Is Ancestry missing the genealogy records you need? Here's how to tell

[@chalktalkwithshari4173]

I have been researching my family tree on and off for 50 years. Your site is very helpful and inspired me to dig in again. None of my six children show a hoot of interest, but my 21 year old grandson wants to learn. Who-hoo! I’m visiting him this summer and hope he will catch the genealogy “bug.”

[@donnaanguiano3253]

I love the clear ways you explain a subject. I have been working for many years on my family history and this is the first time the card catalog clicked! You have helped me understand many other topics/areas. Thank you!

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

I'm so glad it helped!

[@greebo6549]

When I did mine (UK), Once I’ve exhausted the usual family members, I look at the collected data that is the same, births, baptisms etc, then an open search for ANY births, deaths, baptisms for the same general area with the same parents names, sometimes I get hits for missed infants that were born and died between census years

[@kaiserwilliams6833]

I ran into a similar problem once: I couldn't find an entry in the birth registry for an ancestor even though I knew his birth date and place from the marriage registry and the year wasn't among those lost in the Second World War. I ended up searching through the entries around the time he was born, and Eureka: It turned out he was born out of wedlock and the birth registry used his mother's maiden name as his surname. Ancestry naturally indexed him under that instead of the name he later had. Helpfully an official had written in the margins that his father had married his mother (over a year later) and officially recognized he was the father. Using that information, I was able to find another sister of his (born within that same gap) that I had previously not known about.

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

That's good sleuthing!

[@patriciajrs46]

Thank you. There were honestly shotgun weddings, and such. Some people had trouble getting their romance-person to make up their mind about getting married.

[@PeterStawicki]

Thank you. I was not even aware of the "Card Catalog" BTW on that first fictional search, there was a Missouri Death and Burial index through 1976 that might have at least had a notation regarding the burial.

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

The (state) Death and Burial Index collections on Ancestry are compilations of various (and scattered) records, including some obituaries, cemetery records, etc. It isn't a compilation of death certificates from that state. Yes, it could contain a reference to the person I was looking for, but that collection doesn't contain death certificates.

[@rikwen96]

Ancestry drives me nuts sometimes with the way they label their collections. I have fallen in that hole that you were describing where I am looking for something that should have been there. Thanks for reminding me about the card catalog. I actually have found that if some of the counties where my ancestors lived still have their records (and that doesn't happen a lot, fires were a regular thing back then ) I can find things Ancestry doesn't have.

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

Not many people realize the problem with how some of the collections are titled.

[@wannellalawson4001]

You are greatness. I can listen to you all day. Before my mother got married she had two kids. She stayed at her parents house. When I lk at census her two kids had different names fm my mom. Later when she got married my sister took my moms married name. My brother died at age of 5 before she got married. Cannot locate his birth certificate. Checked with ancestry but it stated he died at age of five.

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

Thank you for the very kind words. I'm glad you're enjoying the channel. To your situation of trying to find your brother's birth certificate, there's a good chance it isn't online anywhere. Many states restrict access to birth records in the last 100 years. If you know what state he was born in (and what name he was born with), you might be able to get a copy from that state's vital statistics office or health department. Good luck to you in your family history journey!

[@bluekimchiandrea4476]

Oh my gosh! Where have you been!? I needed this information so badly. I just recently learned that a church which held records, was rebuilt and not all records are complete, survived, or were kept I guess.

[@feliciagaffney1998]

That is so sad! I can't believe churches would discard their records like that... hopefully they didn't just toss them, and they were destroyed by accident. Not that it makes the research any easier... but I would feel better about the church. Lol.

[@zhubajie6940]

Even then some records are not indexed properly if at all. I've seen many a census records had to be checked one at a time and found it even though many variations of spellings were tried. Ugh.

[@marilynskrepich3238]

This lady is very helpful...she uses visual aids with step by step information...THANK YOU

[@damiananthony1656]

What a wonderfully engaging presentation. Thank you so much for sharing!!!

[@ellen4956]

I found this *very* helpful! I have been trying to find out where a particular ancestor lived and died, and even though I can't find her death record (she died in 1836 or 1837 in rural Tennessee) I found out where the family lived then by looking at her children's obituaries. I might even be able to get their certificates since they died so much later, and in a more populated area. Thanks!

[@AnRuixuan]

I'm running into this problem with ancestors from Germany. I had made a family tree back in middle school for an assignment, and I guess I asked my mom who her grandparents were so I was able to fill it out. But now that I'm older and trying to make a better, more well-sourced family tree I can find almost no way to link my grandfather with his parents in Germany with records because Germany was a mess during that time period (around the turn of the 20th century), and as such the record collections are a mess as well. The card catalog has helped me calm down and realize that the records just aren't there (yet?).

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

Both Ancestry and FamilySearch are putting a lot of effort into getting more German records. If you haven't already, check out what's available on FamilySearch.

[@dianegouldhall]

Amy. That was very informative. I learned something new about collections and I’m sure it will assist me in my research. Thank you!

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

Glad it was helpful!

[@FreeReborns]

I'm positive I love ❤️ you You need a be in the algorithm more often. I've been on YT for 12 years and this is the first time I saw you You should be making a huge salary doing this. The ancestral sites need to sponsor your YT if they haven't already. I can be petty and resentful for folks making millions off their kids. I'd rather see folks who are actually making our lives better be compensated for their generous efforts. I am now going to resubscribe to Ancestry. I gave up years ago bc I did not know these tricks.

[@CindyL4261]

This helped me so much! Thank you!

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

You're so welcome! I'm glad it helped!

[@christelklinko7683]

Thank you very much

[@lizhaydon2250]

Thank you

[@jamesvanzandt48]

Wish I had seen this many years ago. Very informative!

[@patriciajrs46]

How do I find a death record of a child when they were wards of the state, and that death occured in between federal census, and state census enumerations?

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

If deaths were being recorded in that place at that time, there should still be a death record. It would be filed by the child's name, just like any other death record. If they were wards of the state, you should also look for any institutional records or court records.

[@patriciajrs46]

@@AmyJohnsonCrow Thank you.

[@lindaj5492]

5:00+ You say there’s nothing on that list covering the period you’re looking for: but what about the entry towards the lower end that goes up to 1976?

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

I’m glad you asked. The “Deaths and Burials Index” collections that Ancestry has for various states are miscellaneous compilations of scattered records.

[@landonedwards7504]

For any sort of state-maintained record, sometimes you're better off going to that state's online archives, if they make those records available that way.

[@MrDaiseymay]

A big problem can be common First names, like Ann-or Anne/ Annie/ Anna /Hannah. My untraceable Aunt, has documents that name her in all spellings, Add the fact that she was born in Novemeber 1907--but registered in 1908, the combination of these facter's jumbled up, has caused me , and 4 pro Genealogists , to fail to trace her, after 18 yrs, beyond the current 1921 census, aged 13.

[@oleviaholladay218]

I was looking for the attached file you mentioned in your video that would have 5 tips for researching. I do not see it.

[@oleviaholladay218]

Found it!

[@jackiefritsch3690]

Where do I find the link to 5 online search strategies? Is it written or is it a video?

[@jaceymartin4739]

If you have ancestors from New York , keep in mind, most records have not been digitized, such as birth snd death records.

[@detroitjack0325]

How do you find an original death certificate that was micro filmed. I'm looking for a relative's (aunt) death certificate from 1929. She died in Detroit in 1929 and the death certificate was filed with Wayne County, Detroit's county. I've gone to the Wayne County web site and clicked death certificates and no luck. I spelled my aunt's name correctly using the funeral home card. Still no luck.

[@joefromravenna]

Ancestry is not my go to place to search for ancestors. I only found my 2nd cousins from Chicago using it. Familysearch does me far more utility for my Slovak ancestry, and for my Czech ancestry it’s covered by one of their regional archives.

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

You hit on something -- really taking a look at what a company has to offer and compare it to what your research needs are!

[@sr2291]

Yes sometimes you have to order a reel that is not online anywhere.

[@church.farm.plants2607]

Can you make a video about how to research a Norwegian Military Veteran ? My Great - Grandfather Gilbert Strand served in the Norwegian Army, he was born in Hadeland, Oppland fylke, Norway. I’m trying to locate his military records in Norway. His farm name was Strandeeiet, and now it’s renamed to Strand, Gran,Oppland, Norway the farm is located in Gran. He married my great grandmother Gudbjør Olson Strand in 1892. There is a family story that my dad heard from my paternal grandmother ( Grandma ), that Gilbert was in WWI. I would like to learn and find out all the information that I can on him. As well in the 1910 United States Federal Census: it list his immigration year as 1906 but I went to the Norwegian Digital Archives and found a immigration record that stated in 1905. He left the Norwegian port of Oslo, in Norwegian immigration records from Kristiania 1871-1930 records. Thanks Cody

[@debbiesmith6293]

I'm finding out the Benton I have recorded doesn't have the same Bentons I have from someone else.

[@NotABushFan1]

Thanks, for great information. WhatI found is to many, Thomas' in one small county in IN in the 1800's and using the same first names. Like who many boys were name George Washington ---- and you are looking for your George and who was his father, if you are lucky enough to have that. Records get lost or in some cases a court house has a fire. Or, did they have records then, PA marriage records were not taken. And county lines changes over time. Thanks

[@MrDaiseymay]

God help those named Smith then. I'd NEVER get started.

[@patriciajrs46]

Why do some genealogy services only have some records? Family search, the mormon church, has nearly everything; with maybe an exception for land and deed records. Ancestry has some, but maybe My Heritage has the record , when Ancestry doesn't. Why can't they share?

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

That's a good question. None of them have "everything." (BTW, FamilySearch has tons of land records, but you generally need to find them through the catalog.) The different websites have to make agreements with the record holders; if they can't come to an agreement, they don't get the records. Each website also has its own set of priorities. Even a site like FamilySearch that wants to get "everything" has to make priorities into what they will put their resources behind -- digitizing equipment, processing, personnel, and money. They do have a degree of sharing. For example, Ancestry and FamilySearch partnered for the 1950 census indexing.

[@patriciajrs46]

@@AmyJohnsonCrow Thank you, Amy.

[@mannyfrencha5736]

Greetings, Some years ago, looking up my mom and granny in the 1940 Census, I did see my mom and granny both. Unfortunately, at that particular time I didn't save any of the info. Now, I can't locate that info no matter how many different ways I look it up. Looking up my granny has been confusing to a certain degree as well. I've seen several different surnames she apparently used. As of now the earliest info that I have on my granny is from the 1930 Census. I discovered the info by accident researching her aunt. My granny was from Hinds County, Mississippi, born in 1923. My mom was born in Raymond, Hinds County, Mississippi in 1939. Is this possible, that sometimes you see information, all for it to seem as though it's no longer showing up any longer?

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

Yes, I've had that happen, especially when (as you said) the information was found by accident to begin with. If your mom was born in Hinds County, Mississippi in 1939, could they still have been living there in 1940? If so, you could browse those images, rather than do a search. Have you searched for any relatives who you think might have been living nearby? Would your granny have been living near her parents? Maybe search for them instead?

[@feliciagaffney1998]

I have found people by searching siblings and whatnot. For whatever reason, the ones you are searching for are sometimes indexed incorrectly, so when you do your normal search you won't find them directly. Also, try your searches on other databases like Family Search. They will have things indexed differently, sometimes.

[@bluekimchiandrea4476]

I'm having a hard time with Canadian records in Ancestry. I have also reached out to State archives and my ancestor doesn't match by spouse. There are others with the same name, it's like he has disappeared

[@feliciagaffney1998]

Did he go by another first name?

[@JoshuaRieth]

I found that most records aren't indexed, or the index is completely messed up...

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

You definitely can't just do a simple search and expect to find everything!

[@JoshuaRieth]

@@AmyJohnsonCrow In the long run, I found it was so much better! I got to see things I would have glossed over if I had relied on the indexed text :)

[@theresasampson4263]

I’m going to learn how to index the 1950 census tonight .💃🏻

[@DP-ig1lu]

What if in the record of your ancestors father says desconocido? How?

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

It depends on the location and the time period, of what other records might be available that would name the father. Court records (if the mother tried to sue for support) are possibilities. If it’s a recent enough generation, a DNA test like AncestryDNA, 23andMe, or MyHeritage might give some clues.

[@DP-ig1lu]

@@AmyJohnsonCrow 🤔🤔1893 Philippines some of our relatives said they changed surname or hid the surname tnx for the reply though

[@andersr8341]

Any idea how often Ancestry updates their collections? I am looking for the image of a marriage certificate from 1995, so I can see the parent names. However, because of the 25-year privacy restriction, only records from before 1993 have images. It says on the collection's main page, "Updates: 20 Feb 2020: Added images for certificates from 1992 and 1993".... surely they should have 1995 images by now?

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

When it comes to updating collections like that, Ancestry has to work with the agency where they are getting the records from. Many agencies (whether they are vital statistics offices, state archives, etc.) have been operating on different work arrangements since March 2020. (Staff working from home, having to prioritize different projects, etc.), and many have a backlog of work. It sounds like the record you need is now considered public; it just isn't on Ancestry yet. I'd contact the agency that has the records and see how you can order a copy directly from them. (That information is often available on an agency's website.)

[@andersr8341]

@@AmyJohnsonCrow Thank you!

[@barbkitts759]

I quit Ancestry a long time ago... about the time they decided all your personal files belonged to them.

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

To clarify that a bit: Ancestry isn't claiming "ownership." They're claiming a perpetual, non-revocable license to what you contribute to the site. You can still do what you want with that material (but so can Ancestry). It might seem like a small distinction, but it matters if you're planning on doing anything with your material, such as publish or share.

[@barbkitts759]

@@AmyJohnsonCrow Thank you for the clarification, Amy, but yes, it is a very small distinction and in my opinion, Ancestry has no right to material users contribute, especially when they charge users such exorbitant amounts of money to contribute said material. I deleted my account and will no longer trust them with any of my info.

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

Don't get me wrong -- I'm definitely not in favor of their most recent change to their Terms & Conditions!

[@tedbrown7908]

Ancestry has records that they won't release because their excuse is "contractual obligation" even though the records are over 200-300 years old. This is obviously a money thing for Ancestry.

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

If the record currently exists only in paper format, Ancestry (and any other website) cannot just go in and digitize records without the record custodian's permission. Even if the records were already on microfilm, there can still be restrictions placed on them by the record custodian. It's hard to believe, but, yes, there are restrictions on records that are 200+ years old.

[@sandramoore8903]

You should also mention that there are religions that don't announce deaths of it's members outside the church. That is also irritating when trying to find out information for Genealogy trees.

[@theresasampson4263]

Can’t wait to find my adoptive brothers parents names on anything .

[@betenu1]

I know your just giving an example but I see a death record for 1873-1976

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

Good eye! However, that isn't a collection of Missouri death certificates. The "(state) Deaths and Burials Index" on Ancestry isn't a collection of death certificates. It's a combination of different records from different counties. It could be obituaries, church records, cemetery records, etc.

[@carlthornton3076]

Very Good!... 29 🐄🦉✝

[@alghawasion11]

Do you have clue about any old manuscripts of muslims ancestry of descendants of Phrophet Muhammad PBUH. Please help me if you are able to so.

[@mitchmonnett468]

so it’s not really free! you have to give an email address. I am not getting junk mail from you.

[@valerieelliott8359]

I opened my tree. My mother’s in entire line was GONE!

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

Are you talking about a tree on Ancestry? If so, do you have more than one tree? Could you have been looking at the wrong one? (I've done that before!)

[@rmdodsonbills]

Database professional here. While it is possible that something went wrong on the hosts' end and not some kind of user error, the odds are not in your favor. Besides the multiple trees thing Amy mentioned, deleting a profile or removing a relationship could also cause a line to go missing. The good news in these cases, the profile records and their relationship to each other are probably still maintained (if the provider knows anything about database design), so it's worth doing a tree search to see what you can find. You may very well be able to rebuild your tree, wherever the blame lies. Good luck.

[@filibertogarced]

Imagine for use Latinos, Ancestry automatically add all last names to women but women never change their last names 😅. It is just messy.

[@BobTheSchipperke]

You need to think like computers think which is with logic only. Titles are based on "AI".

[@MrDaiseymay]

At first, I thought I was going to learn something new and useful here, but no, you are blaming the member for entering the wrong information, or WHOEVER made the error in the first place. MY, complaint is, as a TEST of the system, I entererd the CORRECT information, but received no mention of my ancester at all. Even though, I took the official details from the Document, right in front of me. So WHY, can't it be found on the ;WONDERFUL Ancestry?

[@AmyJohnsonCrow]

I'm not blaming the member at all. I'm explaining how Ancestry's search form can end up making people enter too munch information, as well as showing that Ancestry doesn't have all of the records -- even when a collection's title makes it sound like they have all of the records for a certain set of years.

[@auntnana355]

Thrulines insisted we are related.

[@auntnana355]

I can RELATE! I just spent an entire year researching the wrong ancestor because. I really hate the way Ancestry search is set up.

[@patsywentworth7074]

MRS Crow my Mother once told me that her Mother's Mother told my Mother that my great grandmother said that she was related to one of the Democrat USA Presidents that was worse than the ones that we have had sence Bush sensor was President and my great grandmother was the wife of a Baptist Preacher and also said that her and her family did not like having that President in their family tree like maybe they were thinking where is rope for a hanging from his part of the family tree seemed to be how much my great grandmother her family did not seem to like the President but I don't know how honest those other relatives were that was older than my great grandmother but then again I not been born yet to learn to know better and then on my fathers side of my family I think I found some evidence that seems to strongly suggest that I might be related to the real good Christian President that late John F. Kennedy Jr who brought his real good Christian influences to the Democrat party for a while and so Mrs Crow could Ancestry help find out for sure if I really I'm related to these two Presidents as well as the two OUT LAWS that I've been told that I also could have stuck up in my family tree cause they got shot so if they are related to me they might still be stuck up there in my family tree .

[@feliciagaffney1998]

You have to do the research and find your document trail. Don't rely on family trees already on Ancestry... but if the trail is there, you can find whatever relations are there. Famous, infamous, or not. Also, an aside... punctuation and paragraph breaks makes things a lot easier to read.

[@MachasDaughter]

Thank you