Alaska
Alaska genealogy
Alaska genealogy reaches from Indigenous communities and Russian America through the Gold Rush, territorial Alaska, military settlements, migration, and statehood in 1959. Research often crosses Alaska, Canada, the Pacific Northwest and federal records, making local archives and historical collections especially important.
Alaska genealogy resources
A major Alaska genealogy directory with links to archives, vital records, land records, newspapers, Native resources, historical collections and research aids.
Explore resources →Genealogy resources include naturalization, Pioneer Home residents, probate, teachers, military records and historical vital-record information.
Research the archives →A useful guide to Alaska genealogy resources, historical collections, organizations and research institutions.
Open genealogy guide →Digital photographs, documents, maps, oral histories and other historical materials from Alaska collections.
Search digital collections →Federal records relating to American Indian and Alaska Native communities, including historical records held by the National Archives.
Explore NARA resources →Chronicling America provides access to historic Alaska newspaper titles and digitized newspaper material.
Browse Alaska newspapers →Alaska vital & family records
Alaska's historical vital-record resources include records and indexes extending back into the territorial period and earlier historical material.
Alaska State Archives →Death certificates, historical indexes and related archival material can provide important evidence for Alaska families.
Death-record resources →Marriage research may involve state vital records, local jurisdictions, church records and earlier territorial sources.
Marriage research →Probate indexes and estate records can provide relationships, residences, property information and evidence for earlier generations.
Probate resources →AKGenWeb provides Alaska-focused records including births, deaths, marriages, military material, naturalization, directories and obituaries.
Browse records →Historical Alaska collections include naturalization, vital records, military records, census material and other indexed or digitized records.
Search collections →Alaska research areas
Alaska historical research
Research before U.S. acquisition in 1867 can involve Russian colonial records, Orthodox Church sources and records connected with Alaska Native communities.
Library of Congress →Territorial records cover government, courts, land, probate, naturalization, education and many other aspects of life before statehood.
Collection guides →The Klondike and Nome gold rushes created major migration flows and left extensive documentary traces across Alaska and the Yukon.
Klondike history →Genealogical research may require combining federal, territorial, local, community and cultural sources.
Federal Native records →Statehood in 1959 created a new governmental framework, while earlier territorial records remain essential for many family histories.
State Archives →Specialized genealogy resources can help identify people who travelled north during the Klondike Gold Rush.
Stampeder genealogy →Alaska Native genealogy
National Archives holdings include records concerning American Indian and Alaska Native communities, agencies and institutions.
NARA →BIA resources can provide historical and administrative context for Alaska Native communities and federal Indian affairs.
BIA →Cultural and historical resources representing Alaska Native peoples and communities.
Heritage Center →Resources relating to the cultures, histories and communities of Southeast Alaska Native peoples.
Sealaska Heritage →Language resources can be valuable when researching community history, names, places and cultural context.
Language Center →Continue to the GeneticVoyage resource hub for Alaska Native peoples and genealogy-related research.
Open GeneticVoyage resource →Alaska Gold Rush genealogy
Research guides and free public resources for identifying people connected with the Klondike Gold Rush.
Research stampers →Historical information about individuals and communities connected with the Klondike Gold Rush.
Explore people →Background on the major gold-rush migrations that transformed Alaska and the Yukon region.
Gold Rush history →Cemetery research can help identify people who died in Alaska and the Yukon during the Gold Rush era.
Cemetery research →Newspapers can reveal arrivals, mining activity, marriages, deaths, court cases and community life.
Search newspapers →Federal land records can help trace settlement, property and migration patterns in Alaska.
BLM land records →Military, immigration & institutional records
Alaska-related military collections include historical service and discharge records as well as World War-era material.
FamilySearch →Historical Pioneer Home records and indexes can provide useful clues about residents and their lives in Alaska.
Research Pioneer Home records →Naturalization records can document immigration, residence, nationality and the path to U.S. citizenship.
Naturalization resources →The Seattle regional archives are an important federal repository for records relating to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
NARA Seattle →AKGenWeb brings together a number of specialized Alaska records and indexes.
Browse AKGenWeb records →The national gravesite locator can help locate burial information for U.S. military veterans.
Search gravesites →Alaska newspapers & digital collections
Browse historic Alaska newspaper titles and digitized newspaper issues.
Search Alaska titles →Photographs, maps, documents, oral histories and other digitized historical collections.
Open digital archives →Books, newspapers, directories and historical publications that may contain Alaska family references.
Search Internet Archive →Historical books and publications can reveal biographies, local histories, organizations and family connections.
Search Google Books →Locate books, manuscripts, newspapers and other materials held by libraries around the world.
Search WorldCat →Maps, photographs, manuscripts, newspapers and other collections relating to Alaska and its history.
Explore collections →Alaska genealogy databases
Location-based Alaska collections including vital, naturalization, military and other historical records.
Search →Large collections of census, vital, military, immigration and other records relevant to Alaska research.
Search →International genealogy collections, family trees and historical records that may connect Alaska families with other regions.
Search →Historical records and newspapers useful for tracing migration into Alaska and connections outside the state.
Search →Cemetery and memorial information can help establish burial places and family relationships.
Search →Digitized cemetery records and grave information that can complement other Alaska research.
Search →How to research an Alaska ancestor
Determine the community, settlement, district, borough, census area or historical jurisdiction associated with your ancestor.
Separate Russian America, territorial Alaska, Gold Rush-era records and post-statehood records before choosing sources.
Check AKGenWeb, Alaska State Archives, Alaska State Library and digital Alaska collections before relying only on broad databases.
Many Alaska families had strong connections to Washington, Oregon, California, Canada and other parts of the United States.
Newspapers can provide details about arrivals, employment, mining, marriages, deaths, court cases and community events.
Use multiple independent sources to distinguish people with similar names and confirm relationships.
Continue your Alaska research
Alaska family history often requires research across several jurisdictions and historical periods. Start with the local Alaska sources, then follow your ancestor through migration, federal records, newspapers, land records and community collections.