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How to Find the Information for Your Timeline

If you don't know the dates of the events you want to include on your timeline ask everyone in your family for documents that might relate to you. Then, look around your home and see what you can find. (Ask your parents for permission before you borrow any documents, though.) Some documents to look for include:

• Information from the family Bible
• Family letters, diaries, journals
• Scrapbooks
• Photographs
• School Yearbooks
• Wedding announcements of your parents
• Old report cards
• Diplomas
• Birth certificate
• Passport
• Maps of where you used to live or live now
• Old clothing, memorabilia

Sometimes you will have to look for records outside of your home. By consulting organizations in your area such as historical societies and public libraries you may be able to find documents that will provide additional information. Research record resources in the Boston area.

• Census Records
• Church and Synagogue records
• Land Records
• Military records, pension records
• Naturalization records
• Newspapers (obituaries, marriage notices, advertisements, etc.)
• Passenger lists
• Social Security death Index
• Tax records
• Town Meeting Minutes
• Vital records (birth, marriage, death)
• Wills and Probate Records