the history of a family, there are a number of areas that they should check.

There are a number of free-to-access records available that are crucial to starting genealogical research. Census records are full of information for researchers, including things like the number of people in a household, their ages, birthplaces, and occupation. Vital records such as birth and death certificates, marriages and divorces, and adoptions can also be found in many areas.

Researchers also have access to other valuable resources like probate, real estate, and land records. Military records may also be available, depending on the circumstances, which can be full of personal information as well as important dates. These records can be used in conjunction with other sources to help piece together the family story.