Colonial (U.S.) Research Guide

This Research Guide seeks to guide you to the best resources for researching the U.S. colonial era (1620-1776). Please add your favorite resources as well as a link to your User page if you are actively researching this time period.

Colonial New England

Resources for researching Colonial New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island).

• Cornell University's "Making of America" includes downloadable books and journals from colonial times.
• New England Historic Genealogical Society - The website has extensive vital records and transcribed books on colonial familes; the library has considerably more.
• A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England by James Savage - Attempted to list all New England settlers before 1692
• Great Migration Project - Volumes profiling every New England immigrant 1620-1640, currently on 1635.
• Mayflower

• Mayflower Passenger List
• Guide to Researching Mayflower Families
• Pilgrims vs. Puritans

• Also on WeRelate

• Massachusetts Online Vital Records Research Guide
• Portal:Puritan Great Migration, including:

• Great Migration Ships

Colonial Mid-Atlantic

Resources for researching Colonial Mid-Atlantic (New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland).

• Genealogy References for Pennsylvania

Colonial South

Resources for researching Colonial South (Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, etc.)

• Social Conditions in Colonial Virginia

Colonial Era Records in England

It wasn't uncommon for early colonial immigrants (and later ones too) to also own or be entitled to inherit property back in England (and Scotland and Ireland).

1. University of Nottingham's Learning Skills for Historical Documents provides guidance and assistance for researchers. Using original records for the first time can be quite daunting. The handwriting can be hard to read; unfamiliar words and phrases are often used; and it can be difficult to know which documents to use in order to find relevant information. 'Historical Skills' units give advice relating to using and understanding old records.

Colonial Researchers on WeRelate

• Jillaine Smith (New England)
• Amelia Gerlicher (New England, North Carolina)