A Treasure Trove Of Information

 I recently found a "Treasure Trove" of information that is available for those researching their ancestors in Australia. This website is user friendly with a search box on the home page. This site allows you to research in digitized newspaper, journals, diaries, and photographs to name a few. Please note the site also provides links to other sites that may have information regarding your query; some of them require payment and others are free to use. From the home page you can select the collection you would like to research within to narrow your search. Thus far, I have noted researching the newspaper collection is free. If you would like to research your Australian ancestors in the newspaper collection, click Trove digitized newspapers. If you prefer to perform a general search click Trove National Libary of Australia Home.

Wyoming Newspaper Project

I have always found researching in newspapers very enlightening and rewarding.  Not only can you find information about your ancestors, you can also see the information in the context of your ancestors' lives. I have long been using the Utah Digital Newspapers and found many interesting tidbits regarding my parents lives.  I would encourage you to research in the newspapers archives for little gems regarding your family.  Each of the newspaper sites search differently and require a little time to figure it out. I was researching in the Wyoming Newspaper Project and found it difficult to understand. However, once I figured it out, it was quite simple  I searched by simply putting in the last name of a relative into the search box and left the down arrow box at Keyword.

The search results are displayed as noted above. You can click on the document and you will be able to view the document; however, if you want to search for a particular name in the document you will need to click on the magnifying glass on the top right of the screen to view the document in a new window. Once this is completed you will be able to hit Ctrl-F or the Apple key-F to bring up the search window function and you will able to enter your search term, which will then be highlighted in the document you are viewing.  It took me a few tries to figure it out, but once I did, the site works beautifully.  If you have any questions. Please feel free to contact me. You can research the Wyoming Newspaper Project by clicking on this link Wyoming Newspaper Project. Have fun!

American Libraries Internet Archive

I found this wonderful resource of information a while back and wanted to share with you. The American Libraries Internet Archive is a treasure trove for genealogists as it archives images and books that would be of interest for the genealogist.  If you type "genealogy" into the search engine, you will be amazed at the number of items that will be returned. I did a search for my last name and came up with over 30 hits ranging from census records to family genealogy research books.  I would suggest taking the time to research this archive as soon as possible because if the SOPA/PIPA (Stop Online Piracy Act/Protect IP Act) passes through the US congress, which could effect the accessibility of this site. If you would like to research in this site, click Ameican Libraries Internet Archive. The books are available for reading on the Kindle, Daisy, and PDF to name a few.

What is the big deal about Footnote?

I have posted in the past regarding the great value of Footnote in your genealogical research. I had beta tested for the site before it was ever launched to the public. In the beginning it was a little awkward to navigate, but now the navigation is simple and streamlined. The site is always adding content that is important in genealogical research. There is a fee to research on this site, but it is nominal in comparison to some of the major genealogical sites on the web. This site contains census records and civil war service and pension records to name a few. A friend of mine posted on her blog that she found a great deal for Footnote. The big deal about Footnote is that it is 50% off for a years subscription. It is only $39.95 for an entire years access to the site. If you would like to check it out for your self click here.

Dutch Genealogical Reseach Leeuwarder Courant Newspaper Archives

I wanted to post about a resource for those of you researching your Dutch ancestry. I must admit that I have tried to write this several times, but have been stopped dead in my tracks because of my lack of familiarity with Dutch Genealogical Research. Having said that, I met a friend Mary Scott who has done extensive research on Dutch ancestry and has a favorite website that she visits frequently. I asked permission to quote her in this post as she explains how to sign up and log into the website. The website Leeuwarder Courant is a collection of the oldest Dutch Newspaper. The Leeuwarder Courant collection spans approximately 250+ years of publications from 1752 to present. Until the end of the year 2007, access to the site is free. You might ask what a newspaper collection can provide for genealogical researchers. The newspapers can contain, Civil Registrations, Birth, Marriage, Death and other announcements.

Here is what Mary had to say:

"This morning an individual on the Dutch-Midwest email list at rootsweb.com informed the list that the oldest Dutch newspaper has opened its digital archives. Researchers can search the newspapers for free until the end of the year.

Leeuwarder Courant" is from the city of Leeuwarden in Friesland (Frisia). It was first published in 1752 and the archives stretch into the contemporary times. The "Leeuwarder Courant" is one of the oldest newspapers in the Netherlands and might even be the oldest one."

"Sparing you all the details, by searching the "Leeuwarder Courant", I was able to solve several of my Dutch research questions. I think I've been researching some items for over 15 years and the answers were in the "Leeuwarder Courant". (Now I can order the actual records on microfilm!)

Of course I plan to research further in the "Leeuwarder Courant" during November and December because it was so profitable.

If you have Dutch ancestry, this website might interest you.

If not, read no farther as I am just giving steps to help those who might need assistance with the Dutch terminology.

To use the website properly, it is necessary to register. A password is then sent to your email. This password can be changed.

Although I don't know much Dutch, I was able to figure out the registration process from the few words I do know.

1. www.archiefleeuwardercourant.nl -- website main page
2. Click on the yellow box with the word "Zoek" in it. New window opens.
3. Click on the word "Vrij" under the word "Zoek".
4. Click on Registreren to register. New window opens with three fields to fill in.
5. Voornaam -- given name; Naam -- surname; Email address
6. Click on blue box with word "Registreer".

A password from the website is sent to your email address.

If you want to change the password to a word of your choice, click on the box called "Wachtwoord".

1. Enter the email address from your registration.
2. Enter the password mailed to your email account into the "Oud Wachtwoord".
3. Enter your choice for a new password in "Nieuw Wachtwoord".
4. Enter the new password a second time in field for "Nieuw wachtwoord (controle)".
5. Click on "Wachtwoord Veranderen" box.
6. Notification will be sent that your password is changed plus what it is.

To log into the website, click on "Login" box from home page.
1. Put in email address.
2. Put in password in "Wachtwoord" field.
3. Click on Login.

To search, login and then click on "Zoek" and then "Vrij".
1. New window opens with title "Zoeken".
2. Zoekterm -- put in surname or other search terms.
3. Periode -- choose "gehele archief" for all four centuries; narrow choices by choosing either 21ste eeuw (21st century); 20ste eeuw (20th century); 19de eeuw (19th century) and 18de eeuw (18th century)."

Mary advised me that the articles can be printed by doing a right click on the mouse and choosing "print picture". This is the easiest way to print as there is no print button located on the page.

I want to thank Mary for her generosity and willingness to share these wonderful instructions on utilizing the website. If you would like to research the papers, you can click Leewarder Courant Archives.

Missing Irish Ancestors? Have you tried the Want Ads?

Missing Irish Ancestors? Have you tried the Want Ads? Your ancestors may have tried to located their missing family members by the use of want ads in the local newspapers. The Boston Pilot Newspaper printed a "Missing Person" column for family members that had lost contact with their lost friends and relatives that had immigrated from Ireland to the United States. The Boston Pilot ran column ran the column 90 years from October 1831 to October 1921. This project is sponsored by Boston College’s Irish Studies Program and produced by the Office of Marketing Communications. The ad collection of over 37,000 ads is a searchable database that provides valuable information for the missing person. The ads were extremely successful resulting in the distribution of the paper throughout the United States and overseas in Ireland and Australia.

The column frequently includes the origination county and parish in Ireland, their occupation, the possible destination port, the person that placed the ad and up to 50 different items of interest, including work history and ships name to name just a few. This database is one that you will want to check out if you have Irish ancestry. Click here to go to this website.