Genealogy Basics
Note
This pathfinder will be useful for beginners who would like to start a family history search using the Internet. On a cautionary note, remember that the Internet is merely a vehicle to help you begin the process. It is not the only resource you should use, but is a wonderful road map to help you start your ancestry search. Some resources are free, others require subscriptions.
Key Resources
- Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet BeginnersThe main directory of genealogy sites.
For an introduction to the topic, see:
- First Steps in Genealogy: a Beginner’s Guide to Researching Your Family History, by Desmond Walls Allen (1998) ISBN 1558704892
- Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace (2nd ed.) by Elizabeth Shown Mills (2009) ISBN 0806318066
Books
Ancestors by ISBN: 0395854105Publication Date: 1997-03-03
Discover Your Family History Online by ISBN: 1440318506Publication Date: 2012-04-02
The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy by ISBN: 1440511683Publication Date: 2011-01-18
The Family Tree Problem Solver by ISBN: 1440311935Publication Date: 2011-04-19
Genealogist's Companion and Sourcebook by ISBN: 1558706518Publication Date: 2003-08-26
Mastering Genealogical Proof by Publication Date: 2013ISBN 1935815075
Unpuzzling Your Past the Best-Selling Basic Guide to Genealogy Fourth Edition Expanded, Updated and Revised by ISBN: 0806318546Publication Date: 2010-04-01NOTE: Aimed at kids, but helpful.
Who Do You Think You Are? by ISBN: 0143118919Publication Date: 2010-12-28
Websites
- CDC Where To Write for Vital RecordsThe CDC maintains the information about where to find birth, marriage, and divorce (aka Vital Records) in each state.
Genealogy is easier with connections. Search “genealogy” on whatever social media platforms you use from Facebook to YouTube. The results and connections made can be very helpful.
- United States Vital Records InformationWhere to find vital records for the time period and state you are working in.
- US Gen Web ProjectOne of the largest volunteer run genealogy sites, it's free but varies widely depending on the work put into it by state and local volunteers.
- IAGen Web ProjectIowa's branch of USGenWeb.
- Ellis Island RecordsSearchable records of those who passed through Ellis Island.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family SearchSearchable genealogical information of all kinds both full text and as an index to their paper holdings.
- Ancestory.comThe largest paid genealogy database.
- RootswebA free website run partially by volunteers and under Ancestry.com sponsorship.
- Fold 3A paid subscription of military records under the sponsorship of Ancestry.com.
- The Ultimate Guide to Military Records for GenealogyA page from Genealogy Explained that will get you started on military research.
- On The Trail of Our AncestorsA smaller directory site and easier to handle for beginners, look especially at the page linked to Genealogy for Beginners.
- Genealogy ToolboxA collection of links to other websites that might provide useful tools for your research. I'd ignore the citation makers, so be advised some of these may be more useful than others.
- Genealogy GlossaryFrom Family Tree Magazine a short list of definitions of genealogy terms.
- 27 Golden Rules of GenealogyA list of good practical dos and don'ts from the trenches.
Journals
- Family Chronicle
- Family Tree Magazine
Organizations and Special Collections
- Iowa Genealogical Society
628 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
515-276-0287
www.iowagenealogy.org
e-mail address: igs@iowagenealogy.org
(Check with your state’s Genealogical Society & both state and local historical societies where your family lived, plus any ethnic heritage national museums – for example the National Czech and Slovak Museum or the Vesterheim - that apply)
- Godfrey Memorial Library
134 Newfield St.
Middletown, CT 06457
Tel: (860) 346-4375
Fax: (860) 347-9874
www.godfrey.org
e-mail address: Sharon@godfrey.org (Reference Librarian)
Free Forms For Download
- Ancestory.com FormsForms range from a basic ancestral chart to blank census forms for note taking.
- About.com FormsThis is a directory of forms available for free from other sites.
Family Relationships
- Family Relationship ExplantaionAn explanation (with examples) of the official names for family relationships.
- Family Relationship ChartA chart that allows you to calculate official names for family relationships.
- Family Relationship VideoA blog post that directs you to a 4 minute video that explains how to calculate family relationships.
Citation and Legal Links
- Genealogical Proof StandardThe standards adopted by the field for correctly citing and researching genealogical information.
- Legal GenealogistA blog that addresses legal issues and questions having to do with genealogy.
Search Aids
Search Terms (Use for computer searches)
- Genealogy
- Internet Genealogy
Subject Headings (Use in card catalogs and print indexes)
- Genealogy-Data Processing
- Genealogy-Computer Network Resources
- Genealogy
Call Number
- 929.1; 929.4 (Dewey Decimal)
- 025.02-025.06929 (Library of Congress)
Indexes and Abstracts
- EBSCOhost
- First Search
- Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature
Library catalogs
- Your local library catalog
- SILO - State-wide catalog
- World Cat - World-wide Catalog
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