Genealogy Resources on the Internet and in the Library

BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING
Before searching for your ancestors, take the time to write down what you already know. Beginning with yourself, work as far backward as you can. Write down your parents’ names (mother by maiden name) and any other information you know, such as date and place of birth (and death if appropriate), occupation, other family members, etc. Then do the same for their parents (your grandparents), for as many generations back as you can.

GETTING STARTED
Once you have gathered what you know, it is time to begin. The Internet is an excellent tool that can teach you how to do genealogy research as well as lead you to the information you need to build your family tree. The Library also owns a small collection of books you may find useful as well.

The Genealogist’s Question and Answer Book
Marcia Yannizze Melnyk
REF. 929.1 MELNYK

A good place to begin if you’ve never done any genealogy research before; describes various kinds of ancestry records and the type of resources used by genealogists.

www.familysearch.com

A website sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), provides a wide range of resources: tutorial on how to do genealogy research, sample forms (such as a Pedigree Chart), and multiple databases that provide a number of search opportunities.

FINDING RESOURCES
Once you have a feel for what you need to find, these resources may help you locate it.

Cyndi’s List
Cindi Howells
REF. 929.1 HOWELLS
and on the web at
www.cyndislist.com
Both the book and the website offer a comprehensive list of genealogy sites on the Internet. One of the best.

On-line Roots
Pamela Boyer Porter
REF. 929.1 PORTER
An excellent book that guides you through genealogy research using the Internet.

ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com
Excellent free access to the Social Security Death Index, a prime tool in genealogical research.

www.ellisisland.org
Ship manifest information for the millions who came to the U.S. through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1924.

www.usgenweb.org
Comprehensive site with links to all states genweb project sites

www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy
While the Mormon Church in Utah has the largest genealogy collection in North America, the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana has the largest collection in a public library. Visit the library’s website for tips on how to research as well as for links to genealogy resources on the Internet.