Here are some public websites that you can use in search of your family history:
- www.archives.gov/research/genealogy (National Archives)
- www.findagrave.com
- www.genweb.com
- www.cyndislist.com
- www.familysearch.org (Church of Latter-day Saints)
- www.rootsweb.com
- www.americanancestors.org (New England Historic Genealogical Society) A membership is required for research)
- www.acgs.org (American-Canadian Genealogical Society)
In addition to the genealogical databases, the E-Sources section of our library catalog has an index/article database for the Union Leader from late 1989 – present day. Unfortunately, not all the obituaries in the printed version of the Union Leader are in the “New Hampshire Union Leader / New Hampshire Sunday News – text only” database; however there are some obituaries available.
Using a search engine you can look for unique regional genealogical websites on the Internet, and find contact information for historical societies, libraries and individual people.
Spellings of surnames (last names) can change over a lifetime or generations, in either some or all limbs of the family tree:
Schoonmaker / Shoemaker
Depuy / Depui / Dupul
Burley/ Burleigh
Fayerbanke / Fairbank / Fairbanks
Document all sources of information. If there is inconsistent information, you can decide what may be the better source. You will have information ready if you need to document your family history, for a group, a paper, etc.
When using a search engine, try last name, first names instead of just first and last name. To focus the search, put name in parenthesis i.e. “Chauncey Merchant”.
Know the geography of the locations where ancestors resided. Over time, towns and counties changes names and borders change.
Manchester City Library’s New Hampshire Room has helpful resources, especially for people who have ancestors from the New England area. We have the series New England Historical and Genealogical Register, from the mid-1800s to present day. Town histories with genealogical sections (search the catalog to get an idea of what we have), Union Leader microfilm, Manchester Daily Mirror microfilm, Manchester vital records on microfilm, for certain periods of time, Manchester City Directories (late 1800s to present days) and other possible tools.
This is the last of three blogs to help you develop a family history. I hope you enjoy your quest as you explore with your family.
If you have questions about techniques, you can reach me at [email protected].
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