Contents
Contents
List of Figures ix
Foreword by Gene Stratton xi
Acknowledgments xiii
Preface xv
Part 1. How to Get Started: The Basics of Genealogical Research
on the Internet 1
What Is Genealogical and Family History Research? 1
Why Do People Do Genealogical Research? 4
How Does the Internet Support Genealogical Research? 4
Are There Things the Internet Cannot Do for the
Genealogical Researcher? 7
What Hardware and Software Do I Need to Get Started? 8
How Do I Begin a Genealogical Research Project on the
Internet? 8
Understanding Documentation and Verification of Sources 11
How Do I Evaluate Genealogical Data on the Internet and
Verify Sources? 18
How Should Librarians and Researchers Conduct a
Genealogy Reference Interview? 22
References 31
Success Story 1.1: Using Old-Fashioned Research Methods
with Web-Based Information Technology 23
By James Swan
Success Story 1.2: The Challenges of Interviewing Genealogical
Researchers 30
By Deborah Keener
Activity 1.1 Beginning a Family History Project 32
Activity 1.2 Establishing What You Know and What You Need
to Know About Your Family 33
Activity 1.3 Evaluating Genealogical Data Published on
the Internet and Verifying Sources 35
Part 2. How to Find and Use Basic Genealogical Reference
and Documentation Tools on the Web 37
The Ten Best Genealogical Reference and Documentation Tools
on the Web: 37
1. Social Security Death Records (various Web sites) 45
2. Vital Records Information for All States and Territories
of the United States and International 50
3. FamilySearch 51
4. American Family Immigration History Center 54
5. RootsWeb Genealogical Data Cooperative 56
6. USGenWeb Project 58
7. Ancestry.com 60
8. GENDEX - WWW Genealogical Index 61
9. CyndiÕs Genealogy Homepage 62
10. NARA National Archives and Records Administration
Genealogy Page 63
Other Useful Genealogical Reference Sites 63
References 65
Success Story 2.1: Using Genealogical Reference Tools on
the Web 52
By Sandra Yorkell-Parker
Activity 2.1 Identifying Recent Ancestors in the Social Security
Death Master File Indexes at Ancestry.Com and RootsWeb 67
Activity 2.2 Locating Vital Records Information for All States
and Territories of the United States, Canada, and
Other International 69
Activity 2.3 Searching the FamilySearch and American
Family Immigration History Center Databases 70
Activity 2.4 Using and Comparing the RootsWeb, CyndiÕs List,
and the SurnameWeb Metasites 72
Activity 2.5 Exploring The USGenWeb Project 74
Activity 2.6 Comparing Ancestry.com and FamilyTreeMaker.com 75
Activity 2.7 Locating A Family Name in the GENDEXÑIndex
to Family History Web Pages and the RootsWeb World
Connect Database 76
Activity 2.8 Browsing the United States Historical Census Data Browser 77
Part 3. How to Network with Living Family Members and/or
Fellow Genealogical Researchers 79
Finding Your Living Family Members and/or Fellow
Genealogical Researchers 79
Exploring Genealogical Discussion Lists, Newsgroups,
Web Boards, and Chats 83
Using E-mail to Communicate, Netiquette, and Asking
the Right Questions 83
Communicating with Your Non-Internet Connected
Family Members 87
Using the Internet to Plan Your Genealogical Research
Correspondence and Travel 88
Genealogical and Historical Societies and Organizations 88
Libraries, Archives, Museums, and Monuments 90
E-Archives 92
Library and Archives Web Sites 93
NARA National Archives and Records Administration 96
Using Courthouses and Other Local Government
Documents Archives 100
Using Cemeteries, Churches, and Other Religious
Organizations 102
Travel Resources 103
Exploring Special Genealogical Communications Topic:
Adoptees and Birth Parent Searches 104
Putting Your Family History Information on the WebÑ
GEDCOM files 105
References 109
Success Story 3.1: Pursuing Old Family Stories Through
the Web 81
By Beth A. Stahr
Success Story 3.2: Finding My Cousin and Sharing Our Family
History Research Online 82
By James Swan
Success Story 3.3: How the Making of America Project Helped
Solve a Family Puzzle 91
By Carol Taylor
Activity 3.1 Interviewing the Family 110
Activity 3.2 Finding Family Members and/or Fellow
Genealogical Researchers 111
Activity 3.3 Learning from the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA) Genealogy Page
and the NARA Archival Information Locator
(NAIL) 113
Activity 3.4 Researching with the Making of
America ProjectÑUniversity of Michigan and
Cornell University 115
Part 4. How to Locate International, African American, and Native
American Ancestors; Heraldry and Lineage Societies 117
International Genealogical Research 119
African American Genealogical Research 126
Native American Genealogical Research 131
Heraldry 136
Lineage Societies 140
References 142
Success Story 4.1: Networking and Data-Sharing with Living
Relatives in Europe and the U.S. 143
By Larry Naukam
Success Story 4.2: How African American and Native American
Genealogy Researchers Begin with Internet Research Tools 146
By Deborah Keener
Activity 4.1 Locating Internet Resources for International
Genealogical Research 147
Activity 4.2 Researching African American Genealogy on the
Internet 149
Activity 4.3 Using the NARA Web Site and Other Internet
Resources for Native American Genealogical Research 151
Activity 4.4 Learning about Heraldry and Lineage Societies
on the Internet 153
Sources 155
The Internet Genealogy Ready-Reference E-Library 157
More Readings about Genealogical Research on the
Internet 175
Glossary of Genealogy and Internet Terms 179
Index 185
About the Author 193
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