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Genealogy

Genealogy and Local History: The E.G. Fisher Library's 850+ volume collection contains books on genealogy and local history of this region. Microfilm of the local newspaper, county records and census records are available and can be photocopied. The collection also includes family and history files. This material may only be used in the library.

Use the two following resources while using computers in the library:
Ancestry Library Edition.
Heritage Quest Online

Heritage Quest Remote Access is available from home.
Just use your library barcode number to login!

More Genealogy Resources

The majority of the resources listed below are free to the public.

Learning About Genealogy
Genealogy Links and General Search Engines
Metasearch Engines
Compiled Family Data
Mailing Lists and Bulletin Boards
Historical Records
Census Records
Libraries and Archives
Tennessee History and Genealogy
People Searching and Maps
Societies
Miscellaneous Sources

Learning About Genealogy

  • Ancestors
    http://byubroadcasting.org/ancestors/
    Under Helpful Resources, click “5-step process.”
    Useful on-line tutorial with built-in tests and answer keys. Free pedigree charts and group sheets.
    To print, locate “Online Tools” and click “Free Charts.”
    A link to Adobe Acrobat Reader is provided if needed.
  • Family Search
    http://www.familysearch.com
    Site of the LDS (Mormon) church. Use “How Do I Begin” for their 5-step process for beginning genealogy. Use “Search for Ancestors: Step-by-step Research Guidance” as a tutorial for using the LDS records on the web.
  • Family Tree Maker Online
    http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com
    Commercial site from front-running genealogy software maker.
    Offers 1900 census with every-name index.
    Use the link, “Helpful Web Sites” to find How-To articles.
    Use the “Site Features” link to find Classes.

Genealogy Links and General Search Engines

  • Cyndi’s List (Links)
    http://www.cyndislist.com/
    Links to more than 100,000 genealogy-related sites.
    Use “Search It!” to search the text of the links and descriptions.
  • Hotbot (Search Engine)
    http://www.hotbot.com/
    Good general search engine. Option to search exact phrase or individual word search.
    Note advanced search options: forced inclusion/exclusion, truncation, etc.
  • Google (Search Engine)
    http://www.google.com/
    Good general search engine; claims to be the world’s most powerful.
    Offers forced exclusion and phrase searching.

Metasearch Engines

Compiled Family Data

  • Family Search
    http://www.familysearch.org/
    Search the databases of the LDS church – free of charge.
    Use “Search for Ancestors” to search four different data sources: Ancestral File – compiled genealogical data from contributors.
    IGI – individual bits of data (birth, marriage, death) from many sources.
    Pedigree File – similar to ancestral file; only the index is on the web.
    Web sites – searches sites selected by LDS, very limited.
    Some entries allow user to contact original contributor.
    Use the “Share Information” option to upload your data.
  • Ancestry World Tree
    http://www.ancestry.com/share/awt/main.htm
    Part of Ancestry’s commercial site, but this database is free.
    Family data contributed by subscribers and users.
    Note various options of ways to view data: register style is most readable.
  • Rootsweb World Connect
    http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com
    Free database using family information contributed by thousands of genealogists.
    Appears to be less comprehensive than Family Search or Ancestry World Tree, but can be used as an alternative search site.
    Some lineages appear on several sites; in other cases there will be discrepancies between sites, even about the same individual.

Mailing Lists and Bulletin Boards

  • Rootsweb Mailing Lists
    http://lists.rootsweb.com/
    Accessible to anyone with e-mail address. Receive messages posted by everyone on the list.
    Lists are not moderated, but generally subscribers follow etiquette rules.
    Use “Browse Archives” to check number of subscribers; determine popularity of lists.
  • Genforum Message Boards
    http://genforum.genealogy.com
    Accumulated messages and responses by surname, locale or subject.
    Able to show an outline of all the “threads” of responses to a single message, and to trace up and down through them.
    Check total number of postings to determine popularity of list.
    Use “Forum Finder” to search for surname lists, lists by location or subject.
  • Rootsweb Message Boards
    http://boards.rootsweb.com
    Similar to Genforum with slightly different format.
    Check both Genforum and Rootsweb, different genealogists posts to each one.
    One surname may be more active on one or the other of them.

Historical Records

  • U.S. GenWeb
    http://www.usgenweb.org/statelinks.html
    Nationwide volunteer project, with a web site for every county in the US (there is also a world-wide site).
    County pages vary in usefulness, many contain some local record abstracts.
    Pages usually also contain references to local libraries and historical/genealogical societies.
    Each page also includes query service – links to post queries or view archived queries.
  • Ancestry's Free Databases
    http://www.ancestry.com/
    Commercial site with free access to selected databases.
    Select “List all Databases” to see what is available; most will be inaccessible without subscription.
    Caution: database titles often promise more than they deliver.
  • Freedmen's Bureau
    http://freedmensbureau.com
    Full text of many records, including marriages of former slaves.
    Reports of Klan activities and other harassment of freedmen.
    Labor contracts negotiated between former slaves and landowners.
  • Federal Land
    http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/
    Search purchasers of Federal Lands beginning in 1820.
    Most lands in Alabama, Mississippi and the upper Midwest.
    View and print original land patent at no cost.
  • Social Security Death Index
    http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/
    Records for deceased members of the SS system from about 1962.
    Useful for identifying strayed family members, finding death dates.
  • Vital Records
    http://www.vitalrec.com/
    Information for obtaining births, records, marriages in each state.
    Describes which records are available by year, where to request.
    Some states allow downloading of forms and online index searches.

Census Records

  • Heritage Quest
    http://www.heritagequest.com
    Use “Census Research Headquarters” to find reel numbers for census by year and county.
    Membership is free, cost is $3.25/reel.
  • Census Microfilm Rental Program
    http://www.archives.gov/publications/microfilm_catalogs/how_to_rent_microfilm.html
    Your local library can borrow census microfilm through this service for patron use, or patrons can join as individuals.
    Fee is $7.50 per roll for first roll, with discounts on additional rolls.
  • Census Forms
    http://www.genealogy.com/00000061.html
    Forms for all census years, show all columns
    Very helpful when transcribing data – and free!
  • Soundex Converter
    http://resources.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/soundexconverter
    Rootsweb site for determining Soundex code.
    Use in conjunction with Heritage Quests reel listings for Soundex.
  • Census Online
    http://www.census-online.com
    Follow “Links to Online Data” and search by state/county.
    Very few full transcriptions are on the web; many partials or special census records.
  • Statistical Census Data
    http://icg.fas.harvard.edu/~census
    Powerful search engine for census data including population, religion, manufacturing and agriculture, slavery, ethnic groups.
    Not for individual name searching; but to learn about ancestors’ locale.
    Search by census year for state summaries, then break down by counties.
    Match two or more variables for comparisons; use graphing function.
  • Clues in Census Records
    http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/cenclues.html
    Quick reminder page for important changes in data collected by each census.
    Useful link to NARA’s naturalization page.

Libraries and Archives

  • LDS Library
    http://www.familysearch.org
    From the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) in Salt Lake.
    Under Family History Library, link to extensive catalog of books and microfilm.
    Note that these records include both original documents(microfilmed county records, for example) and published works.
    Microfilm (but not print materials) may be borrowed through their Family History Library System. Addresses and hours provided.
  • Library of Congress
    http://www.lcweb.loc.gov/rr/genealogy
    Massive catalog can be searched on line, beginning at their genealogy page.
    Limitation: a large database, so a high number of irrelevant hits is common.
  • LSG: Genealogy Libraries on the Web
    http://www.genealogy.org/~holdiman/LSG/libraries.html
    Not a comprehensive list, but a good way to find a genealogy library in a place you are not familiar with.

Tennessee History and Genealogy

  • Tennessee State Library and Archives
    http://www.tennessee.gov/tsla/
    Click on History & Genealogy.
    This site won an award for it's content. Search vital records, Tennessee newspapers, county or census records. Special features include searchable military records, a manuscript guide, TN place names and maps, historical photos and images, and many services are available through the mail.
  • McMinn County Historical Society and Archives
    http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmchsa/index.htm
    Major content includes Publications for Sale, Family Files, and Research Books.
    Additional links are provided.
  • Osiyo : McMinn County Tennessee Links
    http://www.geocities.com/mcminncountytennessee/links.html
    Many local information sites.
  • Other State Libraries Links to all State Library web sites
    http://www.loc.gov/global/library/statelib.html
    Many state libraries have large genealogical collections.
    Virtually all have on-line catalogs at these web sites. Some will have other genealogical aids.
  • Other State Archives Links to all State Archives web sites
    http://www.sos.state.ga.us/archives/rs/sarl.htm
    Many of these sites contain indexes to state records, information about how to request copies of records, and other genealogical aids.
  • National Archives
    http://www.nara.gov
    Go to The Research Room, then History and Genealogy for great overviews and research tips on a variety of subjects.
    In the Research Room follow link to search the ARC catalog. ARC can be searched for surnames, but main use is for subjects.
    When searching ARC, always view the Series record for details.
  • My Tennessee Genealogy New!
    http://www.mytennesseegenealogy.com/index.htm
    Search via county for many resources.

People Searching and Maps

  • AnyWho
    http://www.anywho.com
  • Switchboard
    http://www.switchboard.com
    Search for individuals, or to find everyone of a surname in a place.
    Must know the state, or search each one individually.
    Sites are very similar but different data is retrieved from each.
  • Yahoo Maps
    http://maps.yahoo.com
  • MapQuest
    http://www.mapquest.com
    Both sites will provide maps of cities, streets, addresses.
    Use with old city directories to identify ancestor’s home or business location.
    Zoom in-and-out feature can be difficult to get used to.
    Can provide driving directions, but remember it is a computer and has never actually driven anywhere!
  • United States Geological Survey – Geographic Names Information System
    http://geonames.usgs.gov/gnishome.html
    Detailed maps of the entire United States.
    Includes geographical features such as creeks, mountains, etc.
    Includes all incorporated and unincorporated towns.
    Includes many named man-made features such as schools, cemeteries.
    Powerful search engine can search by all of these features; links to map.

The resources listed above were reviewed and selected by
Chuck Sherrill, Director
Brentwood Library,
Brentwood, TN,
for his workshop entitled, "Genealogy for 2003 and Beyond: A Solinet Workshop".

Societies

Miscellaneous Sources

 

 Library Hours
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 9:30am to 5:30pm - Wed. and Fri.
 10:00am to 5:00pm - Sat.
 Closed - Sundays & the 1st Wed. of each month.
E.G. Fisher Public Library
1289 Ingleside Avenue
Athens, TN 37303
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