Resources for Beginning Genealogists

[Library Lady]

My library requires all staff to search for information for personal training according to their interests after they complete the mandatory library-wide training. I came across these lectures on the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) website on how librarians can provide genealogical research assistance for patrons and thought they would provide good information for anyone here who is just starting out in genealogy. Each lecture runs about 90 minutes. In addition to being a librarian at the Plainfield (IL) Public Library, the presenter also has her own genealogical research business.

General topics covered:

• The three main questions librarians should ask a patron when they first present requesting genealogical assistance.
• Available on-line resources for genealogists, their benefits and limitations.
• The general differences between what is offered via a library license and a personal paid subscription license for on-line genealogical databases.
• Types of off-line records, where to look for them and their benefits and limitations.
• Types of records you might not have considered and how they can be used.

Examples are often Illinois-centric because of the audience. Obviously, this will be the most helpful for those looking for ancestors here, but it should get one to thinking that if Illinois has these kinds of records, then perhaps other states do, too, and the places one could begin to look for them in their own state.

She mentions finditillinois.org/tryit. I believe her lecture is from 2016, but this is something that is available every year from about October 1 to November 30.

She often mentions cyberdriveillinois as the website for the Illinois Secretary of State which is the gateway to the Illinois State Archives. That website has changed to ilsos.gov. As she points out, the Secretary of State is also the Head Librarian and the Head Archivist for the state, not just the person who hands out license plates and drivers' licenses.

Genealogy Basics for Library Staff

Genealogy Basics for Library Staff | RAILS: Reaching Across Illinois Library System

www.railslibraries.info

Genealogy @ Your Reference Desk

Genealogy @ Your Reference Desk | RAILS: Reaching Across Illinois Library System

www.railslibraries.info

Advanced Genealogy Techniques for Library Staff

Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques for Library Staff | RAILS: Reaching Across Illinois Library System

www.railslibraries.info

 

[lupaglupa]

Great resources - thanks for sharing these!

The general differences between what is offered via a library license and a personal paid subscription license for on-line genealogical databases.

This is a really good point - we often tell people who are shocked by the cost of Ancestry that they can get access at their local library but that access isn't exactly the same.

 

[Georgian1950]

Great resources - thanks for sharing these!


This is a really good point - we often tell people who are shocked by the cost of Ancestry that they can get access at their local library but that access isn't exactly the same.

I pay the price for Ancestry.com because I do my best work at about 3 am.

 

[lupaglupa]

I wince when I get the bills but I spend a lot of time on Ancestry and its linked sites.

 

[Carol]

I have yet to pay a subscription to Ancestry or any other genealogy corporation. I've been researching for over forty years and half of that time; Ancestry didn't even exist. Libraries, especially university libraries are among my favorites. Call me crazy, but I know how the records are stored and how to access them. BTW, this includes Fold3 too. I've visited them on free days only.