01 · Field route
Colonial-Era Research
Choose sources for people and places before the first federal census
Open the guideCouncilon directory · eras
Research by Era
Record availability changes with time. Begin with the period, then choose the strongest surviving source rather than forcing a modern search pattern onto the past.
Browse 6 guides
FIELDINDEX
Open the drawers
Find the right starting point.
Filter the directory by a place, record, or research technique. Every result is a guide—not a private-person profile.
02 · Field route
1790–1849
Research people and households in records from 1790–1849
Open the guide03 · Field route
1850–1899
Research people and addresses in records from 1850–1899
Open the guide04 · Field route
1900–1919
Research people and addresses in records from 1900–1919
Open the guide05 · Field route
1920–1939
Research people and addresses in records from 1920–1939
Open the guide06 · Field route
1940–1950
Research people and addresses in public census-era records from 1940–1950
Open the guideHow to choose
Follow the custodian, not the shortcut.
If two guides seem plausible, pick the one closest to the event that created the record. A birth record starts with a civil or religious custodian; an address story may start with a directory or deed.
Keep a negative-search log. Record the archive, collection, date range, spelling and filters you tried. “Not found” is useful only when another researcher can see where you looked.
Continue the trail
Keep the evidence moving.
Move to the next guide only when it answers a different question. That keeps the research plan focused and retraceable.
01 · Field route
Councilon
Plan a responsible search for a person, address, or historical public record
Open the guide02 · Field route
Start With What You Know
Turn known facts into a focused research question
Open the guide03 · Field route
Responsible People Search
Use people-search methods for legitimate, non-harmful research
Open the guide