How to Research the Philpott Family on FamilySearch

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for researching the Philpott family using FamilySearch.org's various search tools and records.

How to Research the Philpott Family on FamilySearch

FamilySearch.org offers a wealth of resources for tracing your ancestors, including the collaborative Family Tree and extensive historical records. Follow these steps to begin your research into the Philpott family.

1. Start with an Initial Search in the Family Tree

• Navigate to FamilySearch.org and sign in or create a free account.
• From the top menu, hover over Family Tree and click on Find.
• In the "Find by Name" section, enter "Philpott" in the Last Names field.
• To refine your search, add any known information such as a First Names (e.g., "John"), a Birth Year (e.g., "1850"), and a Birth Place (e.g., "Kent, England"). The more details you provide, the more precise your results will be.
• Click the Find button.
• Review the list of potential Philpott individuals. Click on any name to view their person page in the Family Tree, where you can see their family relationships, sources, and other details.

2. Search for Historical Records

• From the top menu, hover over Search and click on Records.
• On the "Search Historical Records" page, enter "Philpott" in the Last Names field.
• Enter a known First Names (if any) and a Birth Year Range (e.g., "1845-1855").
• Add a Place where your Philpott ancestor might have lived (e.g., "Kent, England") in the "Places" section. You can type in a place and select from the dropdown suggestions.
• For more precise matches, check the Exact box next to a field like "Last Names" or "Birth Year" to ensure only exact matches are returned.
• Click the Search button.
• On the results page, use the filters on the left-hand side (e.g., "Collections," "Record Type," "Birth," "Residence") to narrow down your results further. Look for records like censuses, vital records (births, marriages, deaths), and probate records that might contain Philpott family members.
• Click on a record title to view its details, and if available, click on the record image to see the original document.

3. Utilize the FamilySearch Catalog

• From the top menu, hover over Search and click on Catalog.
• In the "Search the FamilySearch Catalog" section, change the search type from "Places" to Surname.
• Enter "Philpott" in the Surname field.
• Click the Search button.
• Review the results, which often list record collections (like land records, wills, church records) that focus on a specific surname or were created in areas where many Philpotts lived.
• Click on a title to see details about the record, including which films or digital images are available for viewing.

4. Explore the FamilySearch Research Wiki

• From the top menu, hover over Search and click on Research Wiki.
• In the search bar, type in a geographical location where you know or suspect Philpotts lived (e.g., "Kent, England Genealogy" or "Virginia Genealogy").
• Click on the suggested wiki article.
• The Wiki provides in-depth research strategies, lists of record types, and links to online resources specific to that place. While it might not have an article specifically for "Philpott," understanding the records available for the places they lived is crucial for effective surname research.

5. Refine Your Research

• As you find new information (names, dates, places, relatives), go back to the search tools and add these details to create more specific searches.
• Remember to examine any "hints" that appear on a person's page in the Family Tree, as these are often suggestions for records that might belong to that individual.
• Save any valuable discoveries to your personal FamilySearch profile to build your family tree and contribute to the shared tree.