Genealogical Research cont’d
Internet Search
There has been a great effort to put
historical and genealogical information online. You can access the files of
libraries, historical societies, museums, government records, churches, and
other genealogists. To make things easier, some sites bring all this data
together for you—usually for a fee. Sites that have lists of websites are
valuable because there are hundreds of genealogy sites and tools. Here are a
few to get you started:
Site searches and
databases
- Cyndi’s List of genealogical sites
on the internet Probably the largest index of genealogy related sites. It will lead you to
databases, articles, tutorials, anything genealogical you can imagine.
- Rootsweb Great search tool with a large database. Rootsweb is
affiliated with ancestry.com. You will have to pay a membership fee to conduct
a search.
- USGenWeb Government sponsored project. Search state vital statistics
records Free.
- JRWhipple.com Has, among other things, a Surname List. Formerly the Rand Genealogy Club. Free.
- Genealogy Toolbox Lists of useful
genealogical sites—many free.
- Family Tree Maker Online Lots of free articles. You will have to pay an annual $70 fee to search the
records, however.
- National Archives Records are not on line, but microfilm indexes are & info on how to conduct
research in different types of US records—Census, military, immigration records
(ship passenger lists), property transfers and usage.
- Minnesota Historical Society Family history section
- National Archives of the United Kingdom British and European records.
- Gen UKI Searchable genealogical database for people of English and Irish
descent.
- National Underground Road Freedom
Center Search assistance for those whose ancestors migrated involuntarily due to
slavery.
- Family Search Database of the LDS Church.
Networking
Facebook, the largest networking site availale to connect and share with family.
Create a family website or blog and invite others to
share family information. Look for others who are doing the same and share. A
blog is a sort of online diary that you add to frequently. Others can make comments on
your blog, but you control the content. Here are a couple of sites where you
can set up free blogs.
Blogger.com and Wordress.org
Build a GEDCOM
GEneologicalDataCOMmunications is a
standardized genealogical database that you can share with others. It’s a must
for serious genealogists. Some allow you to make lots of fancy charts. The
Personal Ancestral File (PAF) is pretty basic but does a great job, and it’s
free. Download it at FamilySearch.org.
Genealogy
charts
Also called
ancestor, descendent, or pedigree charts, similar to kinship or clan charts.
They come in a variety of forms—hourglass, bow-tie, fan chart, etc. Charts help
you visualize family connections. A family tree is a simplified type of chart.
Here are some places to get free family trees and charts:
Genealogical Terms
Become
familiar with genealogical terms before you begin your search. Buy a
genealogical dictionary and carry it with you when you do research. Use these
terms when taking notes and publishing your project.
Dictionary of Genealogy by Terrick V. H. Fitzhugh, hardcover under $30
Ancestry’s Concise Genealogical Dictionary compiled by Maurine Harris & Glen Harris, paperback
under $10
Or, you can find online
genealogy dictionaries. Try the Genealogy Glossary at Genealogy.com
There
are also many area and culture-specific dictionaries to help you further.
1|2 >Back
Back to top
| Home | Overview | Preservation | Interviews | Historic Background | Photo Editing | Genealogy | Video |
| Family Website | Family Scrapbook | Write a Book | About the Coach | Site Map | Privacy Policy |
Copyright September 2009 Family History Coach All rights reserved Last update April 27, 2010
