Reposting one of the more popular recent episodes with tried-and-true strategies in genealogy research.
Most genealogists start with the “Big Four” record groups—census, vital, land, and probate. But what happens when those records run out… or don’t give you the answers you need?
In this video, I’ll show you how to go beyond the Big Four and uncover additional record sets that can help fill in the gaps in your family history research. We’ll explore powerful but often overlooked sources like tax records, Social Security records, state censuses, immigration and emigration records, military records, city directories, newspapers, church records, and more.
You’ll also learn where to find these records, including how to use the FamilySearch Research Wiki to identify what records exist for your ancestor’s location, when they were created, and where they are held today. Understanding where records were created—often at the county level—and where they are now preserved, such as in state archives, can make all the difference in your research success.
If you’ve hit a brick wall or want to take your research to the next level, this video will give you practical strategies to expand your search and find new clues.
Direct Handout Link in Library: https://genealogytv.org/product/handout-for-beyond-the-big-four/
Academy Members can use this link below to watch replay of the Q&A Session from September 16, 2026. The chat is also available below the lesson on the Dashboard. Q&A...
Found the same family twice in one census? Here’s how to prove it’s a double enumeration. In this real case study, I walk through two John A. Shoemaker families listed...
