databases
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Pittsburgh-Steel City and More
Oct 4
In the western portion of Pennsylvania is the city of Pittsburgh with a long history. When some of the earliest pioneers settled in that area in the mid-1700s, it was truly the frontier of America. If you have any ancestor who once lived and worked in Pittsburgh, you will want to investigate the online site on 'Historic Pittsburgh' which draws fr...
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Have You Checked Your IGI Lately?
Sep 28
It is always important to revisit certain databases as you progress in your family research. For several reasons, first of all, you are more experienced and possibly better at looking for the right key names or places. Second, most databases are continually being added to over the years. So if you have not searched on a certain family branch or in...
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Mexico’s 1930 Census
Sep 20
With all the attention about the 1940 U. S. Census returns that are now available, another census that many people will be interesting in checking is that of the nation of Mexico for 1930. The United States and Mexico are neighbors and many individuals will have ancestors who came from Mexico after 1930 or relatives from Canada or U. S. living in...
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Missed Someone in the US 1940 Census?
Sep 17
If you have a large database of ancestors, you can easily overlook a relative who might appear in the 1940 census. Since there is so much information on this newest census, you will want to check for every person. I found a second cousin I did not have on a list. It turns out he was a young man of 18 years old living with an aunt and uncle lear...
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Dutch ‘Family Cards’ Databases
Sep 2
If you have found there were some Dutch ancestors you will want to investigate the following site, especially those with the 'Family Cards' now digitalized and online. This was a system used by the government of The Netherlands as a form of a census. Beginning in 1880 they had each household complete information about those individuals living a cer...
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End of the Month Routine
Aug 31
This was a long month, just like July was with only one major holiday. So with the end of the month, if you have not done so already, this would be an excellent time to make sure you have done a complete computer backup of your family history research. If you use a software program such as FamilyTree Maker, make a backup of the entire family bran...
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Ontario, Canada Digital Newspapers
Aug 23
No matter which region a newspaper covers, big cities or small towns, that newspaper and its articles can really provide a family researcher with the most actual view of people, events, places, occasions, etc. that are possible. Nothing better than really being there at your great grandmother’s wedding in 1893 can outshine what is found in news a...
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Ye Olde Virginia 1600s to 1960s
Aug 21
You don’t need to have ancestors from Virginia to check out the many collections available at ‘Virginia Memory’ which is online and sponsored by the Library of Virginia and the state archives. Their vast array of material included photos, maps, books, manuscripts, printed materials, newspapers and vital records. The assemblages are intermix...
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WorldGenWeb Project
Aug 11
If you have not reviewed this online site, WorldGenWeb Project, you need to check it out. Being world - it does have genealogical sources from all the continents. Their archives come from public domain records and placed for free use on the Internet. You begin by clicking on the continent you are interested in examining. There will be a list of nat...
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Investigating Land Records
Aug 3
Settling on one’s own property, homesteading as it is also known is the American dream. However, do you know what pieces of property your ancestors applied for and eventually acquired? Countless people have applied for and received millions of acres of land over the decades, dating back to the 1820s. The United States General Land Office h...