Ancestry.com has recently expanded its list of free databases. These always-free databases are available without a subscription or free trial. A few days ago, there were slightly over 400 free databases listed in the Ancestry card catalog, and today there are now almost 3000 which include many international titles. The additional databases that Ancestry has opened may only be available for a very short time.
UPDATE 11/1: The additional free databases have already been closed, but the rest of this article still applies for finding the 400 or so always-free databases.
To find the Ancestry free databases, go to Ancestry’s card catalog (which can be found as a drop-down choice on the "Search" bar), and enter the word free into the keyword box located in the left hand column.
As you scroll down the page, you can filter the free databases by collection, by date, by location, and by language in the left column. I found that once I filtered by location, I got a list of all free and fee-based Ancestry databases, and had to enter the keyword free again.
On the green bar, there is also a sort available. By sorting the list of free ancestry databases by date added or date updated, you can make sure are haven't missed any of the newly added or newly opened free databases when you next return to the card catalog.
Sometimes only the index is free and not the image, but info from the image has been transcribed and is available to view for free. Sometimes, both the image and index are available for free.
You will be asked to register at Ancestry.com to view the free databases, but the account is free. Here is a list of some of the more popular free Ancestry databases.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
SALT LAKE CHRISTMAS TOUR
The following press release was sent to me by Leland Meitzler. I've never attended this particular tour, but I've talked to someone who has, and not only is it a great way to research, but a good time was had by all. I have been in Salt Lake City in December and it is beautiful.
THOMAS MACENTEE JOINS 2010 SALT LAKE CHRISTMAS TOUR
Featured Speaker To Offer Technology Education for Genealogists
October 13, 2010 – Bountiful, Utah: The 2010 Salt Lake Christmas Tour – an annual genealogy event in its 26th year and celebrating its 25th anniversary – is pleased to announce that noted genealogist and technology educator Thomas MacEntee will be joining in the holiday fun as its featured speaker. The Tour takes place beginning Sunday, December 5, 2010 and runs through Saturday, December 11, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Over a five-day period, MacEntee will offer eight different presentations covering various aspects of genealogy and how technology and social media can be used to expand the genealogy experience. Topics include “Building a Research Toolbox,” “Facebook for Genealogists,” “Build a Genealogy Blog,” and “Twitter: It Isn’t Just ‘What I Had For Breakfast’ Anymore.”
The Salt Lake Christmas Tour ( www.SaltLakeChristmasTour.com ) is an annual event attracting genealogists and family historians and is renowned for the genealogy research success of its attendees, many of whom come back year after year. The Tour provides the highest ratio of professional researchers to attendees of any genealogy research tour utilizing the Family History Library located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Throughout 2010, Thomas MacEntee has been covering the United States and Canada presenting technology education to genealogists and family historians in an easy-to-learn format. All presentations demonstrate applications such as Facebook and Twitter in real time and include cheat sheets and other handy reference materials.
Leland Meitzler, of Family Roots Publishing Company and owner/organizer of the Salt Lake Christmas Tour, says “we think that this year’s Tour not only offers an excellent research opportunity at the Family History Library but also provides a way to increase your technology knowledge especially as it pertains to genealogy. Thomas has a way of making technology approachable no matter what your computer skills.”
Register before October 31, 2010 to take advantage of special savings and to reserve your space on the Salt Lake Christmas Tour. Not only will you be amazed at the progress you can make in your genealogy research, but you’ll do so in good company and be able to witness the sights and sounds of Christmas in Salt Lake City.
About Thomas MacEntee
As a genealogist specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research and to interact with others in the family history community, Thomas MacEntee relies upon his 25 years of experience in the information technology field. And as the creator of GeneaBloggers.com, he has organized and engaged a community of over 1,300 bloggers to document their own journeys in the search for ancestors.
Thomas shares his knowledge of technology and experience as a genealogist with others through various forms of social media and speaking engagements. Through his business High-Definition Genealogy, he provides consulting services in the genealogy industry covering such areas as market research, education, technology and more.
Thomas MacEntee is available nationwide for presentations and classes focusing on social media and technology as a way to assist genealogists and genealogical societies.
About the Salt Lake Christmas Tour
The Salt Lake Christmas Tour specializes in professionally assisted genealogy research at the world-famous Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Now in its 26th year and celebrating its 25th anniversary, the tour is renowned for the high success-rate of its attendees, due in part to the outstanding professional to attendee ratio. Hosted by Leland K. Meitzler, Patty Meitzler, Donna Potter Phillips, and Bill Balter, the 2010 tour promises to be one of the best ever! For more information and registration, see: www.SaltLakeChristmasTour.com.
Contact: Leland K. Meitzler
Salt Lake Christmas Tour
PO Box 830
Bountiful, Utah 84011
+1 (801) 992-3705
THOMAS MACENTEE JOINS 2010 SALT LAKE CHRISTMAS TOUR
Featured Speaker To Offer Technology Education for Genealogists
October 13, 2010 – Bountiful, Utah: The 2010 Salt Lake Christmas Tour – an annual genealogy event in its 26th year and celebrating its 25th anniversary – is pleased to announce that noted genealogist and technology educator Thomas MacEntee will be joining in the holiday fun as its featured speaker. The Tour takes place beginning Sunday, December 5, 2010 and runs through Saturday, December 11, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Over a five-day period, MacEntee will offer eight different presentations covering various aspects of genealogy and how technology and social media can be used to expand the genealogy experience. Topics include “Building a Research Toolbox,” “Facebook for Genealogists,” “Build a Genealogy Blog,” and “Twitter: It Isn’t Just ‘What I Had For Breakfast’ Anymore.”
The Salt Lake Christmas Tour ( www.SaltLakeChristmasTour.com ) is an annual event attracting genealogists and family historians and is renowned for the genealogy research success of its attendees, many of whom come back year after year. The Tour provides the highest ratio of professional researchers to attendees of any genealogy research tour utilizing the Family History Library located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Throughout 2010, Thomas MacEntee has been covering the United States and Canada presenting technology education to genealogists and family historians in an easy-to-learn format. All presentations demonstrate applications such as Facebook and Twitter in real time and include cheat sheets and other handy reference materials.
Leland Meitzler, of Family Roots Publishing Company and owner/organizer of the Salt Lake Christmas Tour, says “we think that this year’s Tour not only offers an excellent research opportunity at the Family History Library but also provides a way to increase your technology knowledge especially as it pertains to genealogy. Thomas has a way of making technology approachable no matter what your computer skills.”
Register before October 31, 2010 to take advantage of special savings and to reserve your space on the Salt Lake Christmas Tour. Not only will you be amazed at the progress you can make in your genealogy research, but you’ll do so in good company and be able to witness the sights and sounds of Christmas in Salt Lake City.
About Thomas MacEntee
As a genealogist specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research and to interact with others in the family history community, Thomas MacEntee relies upon his 25 years of experience in the information technology field. And as the creator of GeneaBloggers.com, he has organized and engaged a community of over 1,300 bloggers to document their own journeys in the search for ancestors.
Thomas shares his knowledge of technology and experience as a genealogist with others through various forms of social media and speaking engagements. Through his business High-Definition Genealogy, he provides consulting services in the genealogy industry covering such areas as market research, education, technology and more.
Thomas MacEntee is available nationwide for presentations and classes focusing on social media and technology as a way to assist genealogists and genealogical societies.
About the Salt Lake Christmas Tour
The Salt Lake Christmas Tour specializes in professionally assisted genealogy research at the world-famous Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Now in its 26th year and celebrating its 25th anniversary, the tour is renowned for the high success-rate of its attendees, due in part to the outstanding professional to attendee ratio. Hosted by Leland K. Meitzler, Patty Meitzler, Donna Potter Phillips, and Bill Balter, the 2010 tour promises to be one of the best ever! For more information and registration, see: www.SaltLakeChristmasTour.com.
Contact: Leland K. Meitzler
Salt Lake Christmas Tour
PO Box 830
Bountiful, Utah 84011
+1 (801) 992-3705
Monday, October 11, 2010
Pennsylvania Genealogy Links
Here are some of my favorite state-wide free PA genealogy links.
Land and Maps
Military
You can learn a lot about an ancestor from his military pension records. Here is how to
Order pension records from NARA.
General
Search for obits, birth announcements, marriage announcements and other newsworthy events.
Land and Maps
- Land Records at the Pennsylvania State Archives
Scanned land records which are viewable online from the Pennsylvania State Archives. - Ancestor Tracks
Scroll down to the map of PA and select a county to see the free Atlases and Land warrants. - American Memory Panoramic Maps 1847-1929
Pennsylvania in the Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress.
Military
You can learn a lot about an ancestor from his military pension records. Here is how to
Order pension records from NARA.
- PA Civil War
- PA Spanish American War
- Pennsylvania State Digital Archives
- PA National Guard Veterans' Card File, 1867-1921
- Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866 These 3" x 5" cards were initially prepared to serve as an index to Samuel Penniman Bates' "History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865 .
- Mexican Border Campaign Veterans' Card File
- Spanish American War Veterans' Card File of United States Volunteers
- Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File
- Militia Officers Index Cards, 1775-1800 Indexes
General
- Pennsylvania Archives
The Pennsylvania Archives were originally published as a 10 series of historical records in 135 volumes, covering the initial colonial settlement through the Civil War. The series contains military, tax, marriage, and land records, as well as documents from American history covering the Revolutionary War and the Whiskey Rebellion. Pennsylvania researchers will be glad to have these archives online and searchable. The Archives include:
- Early Pennsylvania settlements, from 1664 to 1780.
- The Revolutionary War (1775–1789).
- The Whiskey Rebellion (1794).
- The War with Mexico, 1846-1847
- More Pennsylvania history through 1880.
- US Pennsylvania GenWeb Archives
- Pennsylvania Disasters
Ever think your ancestors must have disappeared into thin air? You might find them here. I did - a whole family who was killed in a railroad accident.
- Philadelphia Death Certificates, 1803-1915
FamilySearch - Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. - Pennsylvania Marriages 1885-1889
Pennsylvania State Archives - Philadelphia Marriage Index, 1885-1951 FamilySearch - Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.
Search for obits, birth announcements, marriage announcements and other newsworthy events.
- State Library of Pennsylvania
Includes the Pennsylvania Necrology Scrapbook of obituaries clipped from Pennsylvania newspapers between 1891 and 1904. - PA historical newspapers
- Google News Archive
Search for obits in the PA newspapers in the Google News Archive.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Finding Living People
Genealogists search for their ancestors - people long dead; but sometimes they have a need to find a living person to help with genealogy research.
Losing touch with a cousin or the need to find a distant relative to help with research are just a few of the reasons to search for a living person.
There are a number of people finder search engines that are very good at what they do. Some of them search the web; some search public records; some of them can search the deep web databases that don't normally show up on a Google search.
Sometimes they point to pay-for-databases, but most of the information is free. There is generally enough free info that it usually isn't necessary to pay for a living person search.
Here are my favorite US-based people search engines:
http://pipl.com/
Searches not only the web, but also the deep web or invisible web. Since most personal profiles, public records and other people-related documents are stored in databases and not on static web pages, this search engine finds the higher-quality information about people that is simply "invisible" to a regular search engine.
http://www.zabasearch.com/
Free people search engine that gives address and telephone number for free. ZabaSearch also supplies the birthdate which can help narrow down the correct person.
WhitePages.com
White pages results show age and related people to help narrow down the right person.
http://www.zoominfo.com/search
Find people through the company they work for.
http://www.searchforancestors.com/personfinder/
Step by step ideas for finding people - long lost mother, long lost father and other relatives.
US Search
When the free people search engines can't help, you can always try one of the pay people finders. They say "Guaranteed - no results, no charge".
When I saw how much information was available to other people when I searched for my own name, I was tempted to opt out of these search engines. It is public information and posted for all to see. But then I realized if a long-lost or distant relative was searching for me, I didn't want to close the door by opting out. Opting in or opting out of these people finder search engines is a hard decision to make but everyone must choose for themselves how much info about themselves they are willing to have available on the internet to help people find them.
Losing touch with a cousin or the need to find a distant relative to help with research are just a few of the reasons to search for a living person.
There are a number of people finder search engines that are very good at what they do. Some of them search the web; some search public records; some of them can search the deep web databases that don't normally show up on a Google search.
Sometimes they point to pay-for-databases, but most of the information is free. There is generally enough free info that it usually isn't necessary to pay for a living person search.
Here are my favorite US-based people search engines:
http://pipl.com/
Searches not only the web, but also the deep web or invisible web. Since most personal profiles, public records and other people-related documents are stored in databases and not on static web pages, this search engine finds the higher-quality information about people that is simply "invisible" to a regular search engine.
http://www.zabasearch.com/
Free people search engine that gives address and telephone number for free. ZabaSearch also supplies the birthdate which can help narrow down the correct person.
WhitePages.com
White pages results show age and related people to help narrow down the right person.
http://www.zoominfo.com/search
Find people through the company they work for.
http://www.searchforancestors.com/personfinder/
Step by step ideas for finding people - long lost mother, long lost father and other relatives.
US Search
When the free people search engines can't help, you can always try one of the pay people finders. They say "Guaranteed - no results, no charge".
When I saw how much information was available to other people when I searched for my own name, I was tempted to opt out of these search engines. It is public information and posted for all to see. But then I realized if a long-lost or distant relative was searching for me, I didn't want to close the door by opting out. Opting in or opting out of these people finder search engines is a hard decision to make but everyone must choose for themselves how much info about themselves they are willing to have available on the internet to help people find them.
Monday, October 04, 2010
Family Tree Maker for the Mac!
Hurray! Mac users have been asking for Family Tree Maker for Mac and now it is almost here. Millions of people have used FTM to discover, preserve and share their family stories. Now Mac users can too.
Ancestry says the FTM for the Mac was constructed from the bottom up to take full advantage of the Mac platform in terms of technology and user experience.
Family Tree Maker for Mac, which is based on Family Tree Maker 2010, makes organizing, researching and sharing your family history easier than ever, whether you're just getting started or already an expert.
What can you do with Family Tree Maker for Mac?
• Build your family tree. Start your family tree from scratch, download a tree from Ancestry.com or import a family tree file from a family member. Then use the powerful sourcing tools in Family Tree Maker for Mac to document and rate each fact in your tree.
• Enhance your family history. Illustrate your family story with photos, historical records and audio and video files. The easy-to-use tools in Family Tree Maker for Mac let you scan images right into your tree and even create slideshows. And don't miss the interactive maps that can give you a bird's-eye view of your ancestors' homelands.
• Share your discoveries. Create a variety of colorful family tree charts, such as pedigree, descendant, bowtie and fan charts, among others. Play with custom templates. Add personal touches like family pictures and backgrounds. And create reports that provide a snapshot of your family tree and help you plan what to research next. You can also combine charts, reports, timelines, photos and stories in a custom book that your family will treasure.
• Search the billions of historical records on Ancestry.com from within the Family Tree Maker for Mac software. Take advantage of Ancestry Hints linking you to historical records that might contain more information about people in your tree and simply click to merge records that are a match into your tree. You can also upload your tree to Ancestry.com and connect with millions of other family historians across the world or import a tree you've created on Ancestry.com to Family Tree Maker for Mac.
Although I don't use a Mac, I'm looking forward to connecting and sharing files with my many relatives who do use a Mac.
Now Available - Family Tree Maker for Mac You can enter the coupon G5JXTRY at checkout in the box marked Redeem Coupons for a 20% discount.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)