Sources in genealogy can be classified in two types. Primary sources are the ones we hope to find, but secondary are very important in the research process.
Primary sources is a common term when dealing with family history. It includes such information as oral accounts, photographs, birth certificates or any other reliable first hand account of important events. When possible all data should be backed up with some type of Primary Source.
Secondary sources are created some time after the event or information supplied by someone who was not an eyewitness. Some information may include both primary and secondary source information. For example a Death Certificate. The primary information is provided in close proximity of the death and usually by a medical professional and secondary because it contains birth information which occurred at a time and place significantly different than event verified by the certificate. It is a good idea to back up all secondary source information with reliable primary source if possible.
Some sources to search for:
Family Bibles
Legal documents (mortgages,titles,deeds)
Insurance policies
Wills
Family letters
Obituaries and newspaper articles
Diaries
Naturalization records
Baptismal certificates and other church records
Vital records (birth, marriage, death, divorce certificates)
Occupational and other personal records
Membership cards to various organizations
(These excerpts from Article by Tina Sansone)
