Jump Start Your Family Tree Online |
by Barbara Ann Renick |
Barb@ZRoots.com |
'Copyright 2005 by Barbara Renick
|
|
The first step when doing research is always to see what has already been done on that surname in that locality to avoid a duplication of effort. Today, you can search farther and faster than ever before to jump start your family tree online.
Part I: Introduction
A. Genealogical research is an ongoing process that takes place in five phases. These phases are repeated over and over again as you fill in the missing pieces of your family tree.
B. There are many online resources to help jump start your survey phase of research. To a lesser extent, online resources help with your background and research phases, as well.
Part II: Databases Online
A. Varieties of Online Databases.
B. Not all lineage-linked databases are the same. Compare the following:
1. Ancestral File vs. Pedigree Resource File at
FamilySearch Internet | |
2.
Ancestry World Tree
vs. Ancestry's OneWorldTreeSM | |
3. GenCircles (www.gencircles.com) |
C. The evolution of pedigree (lineage-linked) online databases.
1.
Ancestral File (match/merged by computer) | |
2.
Pedigree Resource File (a multiplicity of submissions preserved intact and currently published on CDs) | |
3. Ancestry.com's
Post-Ems in AWT
and pegging in OneWorldTreeSM | |
4. GenCircles'
Smart Matching | |
5. The future? |
D. Where to Go First?
Part III: Queries Past, Present, and Future
A. Free queries (to post or to search) are a standard part of both the USGenWeb (http://www.usgenweb.org/) and WorldGenWeb (http://www.worldgenweb.org/) Project.
B. Search past queries online at these GenWeb Project sites.
C. Message Boards (RootsWeb/Ancestry.com's GenConnect and Genealogy.com's GenForum) are places where genealogical messages are archived and searchable.
D. While online don't forget to search mail lists, too.
E. Resources for locating printed queries in periodicals.
Part IV: Locating a Family History/Local History Book in a Library
A. In the era B.C. (Before Computers and the Internet), genealogists went from library to library looking for something to look in. Today, genealogists do their homework by searching in online library catalogs before going out to do research on location.
B. However, it should be noted that many institutions have not had the funds to retro-catalog. This means their electronic catalogs contain all accessions after a certain date with all prior acquisitions being listed only in their original paper card catalog(s). It is not uncommon for a library or archives to have more than one catalog covering different parts of their collections.
C. WorldCat is a meta-catalog of materials (particularly local history materials in regular collections, special collections, and digitized materials) in more than 9,000 institutions across the United States and in many foreign countries. This meta-catalog has more than 57 million entries searchable online. Many entries represent non-U.S. materials both in U.S. libraries and libraries abroad. WorldCat is available exclusively by subscription to libraries and organizations. It is not available for subscriptions by individuals.
D. Heritage Quest Online is a major resource for your survey phase searches.
Part V: Survey Phase Techniques
A.
Repeat your survey phase at least annually. Genealogical
resources are being added to online databases at a phenomenal rate.
B.
During your survey phase you are working mostly with
compiled sources'so don't believe it's true just because it's in print or
online.
C.
Check out society Web sites (using genealogical,
historical, and lineage society sites) for their unique resources and databases.
D.
State library and archives sites are rich in resources
plus links to other resource sites, too.
E.
Finding Personal Web sites via Search Engines may be the
hardest way to contact other researchers and share information about your family
trees.
F. Search geometrically (not just for your ancestor's name, but rather for clusters of associated names).