Territories
& Districts

 

of the United States

 

 

 

 

An Introduction

Gen-Tool Kit

Researching

 by Surname

 

 

Researching

by Location

Internet Resources

Contact Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

introduction

Introduction

 

 

 

American Samoa

District of Columbia

Guam

Northern Mariana Islands

Puerto Rico

U.S. Virgin Islands

 

 

     Although the 50 states compose the vast bulk of the U.S. land mass; the two other areas considered integral parts of the country are the District of Columbia, the federal district where the capital, Washington, is located; and Palmyra Atoll, an uninhabited but incorporated territory in the Pacific Ocean. The United States also possesses five major overseas territories: Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands in the Caribbean; and American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific. Those born in the territories (except for American Samoa) possess U.S. citizenship. American citizens residing in the territories have many of the same rights and responsibilities as citizens residing in the states; however, they are generally exempt from federal income tax, may not vote for president, and have only nonvoting representation in the U.S. Congress.

 

American

 Samoa

American Samoa (Samoan: Amerika Sāmoa or Sāmoa Amelika) is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa (formerly known as Western Samoa). The main (largest and most populous) island is Tutuila, with the Manuʻa Islands, Rose Atoll, and Swains Island also included in the territory. American Samoa is part of the Samoan Islands chain, located west of the Cook Islands, north of Tonga, and some 300 miles (500 km) south of Tokelau. To the west are the islands of the Wallis and Futuna group. The 2000 census showed a total population of 57,291. The total land area is 200.22 km2 (77 sq mi), slightly more than Washington, D.C.

Historical Information: History of Samoa and History of American Samoa

 

District of

Columbia

 

     Washington, D.C. formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States, founded on July 16, 1790. The City of Washington was originally a separate municipality within the Territory of Columbia until an act of Congress in 1871 effectively merged the City and the Territory into a single entity called the District of Columbia. It is for this reason that the city, while legally named the District of Columbia, is known as Washington, D.C.

     The city is located on the north bank of the Potomac River and is bordered by the states of Virginia to the southwest and Maryland to the other sides. The District has a resident population of 591,833; because of commuters from the surrounding suburbs, its population rises to over one million during the workweek. The Washington Metropolitan Area, of which the District is a part, has a population of 5.3 million, the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the country.

     Article One of the United States Constitution provides for a federal district, distinct from the states, to serve as the permanent national capital. The centers of all three branches of the federal government of the United States are located in the District, as are many of the nation's monuments and museums. Washington, D.C. hosts 174 foreign embassies as well as the headquarters of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organization of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The headquarters of other institutions such as trade unions, lobbying groups, and professional associations are also located in the District.

     The United States Congress has supreme authority over Washington, D.C.; residents of the city therefore have less self-governance than residents of the states. The District has a non-voting at-large Congressional delegate, but no senators. D.C. residents could not vote in presidential elections until the ratification of the Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1961.

Historical Information: History of Washington, D.C.

Guam

Guam is an island in the western Pacific Ocean and is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. The island's capital is Hagĺtńa (formerly Agana). Guam is the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands.

The Chamorros, Guam's indigenous people, first populated the island approximately 4,000 years ago.  The island has a long history of European colonialism beginning on March 6, 1521 with the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan and again in 1668, when the first Spanish colony was established following the arrival of settlers including Padre San Vitores, a Catholic missionary. The island was controlled by Spain until 1898, when it was surrendered to the United States as part of the Treaty of Paris following Spanish American War.

Historical Information: History of Guam

Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, occupying a strategic region of the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of fifteen islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines, at 15°1′2″N 145°4′5″E / 15.01722°N 145.06806°E / 15.01722; 145.06806. The United States Census Bureau reports the total land area of all islands as 179.01 square miles (463.63 km˛).

The Northern Mariana Islands has a population of 80,362 (2005 estimate). The official 2000 census count was 69,221. Only three of the fifteen islands, Saipan, Tinian and Rota, have a significant population. The islands of Agrihan and Alamagan have fewer than ten residents, and the remaining ten islands are unpopulated. The Northern Mariana Islands have the lowest male to female sex ratio in the world with an average of 76 men to every 100 women.  That is due to the overwhelming female majority of foreign workers, especially in the garment industry.

Historical Information: History of Northern Mariana Islands

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico, officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Spanish: "Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico" — literally Associated Free State of Puerto Rico), is a self-governing unincorporated territory of the United States located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico is composed of an archipelago that includes the main island of Puerto Rico and a number of smaller islands, the largest of which are Vieques, Culebra, and Mona. The main island of Puerto Rico is the smallest by land area and second smallest by population among the four Greater Antilles, which also include Cuba, Hispaniola, and Jamaica.

     Puerto Ricans often call the island Borinquen, from Borikén, its indigenous Taíno name. The terms boricua and borincano derive from Borikén and Borinquen respectively, and are commonly used to identify someone of Puerto Rican heritage. The island is also popularly known as "La Isla del Encanto", which translated means "The Island of Enchantment."

Historical Information: History of Puerto Rico

 

U.S. Virgin Islands

 

 

     The United States Virgin Islands is a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an insular area of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.

     The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John and Saint Thomas, along with the much smaller but historically distinct Water Island, and many other surrounding minor islands. The total land area of the territory is 133.73 square miles (346.4 km2). As of the 2000 census the population was 108,612.

     The main islands have nicknames often used by locals: "Twin City" (St. Croix), "Rock City" (St. Thomas), "Love City" (St. John), and "Small City" (Water Island).

Historical Information: History of the United States Virgin Islands

 

 

 

 

 

gen tool

Gen-Toolkit

 

GENEALOGY AND FAMILY HISTORY

 

American Samoa

District of Columbia

Guam

Northern Mariana Islands

Puerto Rico

U.S. Virgin Islands

HISTORIC PLACES

 

American Samoa

District of Columbia

Guam

Northern Mariana Islands

Puerto Rico

U.S. Virgin Islands

 

 

 

 

 

Surname

Researching
by Surname

 

 

 

The following are surnames of persons, found within our databases,

as having been either born, married or died in this U.S. State.

 

 

McVicker; Moreland; Pinnell; Scruggs and allied families

 

 

 

 

Bozarth; Peiffer; Quigley; Rhubart and allied families

 

Dellinger; Knecht; Pfeffer; Silar and allied families

 

 

To find out more about each surname listed above click on the corresponding LINK.

Additional information regarding these surnames may also be found at:

  Surname Locator Resources

 

 

Free Genealogy Surname

Search Help from Google

 

 

 

Use this free genealogy site to help you get the best genealogy searches from Google™ by using your family tree, for your research. It will create a series of different searches using tips or   "tricks"  

that    will   likely   improve your results. The different searches will give you many different ways of using Google and the Internet to find ancestry information about this or any other Surname.

 

 

 

 

 

 

research location

Researching
by Location

 

 

Gazetteer of Places

County Research (Genealogical)

County Research (General Info.)

Where in the World are My Ancestors?

 

Gazetteer

of Places

 

The following Links will take you to gazetteers that identify places within this U.S. State.  These resources feature profiles of cities, towns, neighborhoods and subdivisions.  In addition this site contains maps, data and directions for a wide variety of physical, cultural and historic features.

 

 

Places within American Samoa

Directory of Cities and Towns in American Samoa

Directory of Places in the District of Columbia

Places in the District of Columbia

Places in Guam

Directory of Cities and Towns in Guam

Places in the Northern Mariana Islands

Directory of Cities and Towns in Puerto Rico

List of Puerto Rico landmarks

Directory of Cities and Towns in Virgin Islands

 

Sub-Division Research

(Genealogical)

 

 

Clicking on a Link (below) will take you to the County’s website.  Here you will find additional links to more information specific to that location.    The USGenWeb Project also sponsors important Special Projects, at the national level, that were created to collect and disseminate data that goes beyond county and state lines.

 

 

 

 

AMERICAN SAMOA:  Faleasao County ;   Fitiuta County;   Ituau County;   Lealataua County;   Leasina County;   Ma'Oputasi County;   Ofu County;   Olosega County;   Sa'Ole County;   Sua County;   Swains Island;   Ta'U County;   Tualatai County;   Tualauta County;   Vaifanua County

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:  Anacostia;   Brookland;   Georgetown;   Washington City

GUAM:   

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS:

PUERTO RICO:   Adjuntas Municipio;   Aguada Municipio;   Aguadilla Municipio;   Aguas Buenas Municipio;   Aibonito Municipio;   Ańasco Municipio;   Arecibo Municipio;   Arroyo Municipio;   Barceloneta Municipio;   Barranquitas Municipio;   Barros Municipio;   Bayamón Municipio;   Cabo Rojo Municipio;   Caguas Municipio;   Camuy Municipio;   Canóvanas Municipio;   Carolina Municipio;   Catańo Municipio;   Cayey Municipio;   Ceiba Municipio;   Ciales Municipio;   Cidra Municipio;   Coamo Municipio;   Comerío Municipio;   Corozal Municipio;   Culebra Municipio;   Dorado Municipio;   Fajardo Municipio;   Florida Municipio;   Guánica Municipio;   Guayama Municipio;   Guayanilla Municipio;   Guaynabo Municipio;   Gurabo Municipio;   Hatillo Municipio;   Hormigueros Municipio;   Humacao Municipio;   Isabela Municipio;   Jayuya Municipio;     Juana Díaz Municipio;   Juncos Municipio;   Lajas Municipio;   Lares Municipio;   Las Marías Municipio;   Las Piedras Municipio;   Loíza Municipio;   Luquillo Municipio;   Manatí Municipio;   Maricao Municipio;   Maunabo Municipio;   Mayagüez Municipio;   Moca Municipio;   Morovis Municipio;   Naguabo Municipio;   Naranjito Municipio;   Orocovis Municipio;   Patillas Municipio;   Peńuelas Municipio;   Ponce Municipio;   Quebradillas Municipio;   Río Grande Municipio;   Rincón Municipio;   Rio Piedras Municipio;   Sabana Grande Municipio;   Salinas Municipio;   San Germán Municipio;   San Juan Municipio;   San Lorenzo Municipio;   San Sebastián Municipio;   Santa Isabel Municipio;   Toa Alta Municipio;   Toa Baja Municipio;   Trujillo Alto Municipio;   Utuado Municipio;   Vega Alta Municipio;   Vega Baja Municipio;   Vieques Municipio;   Villalba Municipio;   Yabucoa Municipio;   Yauco Municipio;

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS:   Saint Croix;   Saint John;   Saint Thomas

 

County Research

(General)

 

Wikipedia is a multilingual, Web-based, free-content encyclopedia project based mostly on anonymous contributions. Clicking on a Link (below) will take you to the Wikipedia article about the county.  Here you will find additional links to guide the user to related pages with additional information.

 

 

 

 

AMERICAN SAMOA: Eastern District, American Samoa;   Manu'a;   Western District, American Samoa

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: 

GUAM:    Agana Heights, Agat, Asan‑Maina, Barrigada, Chalan‑Pago‑Ordot, Dededo, Hagĺtńa, Inarajan, Mangilao, Merizo, Mongmong‑Toto‑Maite, Piti, Santa Rita, Sinajana, Talofofo, Tamuning, Umatac, Yigo, Yona.

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS:   Farallon de Pajaros (Uracas);   Maug Islands;   Asuncion;   Agrihan (Agrigan);   Pagan;   Alamagan;   Guguan;   Zealandia Bank;   Sarigan;   Anatahan;   Farallon de Medinilla;   Saipan;   Tinian;   Aguijan (Agiguan);   Rota

 

PUERTO RICO:  

Adjuntas

Aguada

Aguadilla

Aguas Buenas

Aibonito

Ańasco

Arecibo

Arroyo

Barceloneta

Barranquitas

Bayamón

Cabo Rojo

Caguas

Camuy

Canóvanas

Carolina

Catańo

Cayey

Ceiba

Ciales

Cidra

Coamo

Comerío

Corozal

Culebra

Dorado

Fajardo

Florida

Guánica

Guayama

Guayanilla

Guaynabo

Gurabo

Hatillo

Hormigueros

Humacao

Isabela

Jayuya

Juana Díaz

Juncos

Lajas

Lares

Las Marías

Las Piedras

Loíza

Luquillo

Manatí

Maricao

Maunabo

Mayagüez

Moca

Morovis

Naguabo

Naranjito

Orocovis

Patillas

Peńuelas

Ponce

Quebradillas

Rincón

Río Grande

Sabana Grande

Salinas

San Germán

San Juan (capital)

San Lorenzo

San Sebastián

Santa Isabel

Toa Alta

Toa Baja

Trujillo Alto

Utuado

Vega Alta

Vega Baja

Vieques

Villalba

Yabucoa

Yauco

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS:  

 

 

 

 

Where in the World

are My Ancestors?

 

Resources which enhance our knowledge of the places inhabited by our ancestors are almost as important as their names. The LINK

MAPS

GAZETTEERS

to the right will take you to Maps, Gazetteers,   and other helpful  resources  that will assist you in discovering Ancestral Locations. 

 

 

 

 

Internet
Resources

 

 

 

The Google search engine

 button  and following web

sites    may     provide    you

with additional information

to assist with your research

about   this   U. S.   State. 

 

 

GENERAL RESOURCES

 

 

·           Website & Webpages We Like

·           Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

·           Free Genealogy Search Help For Google

·           Linkpendium > Genealogy > USA

·           Genealogy Gateway

·           Ancestry.com (Reference Materials & Finding Aids)

·           Ancestry.com - Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

·           GenealogyLinks.net

·        Cyndi's List - United States Index

·        IGI Batch Numbers - British Isles & North America

·        Libweb - Libraries on the Web

·        50states.com - States and Capitals

·        RootsWeb Town Search 1.0

·        USA Resources at RootsWeb

·        StateGenSites - U.S. Genealogy Sites by State

·        The USGenWeb Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOCATION SPECIFIC RESOURCES

American Samoa

·American Samoa - Wikipedia

·American Samoa Information (50 States.com)

·Linkpendium – American Samoa

·        Cyndi’s List (American Samoa)

·        RootsWeb Message Board (American Samoa)

·        Family Search - American Samoa

 

District of Columbia

 

·District of Columbia - Wikipedia

·District of Columbia Information (50 States.com)

·Linkpendium – District of Columbia

·        Cyndi’s List (District of Columbia)

·        RootsWeb Message Board (District of Columbia)

·        Family Search - District of Columbia

 

Guam

 

 

·Guam - Wikipedia

·Guam Information (50 States.com)

·Linkpendium – Guam

·        Cyndi’s List (Guam)

·        RootsWeb Message Board (Guam)

·        Family Search - Guam

 

 

Northern Mariana Islands

 

·N. Mariana Islands - Wikipedia

·N. Mariana Islands Information (50 States.com)

·Linkpendium – N. Mariana Islands

·        Cyndi’s List (N. Mariana Islands)

·        Family Search - N. Mariana Islands

 

Puerto Rico

 

·Puerto Rico - Wikipedia

·Puerto Rico Information (50 States.com)

·Linkpendium – Puerto Rico

·        Cyndi’s List (Puerto Rico)

·        RootsWeb Message Board (Puerto Rico)

·        Family Search - Puerto Rico

 

U.S. Virgin Islands

 

·U.S. Virgin Islands - Wikipedia

·U.S. Virgin Islands Information (50 States.com)

·Linkpendium – U.S. Virgin Islands

·        Cyndi’s List (U.S. Virgin Islands)

·        RootsWeb Message Board (U.S. Virgin Islands)

·        Family Search - U.S. Virgin Islands

 

 

 

 

OUR GENEALOGY REFERENCE LIBRARY

 

 

The following Link will take you to our library of genealogy reference books that pertain to this U.S. State.   Here you will find books about the history and records of this State, as well as its counties and other localities such as towns and churches.   The collection also contains research works about State military units and personnel during America’s wars.  In addition, there are resource texts about the ethnic and religious groups who settled in this State.

 

U.S.A. Locations Library - States, Counties, & Localities

 

 

 

 

Contact Information

Contact Information

 

 

 

Email

Snail Mail:

Fred
889 Dante Ct.
Mantua, NJ 08051

USA

Email

Pony Express:

Tom
27 Christopher Dr.
Burton, NB E2V3H4
Canada