Library Research & At the Library

www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp Steps 4 & 5

What preparations should you make before leaving your home, and what should you look for once

you arrive at the library.

1. You could make a list of all research centers and libraries near you

1. Public libraries2. Family history library3. Local historical societies 4. Genealogical societies5. College libraries

2. Decide which one you want to visit, check for the days they are open and the times

– Is there an orientation tour? • Do you have to schedule it ahead of time? • You could meet a good contact person?

– Are there special requirements? • Picture ID – may require you be a member or resident

– Do you need to sign up in advance for• Microfilm readers, fiche readers or computers

– What kind of parking is available and is there a cost– Are there restaurants nearby? You should take a

break and clear your mind.– Are laptops allowed in the library? What is their

policy.

– Remember the better you explain your research to the librarian the better they can direct you.

– Remember good organization of your material helps you to know where you are going and where you want to go from there.

– Having your material with you for your research will help you to evaluate your research session

– Most importantly, write down your research objectives!

• What do you want to find? Remember the Who, What, Where, When and Why questions.

3. Organize your tools and what you need to take with you.

• Pencils – libraries do not like ink, maybe even a sharpener• Reading glasses – can make a difficult item to read easier• Magnifying glass• Yellow cellophane – this is can help take the glare of the film

readers and make it easier to read• Blank research forms – logs, family group, census, etc.• Tissues – some books become very dusty• Change – to make your copies. The FHL now has CD

machines that you can save your documents to, instead of photo copying.

• Stapler• Ruler• Any other supplies that you feel you need to use

Some Librarians could get annoyed with you, if you do not go to the library prepared with necessary tools, Be Prepared!!

At the Library

• Remember that most of the librarians are volunteers

• They are there to assist you and not do your research for you

• Make sure you have your material organized and easily understandable

• Make sure you take your Pedigree chart• Take advantage of a Library orientation

tour, if one is provided

• Learn what materials are available and where they are located

• Learn how to use the special equipment such as copy machines, readers, and copiers

• Learn about any special holdings• Always allow plenty of time for your

research. There is nothing more frustrating than having to leave just as you find something your were looking for

• Take breaks during your research sessions

Become familiar with

• Local histories

• Reference and Self-help materials

• Genealogy magazines

• Published family histories

• General Indexes

• Newspapers

• Maps and gazetteers

You could Begin by Searching

1. Published family histories

2. Local histories

3. Utilize the collections of local newspapers

Remember!!!!

1. Always document all information you find!!

Using correct bibliography techniques

2. Don’t get sidetracked, follow your research plan

3. Be patient and persevere

4. Have realistic expectations

5. Above all have fun, that is what Genealogy is all about

Kinds of Libraries

• Local Public Libraries• Local Historical Society Libraries• Local Genealogical Society Libraries• County Public Libraries• County Historical Society Libraries• State Libraries• State Historical Societies• Regional Research Libraries• Ethnic Genealogical Society Libraries• National Libraries• General Reference Sections of any Library

Local Public Libraries

• Maps

• Records containing to the local area

• Histories of the area

• Whitmore and Sandy libraries have quite a collection

• Harold B. Lee library at BYU has a great map section among other great items

Local Historical Society Libraries

• Excellent information relating to the community

• Pictures

• Artifacts

• Maps

• Clothing

Local Genealogical Society Libraries

If you ancestor lived in one area for a long period of time, these libraries can have:

• Early settler information and histories

• Only copies of information done by local historians

County Public Libraries

• Can have information relating to their town boundaries

• Most information can be contained under one roof

• Good example is the Allen County Public Library. It has evolved from a county library to a world class genealogical research center

County Historical Society Libraries

• Similar to Local libraries, except they can contain:– Information on the entire county– Have displays or dioramas that make the

history come alive

State Historical Libraries

These can contain information for both the historians and genealogists.

Usually located at the local historic building

Regional Research Libraries

• There are several of these– New England Historic Genealogical Society– Godfrey library

This is a great place to visit or join if you have New England ancestors

Ethnic Genealogical Society Libraries

• Virtually every ethnic group in the United States have and maintain a research facility– American-Canadian Genealogical Society –

Manchester, New Hampshire. Has information on Franco-American, Acadian and French-Canadians

National Libraries

• These are very large libraries and hold a lot of information– National Archives in Washington DC

• Large collection of genealogical information, Federal records, census, military and public land records

– Family History Library – Salt Lake City• World’s largest collection of primary and secondary sources

Not all libraries use the same numbering system. You have to learn each library

General Resources

• At the general resource sections of the libraries you will find:– How to books that can point you in the right

directions for your research– “A beginner’s guide to Family Research”– “Directory of Family Associations”– Ancestry’s Redbook – State, town & county

resources– The Source: A Guidebook of American

Genealogy

Using the how to books can help to direct you in the paths you should go in your research.

Other sources to consult are:Historical maps

Published family histories – you could find a book dedicated to your family – these are at the family history library and are being digitized.

Society News Letters & PublicationsAncestry Magazine, Family Tree Magazine

Various library news letters

Some publications have places to submit queries for your research

• Federal Materials – Indexes to various census– Some libraries (larger ones) have the actual census

films

• Computers– Collection of CD’s for research (Ancestry.com)– Connected to the internet– At libraries the computer use time could be limited

Above all remember to keep your research log up to date! And it is ok to let out a little yelp when

you find something on one of those missing ancestors.

Other Resources Available

• Military– Lists of various wars– Pensioners lists– Regimental histories – Journals and indexes for patriotic societies –

DAR

Library Web Sites

• www.cyndislist.com in the search box type “libraries” and then look for libraries and historical societies in your area of research

• www.NewEnglandAncestors.org If you have family from the New England states, this is a great resource – pay site

• In your favorite search engine type “your state, and libraries” or type “genealogy libraries” search your links

• http://www.archives.gov/research_room/alic/reference_desk/library_links.html National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Also check out the main site at

http://www.archives.gov/research_room/genealogy/index.html

• www.oaklandfhc.org Oakland California FHC

• http://www.genhomepage.com/libraries.html Library list at Genealogy.com’s home page

• http://www.daddezio.com/society/hill/ A Directory of Historical Societies in the United States, Canada and Australia.

• http://web.syr.edu/~jryan/infopro/hs.html U.S. State Historical Societies & State Archives Directory

• www.godfrey.org $35.00 a year membership. Newspapers, census, Persi, and many books online.

• http://history.utah.gov/utah_history_research_center/index.html Utah History Information Center. They have a catalog online to search, and many old photos

• http://www.lib.utah.edu/circ/index.html Marriott Library at the University of Utah

Newspaper Web Sites• http://www.paperofrecord.com/ pay site• www.ancestry.com pay site (membership)• http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/newspapr/np_home.asp Alberta

Newspaper collection Free access• http://news.halinet.on.ca/ Southern Ontario newspaper and indexes

Free access• http://www.proquest.com/ New York Times and Wall Street Journal

– pay site or get at the libraries and universities• http://thestar.pagesofthepast.ca/ Toronto Star – pay site• http://www.theoldentimes.com/ 18th,19th and 20th century

newspapers• http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/news/ncp.html Library of Congress

Newspaper Reading Room• http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/ Newspaper Abstracts• www.cyndislist.com Type newspapers or “newspaper archives” in

the search box• http://www.usgenweb.com

Finding Ancestors in the Library

• http://catalog.loc.gov• http://www.nypl.org • http://www.harvard.edu/libraries• http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/amicus/index-e.html• www.bl.uk• www.natlib.govt.nz• www.nla.gov.au• http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Libweb• www.abebooks.com• www.bookfinder.com• www.godfrey.org they have books with family information• Do a google.com search for books of your family