The following is a partial list of potential sources to search and is intended only as a guide or check list when searching for that 'illusive ancestor'. Consult the designated local Calgary institutions noted by code in square brackets first before contacting any extended sources. Most of these items can be searched on premise, ordered-through, or addresses for writing obtained from, the local archives in Calgary.

Legend
AFHS	Alberta Family Histories Society	CA	City of Calgary Archives
CPL	W. R. Castell Public Library (Calgary)	FHCA	Family History Centre for Calgary
FHSL	Family History Centre for Salt Lake	GLEN	Glenbow Archives and Library (Calgary)
UofC	University of Calgary MacKimmie Library	IGI	International Genealogical Index (FHCA)
IRC	International Reply Coupons - Used for return mail from a foreign country available from your Post Office.	SAE	Self-Addressed-Envelope (to Foreign addresses)
SASE	Self-Addressed-Stamped-Envelope (to Canadian addresses)	*	Indicates those sources that are of prime use and are major sources for successful genealogical research.

Ad in Genealogical Journal

Placement of an ad in a society journal or family association journal. Place an ad in a leading genealogical periodical seeking information on an ancestor if you exhaust your available known sources. Contact the local archives in Calgary for addresses of such publications. [CPL; UofC; FHCA]

Apprenticeship Records (British)

Available from the 13th to 19th century in printed form and on microfilm, indexed by name and date. If not possible to check personally have a hired researcher check apprentice register for you. [FHSL] *

Bible Records

Large numbers usually collected on microfilm in local archives for the areas you are searching in. Alternative is to write to the local areas genealogical society or place an advertisement in the area newspaper or genealogical journal. Contact local archives in Calgary for addresses of these institutions. [CPL; UofC]

Biography

A number of printed biographical indexes are available. Ask local librarians for direction to biographical dictionaries. [CPL; UofC; GLEN]

Birth Record

Often obtainable from proper state, county or city officials. Contact the local archives in Calgary for the appropriate addresses to write. [CPL; FHCA; FHSL; UofC] *

Cemetery Records

Check local Calgary archives for monumental transcriptions for your area. If nothing is available refer to Directories Section in the library for cemetery's and their addresses in the area being searched. If still unsuccessful contact local town or city office, they should have name of sexton or cemetery association address. Alternative: Contact the areas local public library with address found in Ayer's Library Directory (U.S.). [CPL; FHCA; FHSL; GLEN; UofC] *

Cemetery Locations

Write to Provincial/State Department of Highways. Should have county maps showing location of cemeteries. Check with local Calgary archives with extensive map collections first. [CPL; UofC]

Census Returns

Most important returns for most countries are available from 1841 to 1901 and in the U.S. up to 1920. The Canadian Returns are the only ones available at the Castell Public Library. Contact the local Calgary institutions for ordering-in of foreign returns. [CPL; FHSL]*

Church Records

If known, write directly to church. If unknown, SASE to local genealogical society. For Canadian addresses, check Angus Baxter In Search of Your Canadian Roots; for British addresses check Genealogical Research in England and Wales Vol. I, Ch. 16; for U.S.A. sources check A Survey of American Church Records by E. Kay Kirkham, Everton Publishers Inc. [CPL; FHCA; FHSL] *

City and Town Atlas

Write to city court house to see if atlas for the time period of your ancestor was printed if local sources prove fruitless. [CPL; FHCA; GLEN; UofC]

City or Town Directories

Write to local public library for the area to ask if directory of time period of ancestor was printed and available. Check local Calgary archives first in Directories Sections. [CPL; FHSL; GLEN; UofC] *

Citizenship

Refer to Immigration and Naturalization. *

Compendium of Biography

Many counties of U.S., Australia, the U.K., and Canada printed biographies of local citizens, especially between 1880 and 1910. Write local library to see if your ancestor is included. Generally only included wealthier and prominent citizens. Request photocopy, enclose SAE and offer to pay for photocopying. Enclosing small money order is appropriate. Obtain addresses from local Calgary archives in Directories Section. [CPL; UofC]

County Atlas

Write to County Office (Canadian), County Record Office (British) or County Courthouse (U.S.). Enquire if atlas has been compiled. Offer to pay for photocopying. Check with major map collections locally in Calgary first. Enclose small money order or SAE and I.R.C if writing. [CPL; FHCA; UofC] *

County History

Available for many English-speaking countries. Write to county record office to see if available. Canadian and U.S. histories may be available through inter-library loan. [CPL; FHSL; GLEN; UofC]

County Maps

Usually available from the province or state Department of Highways. Also write city tourist information centres. Check with major map collections locally in Calgary first. [CPL; FHCA; GLEN; UofC]

Court Records

Write court at county seat, state or provincial archives. Consult "Genealogical Evidence" by Noel C. Stevenson, Aegean Book Press. Obtain addresses from the Directories Section of local Calgary archives. [CPL; UofC]

Death Records

Refer to Birth Record and follow same procedure. *

Divorce Record

Write provincial courthouse for location and availability. Enquire of county courthouse concerning indexes and searches, fee. Obtain addresses from the Directories Section local Calgary archives. [CPL; UofC]

Family Organization/Family Publication

To see if a family organization and/or publication exits for your ancestor's surname, consult issues of magazine, "Genealogical Helper" by Everton Publishers Inc. [CPL; FHCA]

Fraternal Organizations

(e.g.. Masons, IOOF, etc.) - Check Yates and Akey, "Encyclopedia of Associations". Write head office for information on local branches. [CPL; FHCA] *

Gazetteers

To locate area, county, town, city, village, region of ancestor; numerous countries available. [CPL; FHCA; FHSL; GLEN; UofC]

Genealogical Book Sources

Check Schreiner-Yantis, "Genealogical and Local History Books". Also browse through the shelves at the local Calgary archives. [CPL; FHCA; UofC]

Genealogical Columns

Write to the genealogical society in the location of your ancestor to ask if there is a genealogical column in the newspaper or magazine of the region. If so, place a query regarding your ancestor. Obtain addresses from the local Calgary archives. [CPL; FHCA; UofC]

Genealogical Periodicals

Largest is "Genealogical Helper", Everton Publishers Inc., 6 issues/year. Check this publication for ads of other periodicals. [CPL; FHCA]

Genealogical Societies

Join local genealogical society in ancestor's region, county, city, country. Many will print queries, offer assistance to members, list local researchers, etc. Obtain address from local Calgary archives. [CPL FHCA UofC]

Government Resources

For addresses on the location of government records consult Elizabeth Petty Bentley's, "The Genealogists' Address Book". Obtain addresses also from local archives. [CPL; CA; FHCA; UofC]

Heraldry

Consult Debrett's "Family Historian"; L.G. Pine's, "The Genealogists Encyclopedia", Part 2. Write the Heraldry Society of Canada, The Lord Lyon's Office in Scotland, The Chief Herald of Ireland or The Chief Herald of England. [CPL; FHCA]

Homestead Records

Cummins Homestead Maps, Alberta Homestead Record, Ontario Land Records are all available locally. Try to identify the exact location of your ancestors homestead first through land record registry held provincially or by state. Some of their records may be obtain from National Archives of Canada or through an existing government agency. [CPL; CA; FHCA; FHSL; GLEN; UofC]

Home Search

First step in all research!! The list is endless. Don't overlook diaries, letters, backs of photographs, documents, Bibles, newspaper clippings (obituaries, etc.), deeds, religious certificates, estate papers, insurance records, keepsakes, naturalization papers, pension papers, record books, school report cards, taxation records, union papers, ad infinitum!! *

Immigration and Naturalization

Contact State agency for address on holdings of these records and access for the country in which you are researching. Addresses can be obtained from local Calgary archives. [CPL; FHSL; UofC] *

Libraries

Major source for obtaining most information required by genealogists. Become familiar with your local archives and the types of material they hold. *

Locality Finding Aids

There are frequently special publications printed by individuals or societies to aid in local genealogical research. Write to researching area genealogical societies and ask for a list of publications and finding aids. Check ads in "Genealogical Helper", Everton Publishers Inc., for special publications, also book reviews in same publication.

Maps

Often available from provincial or state highways divisions. Consult local Calgary libraries for addresses and those with major map collections. [CPL; CA; FHCA; GLEN; UofC]

Marriage Records

Refer to Birth Records and follow same procedure. *

Microfilm Records

The LDS Library has hundred of thousands of records of every type. Visit local branch of LDS Library and other local Calgary archives for a description of their microfilm holdings. Keep in mind that what is not available locally can be brought in by inter-library loan in most cases! [CPL; CA; FHCA; FHSL; UofC] *

Military Records

U.S.A.: For a free list of federal records centers addresses write to General Service Administration, Washington, DC, U.S.A. 20408. Civil War Records, Revolutionary War Records: Books by Dr. George Schweitzer are most helpful. Canada: Contact the National Archives Personnel Section. For foreign militaries contact the appropriate government department. Contact local archives in Calgary for designated addresses. [CPL; FHSL; UofC]

Mortuary Records

Sometimes available for many years back; occasionally destroyed when funeral home changes hand. Write to town office or local area library for names and addresses of funeral directors or if in the U.S., check Kates, "American Blue Book of Funeral Directors". Obtain addresses from the Directories section of the local Calgary archives. [CPL; FHSL]

Newspapers

Thousands of old newspapers have been microfilmed. Check "Ayer's Directory of Publications" for first date of newspapers publication. Write state or provincial archives and historical societies to see if available. Order through inter-library loan and if you have a specific date, write to the areas local library for a photocopy of the item (e.g.. obituary). They may or may not charge you for the search and photocopy costs. Addresses for institutions can be obtained from the Directories Section of your local Calgary archives. [CPL; FHCA; FHSL; GLEN; UofC] *

Obituaries

Refer to Newspapers. *

Patriotic Societies

There are numerous patriotic organizations for American Societies. Check the hereditary register of USA. Obtain addresses from local Calgary archives. [CPL]

Professional Researchers

If you have come to a blank wall in your research you may want to hire a professional researcher who is a specialist in your problem. For lists of researchers, consult the local library in the area you are searching. Refer also to local Professional Researchers, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

Surname Indexes

Search at local Family History Centre computerized International Genealogical Index and Ancestral File. Submit your ancestor's name to the computerized "Roots Cellar" in "Genealogical Helper", Everton Publishers Inc., for a fee. [FHCA; FHSL]

Telephone Directories

Check with your local archives Directories Section. Try writing individuals with the same last name in the area you are searching. [CPL; CA; FHSL; UofC] *

Wills And Probate Records

Wills are public property. Anyone may acquire a copy of any will.

Canada: Filed wills commenced with the development of probate courts in each area and province of Canada, although unified wills may exist for earlier periods, locations will vary. For example, Alberta has 12 judicial districts and wills are generally filed at the closest registry to the residence of the deceased. In Nova Scotia, all wills are filed with the probate registry in the county where the deceased resided. Write to the provincial court to find the specific address(es) for each province.
United Kingdom: 1380 to present in local custody. Some on microfilm from LDS, some of these are indexed and some were destroyed by bombing in World War II.
United States: Locate custodian of will and probate records in ancestor's county by examining "The Handy Book for Genealogists" published by Everton Publishers Inc. Write to custodian and enclose small money order and SAE. If no reply, write local library of genealogical society for local researchers. If specific death date known, send small money order and request photocopy of probate and offer to pay for further costs.