Where Could It Be Written?

I’ve mentioned this tip before, but it’s one that is good to remember.

What records or sources could directly state or indirectly suggest the event or relationship I would like to document? There may not be a birth record, but there may be other records that state the date and place of birth or that state the parent-child relationship. The same is true for a marriage. There may be records that document the marriage, but are not actually marriage records.

A birth may be documented on a death certificate, a marriage record, an estate settlement or other documents. The same is true of a marriage. Of course those records may provide statements that are not primary information. That analysis is just a part of the research process. It may be that those sources provide clues to help you find original sources that do provide primary information.