It’s important to teach the younger generation about family history. Those of us who are older won’t be around forever, and we need to know that others will carry on our work. In October 2025, I began mentoring an 8th-grader interested in genealogy. Talking with her has put me back in touch with the basics, reinforcing my love for genealogy.
In this blog post, we’ll go back to the beginning and use our knowledge to find more informative records. Painting a full picture of our ancestors’ lives is our goal and we do that by researching and writing about them one document at a time.
The lessons A. has learned so far involve using the most basic records in genealogy: census records and vital records (birth, marriage, death). I’ve shown her examples, and we’ve talked about what they can and cannot tell you.
We’ll start there, and then I’ll mention more comprehensive records. Along the way, I’ll also tell you about specific blog posts I’ve written about each subject.
James Rounds Lunt
I’m going to use James Rounds Lunt as my example. He is found in many records that are useful to beginner genealogists. The websites I’ve used for this research are Ancestry and FamilySearch.
James was born about 1830 in Maine to James Lunt and Sarah Rounds. I have completed research to prove his parentage. To find out more about this, check out “Why It’s Important To Prove Parentage In Genealogy Research.”
Census Records
1850
In 1850 (the first census to name everyone in the household), James is living in Portland, Maine, in what appears to be a boarding house. He is a 20-year-old clerk with no real estate. His brother, Benjamin F. Lunt, also lives there.
As an aside – let me explain verb tense in genealogy:
Use the past tense for historical events, things that actually happened and are now in the past. Example: John R. Lunt was born about 1830.
Use the present tense when you’re talking about what a record states or shows because the record still exists and still says those words. Example: In 1850 James is living in Portland, Maine.
I know this is a bit confusing, and it will take a bit of time to remember to use the proper tense.
1860
In 1860, James is still in Portland, with an apparent wife and child. His occupation is a druggist, and he has a domestic servant living with him. His age is given as 59, a conflicting piece of information I must resolve. According to this document, he owns no real estate.
So, what other records can I look for from the information I gathered in this document?
- Marriage record
- Birth record of child
- Business License
- School Records
1870
The 1870 census finally gives James’s real estate and personal estate information. He owns $ 5,000 in real estate and $ 2,500 in personal belongings. Benjamin F. Lunt lives with him, along with his presumed wife and children, Abby E., James C., and Frank D. James and Benjamin work in an Apothecary.
The 1870 census still didn’t include relationships, so we don’t know how everyone is related. It’s why I used the word “presumed” above. Also, James’s age is more in line with a 1830 birth year.
What are the records to look for from this document? Land records, newspaper ads. James and Benjamin may own a house and a business property, as Benjamin’s real estate is valued at $10,000 (about 1/4 million today – not bad!)
1880
The 1880 census is the first to list relationships to the head of household, in this case, James R. Lunt. Abbie E. is his wife, and Frank D. and James C. are his sons. This gives me confirmation of the 1870 and 1860 household members.
James is a physician and druggist, and he lives at 31 State Street (the street name is up the side of the page, and his house number is 31). His brother, Benjamin F., continues to live with the family. He, too, is a druggist. We also learn that Harriet Wetherbee, who has been with the family for some time, is James’s sister-in-law.
What records can we add to our list? City Directories and Maps.
1890
There is no 1890 U.S. census for Maine (or most of the country, for that matter). In 1921, a fire at the Commerce Department building destroyed it. Some records were burned, but most were damaged by water in attempts to extinguish the fire. This census record year is sorely missed, but as genealogists, we persevere and use substitute records to make up for it.
For More On Census Records:
“Unique Census Questions Uncover More About Your Ancestors“
“Why Knowing The Informant In Genealogy Records Is Important“
“How To Find A “Missing” Ancestor In The Census“
Vital Records
Death
James died on 11 October 1891 in Portland at the age of 61.
Even though death records began in 1760 in Cumberland County, statewide compliance for births and deaths didn’t start until 1892. This information comes from the FamilySearch Wiki, one of my favorite sites, especially when researching in a new location. More on the wiki HERE.
What other records would I look for when I know someone died? Newspapers/obituaries, and probate records.
Marriage
If you go to Ancestry, you’ll find a copy of an old marriage record stating that James R. Lunt married Abby E. Cammett on 3 June 1856 in Portland. This image comes from a record set named “Maine, U.S., Marriage Records, 1713-1922.”
There is also a record set named “Maine, Marriage Index, 1670-1921.” This has no image, but it does include a film number to look up. More on what to do with that number HERE. But when I find the image, it’s exactly the one from above.
So, am I done? NO! I want to find an original record if I can…not a copy, and certainly not just an index. So I go to FamilySearch Catalog and find a record group named “Marriage Records 1786-1886.” It took a bit of searching, but I finally found this:
This is almost certainly a copy of the original record, as the handwriting is identical across all entries. But it’s better than a typed version or no version at all.
If I want more, how about searching for the minister who married them? What church was he affiliated with? Where was it located? These details can add a lot to James and Abby’s story.
Click HERE to find a blog post on Ancestry’s Card Catalog.
Birth
I do not have a birth or baptism record for James. I made notes of my negative searches so I don’t have to search for them again.
Finally
Genealogy research is all about starting with that first record. Analyze it, transcribe it, make notes about it, and understand it. Which direction will it send you in? Where will you look next? If you don’t have time to look now, keep a list.
In another post, I’ll show you the other genealogy records I found to add context to James’s life.
It’s important to write up what you find. I’ve told A. to jot down notes about each record and where she found it. Can you start a story about your ancestor from the clues in these genealogy documents? I bet you can. If you need more encouragement, read “7 Reasons To Stop Your Genealogy Research and Write.”
Genealogy tip: Remember to start with what you know and work backwards. It’s tempting to jump ahead, but you’ll be glad you didn’t.
If you’re just getting started and want some genealogy coaching, I’m game! Just click below for a 30-minute free consultation.
