Genealogy research traditionally focuses on building family trees using vital records, census records, and land records. However, social history goes deeper, to illuminate the everyday lives of the ancestors. By understanding how they lived, worked, and interacted with their communities, researchers gain a richer perspective on their experiences and the choices they made.
Social history bridges the gap in the family tree and provides a more comprehensive understanding of an ancestors' world. This knowledge not only enhances the research but also breathes life into their stories, making them more relatable and engaging for future generations.
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What is social history?
Social history as it relates to genealogy research focuses on the everyday lives of ancestors, with an emphasis on understanding their experiences from their perspective. It examines how local, regional, and national events shaped the lives of ordinary people, how they worked, interacted with their communities, and how they viewed the world around them.
By understanding these social factors, genealogists can gain valuable insights into the lives of their ancestors and the decisions they made. This deeper understanding can then inform their research strategies and help them interpret historical records.
Where to find social history clues for research
To get a better understanding of an ancestor's life, explore a variety of social history resources, covering both traditional genealogical materials and non-traditional sources that illuminate their daily realities. Do not overlook resources and records that are not traditionally thought of as related to family history.
Social history in traditional genealogy sources
- Census Records - Tracking ancestors through the census records provides information on the family unit, the family's migration patterns, immigration, and more.
- Wills & Estate Records - Beyond the basic information on an ancestor's death, find clues to the family's socio-economic status as well as family relationships.
- Non – Population Schedules - Beyond census records, non-population schedules like agricultural or mortality schedules can offer unique insights into an ancestor's occupations, land ownership, and the health challenges of their era.
- Deeds and land records - Deeds and land records, while traditionally used to place individuals in time and place, can also shed light on an ancestor's property ownership, economic status, and even migration patterns within their communities.
- Court Records - Court records, often overlooked in genealogy research, can reveal details about ancestors' legal disputes, social interactions, and even attitudes within their communities.
- Newspapers - Perhaps the most passed over resource for genealogy research, newspapers provide a unique viewpoint in "real time" of both local and regional issues impacting an ancestor's life. For example, newspapers may report on a local or regional drought impacting crops and the local economy. This knowledge can help the researcher understand why a farming ancestor left the area or pursued a different source of income.
Social history in non-traditional sources
Beyond traditional genealogical sources, sources of social history can be found in what might consider non-traditional records and resources. Exploring these provide a more nuanced understanding of an ancestors' lives.
- City Directories - City directories offer a snapshot of an ancestor's residence and occupation. Additionally, following an ancestor through city directories can show movement within the area indicating a change in social and economic status.
- Vertical file materials - Find ephemera such as pamphlets, flyers, and local news clippings that offer a glimpse into the social trends, events, and businesses that surrounded people's lives.
- Special collections at archives, libraries, and other repositories - Find rare documents, personal papers, and community records providing a unique glimpse into the cultural landscape and social issues that shaped an ancestor's life.
- Community histories - Often compiled by local historical societies or residents, community histories reveal insights of the social structure and norms of an ancestor's time period, detailing local customs, events, and population demographics.
- Museums - Through exhibits showcasing everyday objects, clothing, and tools, museums showcase and educate on the daily realities and cultural influences that shaped an ancestors' lives.
- Magazines & catalogs - Reflecting popular culture and consumer trends of the era, magazine and catalogs provide insights into leisure activities, purchasing habits, and the social values that shaped ancestors' daily lives. Many can be found at Google Books.
Social history takes genealogy research from a collection of names and dates into a fascinating narrative. By understanding ancestors' daily lives and the social forces that shaped them, researchers are better able to follow them in the records and predict other records they may have created.
See also
Explore more on how to use social history in genealogy research
- MyHeritage Newspaper collection
- OldNews.com by MyHeritage
- City Directories: No Town Too Small No Clue Too Little by Thomas MacEntee for MyHeritage Knowledge Base
- 10 FREE Social History Sites To Improve Your Genealogy Research by Lisa Lisson at Are You My Cousin?