10 Surprising Places to Find Your Ancestors’ Family Bible

Can’t find the family Bible? Don’t miss out on vital genealogy records without checking these 10 places for your ancestor’s family Bible.

Family Bibles are a cornerstone of genealogy research and are the one record genealogy researchers long to find. It can also be one of the most difficult of all genealogy records to find. They often contain records of births, marriages, and deaths, recorded at the time of the events. But what happens when you can’t locate one? Here are 10 alternative places you might not have checked yet.

The History of Family Bibles

Family Bibles date back centuries and were often given as wedding or special occasion gifts. Many publishers designed them with designated pages to easily record significant life events such as births, marriages, and deaths. These records became the official documentation of a family’s history, especially in times and places where formal vital records were unavailable.

Over the years, Family Bibles have evolved into unique heirlooms, passed down through generations as a testament to a family’s legacy.

Why Are Family Bibles So Valuable in Genealogy?

Genealogy and family history researchers seek out family Bibles because they served as personal recordkeepers before formal vital records existed. Entries were often made as events occurred, making them reliable sources of information.

These Bibles were passed down through generations, with each owner contributing to its history. One of my favorite things is to see the different handwritings in the family Bible. Those different styles represent the different individuals who were recording the family history.

Unfortunately, many Bibles have been lost due to environmental damage, migration, or house cleanouts. If one didn’t make it down your family line, there are still ways to locate it.

Why Are Family Bibles So Hard to Find?

If not cared for, a family Bible could easily not survive many generations to be part of today’s generation. Exposure to heat/cold/moisture could have easily caused the destruction of older Bibles. Were your ancestors migrating pioneers? That family Bible could have been lost along the way.

And….we’ve all heard the stories of families cleaning out the old homeplace and throwing out all those “old pictures” and books (including the Bible), because “we don’t know who those people are.” I physically cringe every time I hear a story like that! Unfortunately, it happens.

However….the loss of the Family Bible in your family line does not mean you as a genealogy researcher are out of options for finding a family Bible to use in your research. You have options for places to look!

Questions to Ask Relatives

Before getting into external resources to look for the family Bible, start by reaching out to your relatives. If you are new to genealogy research, the best place to start any genealogy research is within your own family. If you have been researching genealogy for a while now, but you skipped this step – it’s time to start reaching out to those distant cousins.  It’s a crucial (and often overlooked step) for many researchers.

Here are some questions that might help you track down a family Bible:

• Have you ever seen a family Bible in the home or among family possessions?
• Do you know who might have inherited it?
• Have you heard stories about a family Bible being passed down or lost?
• Were there specific events or family members who were known to keep detailed records?
• Do you know if anyone in the extended family might still have it?

These questions can spark conversations and may lead to unexpected discoveries.

The one thing I want you to remember when searching for that family Bible is that while the family Bible may not have come down your side of the family (or did not survive) does not mean one did not come down a collateral line. 

10 Places to Search for a Family Bible

If asking relatives hasn’t led to the Bible, don’t give up hope. Sometimes they find their way into unexpected places. These overlooked resources can help you track down the family Bible, even if it didn’t come down your direct line.

1.The State Archives/State Library 

Many state archives and/or state libraries have family Bibles in their collections. Many are even actually seeking out family Bibles to scan and preserve.  Fortunately, for us as researchers some are digitizing their collections and making them available in their digital collections. The important thing to remember is to check back periodically to see if new family Bibles have been added that might be of help in your research.

[Genealogy Tip: If you research North Carolina ancestors, the North Carolina Family Records section if the archive’s digital collection hold numerous family Bibles.]

2. The Internet Archive

The Internet Archive is an expansive digital library offering free access to millions of historical documents, books, and multimedia files, making it an excellent resource for genealogy research. A quick search of the term “Family Bible” yielded some fascinating examples of family Bibles.

Notice multiple listings for various family Bibles including the Gilbert Family Bible dating back to 1812.  Definitely, include the Internet Archive in your search.

3. WorldCat

WorldCat is a global catalog of library collections that helps you locate family Bibles and other genealogical materials in libraries around the world, making it a key tool for researchers. Using WorldCat to search for a family Bibles, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the possibilities.  Now I always include WordCat in my searches for family Bibles. 

If you are new to WorldCat, learn how to perform searches in How To Use WorldCat For Your Genealogy Research.

4. The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) 

Another often overlooked genealogy resource is the Digital Public Library of America. DPLA can be a good overall resource for your genealogy research, too! A quick search for “family Bible” resulted in this sampling of Bibles.

5. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) 

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has a large collection of copies of family Bibles – both original images and transcriptions. Start your search in their Library Catalog.

6. Ancestors At Rest

Ancestors at Rest is a relatively “new – to – me” website that contains numerous family Bibles across the U.S. Some entries provide transcriptions while others offer the digital images. It is an eclectic collection, but one you want to include in your search.

7. Bible Records Online

Bible Records Online has over 1100 Bibles online and over 3400 different surnames. This is an older site that has not been updated since 2016. Typically, an older site like this would not be recommended, but the family Bible information is good. Search by surname or just browse the collection.

8. Ebay Online Auction Site

Sadly, family photos and other ephemera and Bibles end up on online auction sites like Ebay.  A search on “family Bibles genealogy” yielded over 1900+ results. Here is a small sample:

I recommend you set up an “alert” to be notified if a particular family of interest’s family Bible or other ephemera appears for sale on ebay.

9. Historical Societies and Museums

Be sure and check with historical societies and museums in the area where you ancestors lived for relevant family Bibles. For example, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture has an online searchable database that includes family Bibles. Here is an example:

10. Online Genealogy Databases

Do not forget to check those online genealogy databases such as FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, MyHeritage and FindMyPast for a family Bible. Here is a sample of the results from a search on Ancestry.com using the keywords “Family Bible”. 

Seventy-two results were returned. While this is not a lot, if your family Bible is among those, you can proceed with the genealogy happy dance.

Common Missteps to Avoid

When searching for a family Bible, it’s easy to overlook important steps or fall into common traps. Here are some mistakes to avoid:

• Ignoring Collateral Lines: The Bible might have been passed down a branch of the family you haven’t considered.
• Overlooking Local Resources: Don’t skip local archives or historical societies in your search.
• Failing to Document Your Search: Keep detailed notes on where you’ve searched, what you’ve found, and any leads to follow up on.
• Assuming All Records Are Online: Some of the best finds are in physical collections that haven’t been digitized.

By being mindful of these missteps, you can refine your approach and increase your chances of success in locating this important piece of family history.

After You Find a Family Bible

You found a family Bible. Yippee! 

Now what? Start analyzing the people and dates and the Bible itself.  

Consider what the Bible may or may not tell you?

Is the information found in the Family Bible accurate?  Is the information a primary or secondary source?

Hop over and read 3 Strategies For Examining the Family Bible to get started or check out this video:

 

Final Thoughts

Finding a family Bible can be a rewarding experience that connects you with your ancestors in a meaningful way. By searching these 10 alternative locations, and using the additional strategies shared here, you’ll increase your chances of uncovering this valuable resource.

Check out these other posts of interest!

• 5 Types of Genealogical Info Found on a Death Certificate
• Finding Children Between the Census Years
• How to Analyze Your Ancestor’s Birth Certificate