Roots on the Web - Online Genealogy Research

More of this Feature • Discussion Groups & Listservs • Key Reference Tools • International Sites • Using Online Catalogs    Special Chat! Thomas Jay Kemp will be a special guest in our chat room on Wednesday, February 6 from 9pm-11pm Eastern Standard Time to discuss genealogy research online. Learn More About the Chat!     Related Resources • Genealogy Mailing Lists & Newsletters • Genealogy Research Libraries  Elsewhere on the Web • National Genealogical Society • Heritage Quest

Online Sources

Discussion Groups and Listservs

Archives
This listserv popular with archivists and librarians is heavily used to keep colleagues informed about archival issues, news and collections. If it is too much traffic for you, you can always read the messages online.

Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter
This weekly e-newsletter is essential reading by all genealogists. Current information, trends, and reviews of reference materials make it a valued resource.

GENEALIB
The discussion group sponsored by Librarians Serving Genealogists is an essential tool for librarians and researchers wanting quick advice from other genealogical librarians.

Family History Newsline
Sponsored by Everton Publishers is a daily (5 days per week) genealogical tip that you will find useful. Each day one online resource, conference or similar item is featured.

Local History & Genealogy Librarian
Free e-newsletter aimed at making librarians aware of the current news and events related to libraries and archives with local history and genealogy collections.

Several states have discussion groups specifically for their respective state's local history and genealogy. For example in California there is:

H-California
This discussion group concentrates on California history.

NORCAL (California) Genealogy Index
NORCAL focuses on genealogical research in California.

 

Key Genealogical Libraries

Family History Library
The largest genealogical society in the world. You can access their card catalog and key databases online. If you only go to one site, this is it. It is packed with information, indexes and practical tools. Included is the complete SourceGuide with hundreds of finding aids and research papers.

Allen County Library
One of the largest genealogical collections in the country. Genealogists from around the country regularly go on organized trips to the Allen County Library.

Library of Congress, Genealogy Department
The Library of Congress Web site includes key finding aids as well as database indexes for genealogists.

National Archives and Records Administration, Genealogy Page
This outstanding site is packed with genealogical tips, guides, and practical information for obtaining Federal records (census, military, passenger lists etc.) as well as indexes like the Index to all Veterans Who Died in the Korean War, which is searchable by name or by state.

New York Public Library, Genealogical Research
You can learn about the important genealogical resources of the NYPL at this site. Be sure to also see their online guide to biographical sources and obituaries.

Newberry Library
One of the prominent genealogical collections in the country, this Web site includes useful guides on ethnic groups, state and local history not easily found elsewhere.