St. George FamilySearch Library has access to an excellent research tool called the Accelerated Indexing System (AIS) that offers on microfiche an alphabetical listings of many of the people living in the United States between 1607 and 1906. Each AIS index covers a fairly broad time period (ten or more years) and a large geographical area (such as several states) which makes it easier to find your ancestor. The listing format makes identifying names easier as well as learning their location and the source of information such as in colonial petitions, passenger arrivals, naturalizations, tax, voter lists, census and more.
If your ancestor appears in the AIS indexes, you can usually locate the call number for the original source document in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog.
The following information came from the FamilySearch Wiki article covering the AIS 4 step method to access names and information. A link to this Wiki page is at the bottom of this article.
The following information came from the FamilySearch Wiki article covering the AIS 4 step method to access names and information. A link to this Wiki page is at the bottom of this article.
Step 1: Select the right search
The AIS microfiche indexes are divided into nine groups or searches. The nine searches index records of people living in the United States from 1607 to 1906, although the majority of the records cover the federal censuses from 1790 to 1850. The searches are divided by locality and by date. These divisions are shown below.
Step 2: Find a name in the index
To find an ancestor in the AIS indexes, you must know at least the surname. If the surname is common, you may need to know more information.
In addition to the surname, it is helpful to also have the—
The AIS microfiche indexes are divided into nine groups or searches. The nine searches index records of people living in the United States from 1607 to 1906, although the majority of the records cover the federal censuses from 1790 to 1850. The searches are divided by locality and by date. These divisions are shown below.
Step 2: Find a name in the index
To find an ancestor in the AIS indexes, you must know at least the surname. If the surname is common, you may need to know more information.
In addition to the surname, it is helpful to also have the—
- Given name.
- Approximate place of residence.
- Approximate time period.
To locate your ancestor in the AIS searches—
Format of Searches 1 through 7a (above) - The entries in Searches 1 through 7a follow the
format of the chart in Step 4 section.
Format of Search 8 - The entries in Search 8 follow the format of the chart in the Step 4
section. See the Abbreviations Key at the end of the document.
If your ancestor is listed within an entry, write down the information given.
Can’t find the name you are seeking?
- Find the set of microfiche for the search you selected in step 1. Determine which microfiche your ancestor might appear in. Names are listed alphabetically by surname. The first name on each microfiche appears in large letters at the top.
- Locate your ancestor in the alphabetical listing.
Format of Searches 1 through 7a (above) - The entries in Searches 1 through 7a follow the
format of the chart in Step 4 section.
Format of Search 8 - The entries in Search 8 follow the format of the chart in the Step 4
section. See the Abbreviations Key at the end of the document.
If your ancestor is listed within an entry, write down the information given.
Can’t find the name you are seeking?
Step 4: Search the original record
Begin this step by determining what was the original record (column 5 or 6 on indexes 1 to 7a). Most entries come from federal census records. The original census records are listed in the Family History Library Catalog under UNITED STATES - CENSUS. If you need help using the catalog, ask a staff member.
Copy the call numbers from the catalog. This number will help you order the appropriate record. You may also obtain census microfilms from other libraries and archives, such as the National Archives, its regional branches, and private companies.
The format of Searches 1 through 7a is shown below.
Most other sources, usually in Search 1, are lists of residents. They may come from colonial petitions, passenger arrivals, naturalization, t, voter lists, and other sources. Search the appropriate state research outline for lists matching the type of records and date(s) given in the index. The non-census record type is often identified in column 5 or 6.
If you cannot determine the source from the state Wiki page, contact the state library, archive, or historical society mentioned in the state Wiki pages. They may be able to identify the source.
Begin this step by determining what was the original record (column 5 or 6 on indexes 1 to 7a). Most entries come from federal census records. The original census records are listed in the Family History Library Catalog under UNITED STATES - CENSUS. If you need help using the catalog, ask a staff member.
Copy the call numbers from the catalog. This number will help you order the appropriate record. You may also obtain census microfilms from other libraries and archives, such as the National Archives, its regional branches, and private companies.
The format of Searches 1 through 7a is shown below.
Most other sources, usually in Search 1, are lists of residents. They may come from colonial petitions, passenger arrivals, naturalization, t, voter lists, and other sources. Search the appropriate state research outline for lists matching the type of records and date(s) given in the index. The non-census record type is often identified in column 5 or 6.
If you cannot determine the source from the state Wiki page, contact the state library, archive, or historical society mentioned in the state Wiki pages. They may be able to identify the source.
The following link will take you to the page containing the above information:
https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Accelerated_Indexing_Systems_U.S._Census_Indexes_%28on_Microfiche%
https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Accelerated_Indexing_Systems_U.S._Census_Indexes_%28on_Microfiche%
To access AIM Search Results by State - Click on the link below - also a FamilySearch Wiki Article
https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Special:Search?fulltext=true&search=Accelerated+Indexing+Systems+U.S.+Census+Indexes+%28on+Microfiche%29
https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Special:Search?fulltext=true&search=Accelerated+Indexing+Systems+U.S.+Census+Indexes+%28on+Microfiche%29
