Ancestor Search How-To Ideas

Genealogy Finding Aids, Search Tips, Guides and Help, and Record Resources

Genealogy Database Search Engine Help

• Surname Finder
  Enter your surname once, search multiple world-wide genealogy search engines. A surname specific search engine that searches genealogy databases and finds surnames even if a common word.
  
  
• Social Security Death Index - SSDI
  Ways to find your ancestors in the US SSDI - even if you couldn't find them before - and what to do with the info when you do find them!
  • Info you will find on the SSDI
  • Info you will NOT find on the SSDI
  • Comparison of the 5 online SSDI search engines
  • Unique search tips to locate hard to find ancestors in the SSDI
  
  
• RootsWeb Meta Search
  Search the many free RootsWeb search engines with a single click.
  • World Connect project
  • Obituary Daily Times
  • RootsWeb Surname List
  • Social Security Death Index
  • Gen Connect
  
  
• New Family Search
  Mormon Genealogy - The largest repository of original digitized records in the world. Understanding the databases at the new LDS genealogy family site.
  • Search by Location
  • Search by Family Tree
  
  
• Old Family Search
  The largest repository of genealogy in the world. Understanding the databases at the old (and still available) LDS (Mormon) genealogy family site.
  • Ancestral File
  • International Genealogical Index (IGI)
  • Pedigree Resource File (PRF)
  
  
• U. S. Census
  The census can provide info about family members and relationships, locations, birth years, immigration, and military service.
  
  
  • U. S. Census Guide
    Guide, Clues & Research Tips for the U. S. Federal Census 1790-1930.
    • On-line and off-line census
    • Census finding aids and indexes
    • Census questions
    • What can be learned from the census
    • Census dates
    • NARA Census microfilm numbers
    
    
  • Census Database Chart
    Compares the on-line census by Ancestry.com, Genealogy.com, Heritage Quest, and the LDS for the years 1790 through 1930 so one can see at a glance which company has an index and census for each year. Also, lists whether the index is every name or head of household. http://www.searchforancestors.com/records/census.html
    
  • Census Abbreviations
    Guide to abbreviations found on US census
    
    
  • Census Microfilm Numbers
    Guide to NARA microfilm numbers for census index.
    • 1920
    • 1910
    • 1900
    • 1890 fragments
    • 1880
  
  
• Family Trees
  Learn the difference between the various family tree databases online.
  
  
• The Ellis Island Website
  Haven't been able to find your ancestor on the Ellis Island website? These ideas may help!
  
  
• Soundex Searches
  The benefit of genealogy search engines that have soundex (phonetic) options. It is easier to find your ancestors on the soundex census index and soundex search engines if you understand the soundex code and its limitations

Google Search Help

• Easy Google Genealogy Searcher
  Can't remember all the Google tricks you've heard? Want to learn some things you probably had no idea Google could do? Google Searcher puts advanced Google features on one page with suggested keywords and advice about how each feature is useful for genealogists. Learn the many possibilities Google offers for genealogy searches and become a Google expert.
  
  
• Google
  If you haven't tried searching for your ancestors using Google, you will be amazed at all Google can do. Learn all the Google tricks.
  
  
• Step by Step Google
  Follow these step-by-step Google interactives searches to learn all the Google tricks.

Record your Heritage

• Heritage Scrapbooking
  Learn ways to make a heritage scrapbook with or without photographs of your ancestors.
  
  
• Family Interview Questions
  Learn about the life of a family member.
  
  
• Family Military Interview Questions
  Learn about the military experience of a family member.

Records Repositories Help

• Irish Records Resources
  Resources to help find your Irish Ancestor.
  
  
• UK Records Resources
  Resources to help find your UK, English, Welsh, Scottish or Northern Ireland Ancestor.
  
  
• U.S. State Archives
  Archives often contain documents relating to the history of the state including military records and pension files, county and local histories, diaries, letters, manuscripts, directories, tax rolls, deeds, land grants, voter registration rolls, photographs and other unusual materials. Sometimes, the state archives will hold birth, marriage, death and probate records.

Relationship Help

• Cousin Calculator
  Calculate the relationship between two blood relatives. Relationship and Family Terms and Definitions. Find out the meaning of such terms as a first cousin twice removed.
  

Resource Help

• Ancestry Freebies
  Totally and always free databases at Ancestry.com
  
  
• Genealogy Freebies
  Free genealogy resources: charts, lessons, software, databases, lookups, relationship charts, form letters, translation services, clip art, contests. All free!
  
  
• Genealogy Free Trials
  Free trials to Ancestry and Genealogy.com databases. Census, immigration, UK & Ireland, Newspaper Collection, Genealogy Library, Family and Local Histories, much more. Why pay when you can view for free?
  

Search Engine Help

• How a Web Page Can Help
  Looking for missing pieces in your family puzzle? Use a web page to "post" your missing pieces.
  
  
• Turn Genealogy into Family History
  Fleshing out the details of your ancestor's lives.
  
  
  
• Find others searching your family tree
  How to find your cousins who are doing family history research by using genealogy research registry search engines.
  
  
• Unwanted Pop-ups
  How to rid yourself of unwanted pop-up ads and make your computer run faster at the same time - all for free.

Date and Calendar Help

• Age Calculator
  Calculate the difference between any two dates.
  
  
• Birthday Calculator
  Calculate a birthday from the date on a tombstone or death certificate.
  
  
• Easter Sunday Finder
  Enter the year to find the date on which Easter Sunday falls.
  
  
• Julian to Gregorian Calendar Conversion Dates
  Explanation of the changeover from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar with a list of countries and changeover date. Explanation of Old Style Dates and Double Dating.
  
  
• Day of Week Calculator
  Determine the day of the week for a date in any year.
  
  
• Roman Numeral Calculator
  Convert a Year written in Roman Numerals to a Number Year. Roman Numeral Years are common on tombstones from the eighteenth century.

Find Living People

• Person Finder
  A Step by Step Guide finding long lost people.
  
  
• People Finder
  A Premium Resource for finding lost family, birth parents, missing friends, military buddies, and loved ones.
  
  
• Reverse Directory
  Enter name, address OR phone number. Find people on same block, or enter an address or phone # to get a name!
  
  
• Build a WebPage
  Looking for missing pieces in your family puzzle? One way to have your distant cousins find you and facilitate your own research is by building a genealogy web page.

Software Help

• Genealogy programs
  Popular Genealogy Database Programs
  
  
• Record your Genealogy
  Free genealogy software, forms, charts and templates.
  

Surname Help

• Directory of Surname Origins and Last Name Meanings
  Search for the family origin and history of your surname
  
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• Learn Genealogy
  Learn how to research your family ancestry and find your ancestors.
  
  
  
• Share your Genealogy
  Find out who else is researching the same family names. Facilitate your own research by registering your surnames.
  
  

U. S. Military Help