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 • Tips for Searching the Social Security Death Index • Using Social Security Records • Photographic Images & Collections Online • Preservation Tips & Techniques • Free Genealogy Charts & Forms  Elsewhere on the Web • National Genealogical Society • Heritage Quest

Key Reference Tools Online

National Portrait Gallery
The Catalog of American Portraits is an excellent reference tool. It's always a surprise to find that there is an extant painting or other artistic rendering of a relative. An excellent tool searchable by artist or by sitter.

Social Security Death Index
The Social Security Death File Index is a basic source for assisting genealogists. Searches can be limited by city, county or state and even modified by birth year, month or day. Useful for beginning or advances researchers.

Other Sites:

Genealogical Death Indexing System, Michigan

Historical Records of Dukes County, Mass

Illinois State Archives
 

Forms:

Census, Blank Forms
Family Tree Maker provides blank census forms, which can be downloaded as needed. Handy for showing genealogists what they can expect to find in census records from 1790 to 1920.

 

Preservation Tips

Library of Congress
Local history and genealogy librarians are often asked for information on preserving family papers and records. The Frequently Asked Questions on Preservation of Books and Materials page at the Library of Congress has the answers.

Conservation Online, Resources for Conservation Professionals
This site at Stanford University, contains everything you need to know about conservation issues from mold to emergency planning. It is an essential and easy to use site.