This course will introduce the myriad ways that the Internet can support our family history research efforts. We begin with some ways to prepare before conducting our research and move forward identifying the many different categories of websites that are potentially useful to genealogists. We end with learning how to harness the power of the collaborative web and social media, and how we, as researchers, have the opportunity to help increase the amount of genealogical information available online.
Course Content
Module 1
Preparing for Internet Research
Protecting Your Computer
Email
Purchasing Records Online
Strategies for Success
Have a Research Plan
Ways to Stay Focused
Web Clipping and Note-taking Software
Creating a Personal Research Toolbox
Spreadsheets are a Genealogists Best Friend
Citing Your Information
The Internet and Genealogy
Common Misconceptions
What is a URL, Exactly?
Copyright Issues
Standards for the Use of Technology in Genealogical Research
Good Places to Begin
Genealogical Gateway Websites
General Genealogical Gateway Websites
Locality, Ethnic and Religion Gateway Websites
Groups for Genealogy
Searching Google Groups
Facebook Groups and Pages for Genealogists
Module 2
Databases Online
Tips and Techniques for Searching Databases
The Two Most Important Free Database Websites
FamilySearch
Searching Historical Record Collections
RootsWeb
The Free Versus For Fee Debate
Major Commercial Databases Online
Ancestry
Fold3
FindMyPast
RootsIreland.ie
Additional Free & For Fee Databases Online
Vital Statistics: Births, Marriages, Deaths
Census and Census Substitutes
Wills and Probate
Emigration/Immigration
Land and Property
Military
Other Subjects
Module 3
Searching for Surnames
Using Surname Websites Effectively
Privacy and Security Issues
Surname Query Websites
Smaller Surname Query Websites
Message Boards and Forums
Smaller Surname Message Boards and Forums
GEDCOM Websites
More Surnames Sites
Personal Family History Websites
Personal Genealogy Blogs
The Science of DNA and Family Connections
Locating Living Descendants
Module 4
Online Libraries, Archives and Record Offices
Library, Archive & Record Office Gateway Websites
Worldwide Libraries and Archives
Canada
Provincial
Other
United States
Regional
State
Other
United Kingdom and Ireland
Europe
Other Countries
Worldwide
Family History and Genealogical Societies
Module 5
Internet Search Tools
General Search Engines
Google
Yahoo!
Bing
More on Boolean Searching
Search Engine Alerts
Regional Search Engines
MetaSearch Engines
Specialized Genealogy Search Engines
Searching for Images
Searching for Book
Steps for Finding Relevant Information on the Internet
Evaluating Information on the Internet
How to Evaluate What You Find
How to Use What You Find
Module 6
Sites That Add Richness to Your Family History
Geography
Gazetteers, Atlases and Place Name Indexes
Maps
Historical Maps
Modern Maps
History
Local History
Military
Directories
Occupations
Biographies
Diaries and Letters
Newspapers and Journals
Directories and Indexes of Newspaper Titles
Larger General Sites
Smaller Collections and Individual Newspapers
Canada
United States
United Kingdom and Ireland
Other Countries
Current Newspapers Online
Photographs and Images
Module 7
The Collaborative Web
Blogs
Finding Relevant Blogs
Reading Blogs
Wikis
Podcasts
Webinars and Webcasts
Social Networking Websites
Social Bookmarking
Online Family Trees
Social Media
Keeping Up to Date With New Internet Resources for Genealogy
Paying It Forward
Conclusion
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