Resource Sheet for Beginning Genealogists

I have assembled a list of basic resources for those beginning their family history journey. This one includes some resources specific to Illinois. I will work on a sheet for other states soon as well. Feel free to print this off and use it.  If you have a question on how to get started, I can be reached at rick@backstorybloodhound.com

RESOURCES FOR BEGINNING GENEALOGISTS

by Backstory Bloodhound, LLC

www.backstorybloodhound.com

There are literally thousands of genealogy websites, books and other genealogical resources so it is difficult to narrow down but I would recommend these for those interested in beginning family history research.

Book: Val D. Greenwood: The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, 4^th Edition,

(Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2017) - This is a good basic introductory  textbook to genealogy, its methodology and resources.

Book: Board for Certification of Genealogists, Genealogy Standards, Second Edition,      (Washington, DC: 2019) - Covers standards for good research.

www.ancestry.com – A subscription website found in most libraries and available at home. It has over 11 billion records including census records, vital records, probate records, military records and other types of genealogical resources. The site also allows anyone to submit a family tree and is a good way to keep track of your pedigree but beware that no sources are required to be submitted so always double-check anything found in a family tree. Ancestry offers DNA testing and has tools to assist with this.

www.familysearch.org – The website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, they have a large number of records from across the world which they have digitized. Some  are indexed by volunteers but many remain unindexed as well. This is a great resource –  search their catalog by state-county to see what is available. You may submit your family tree but be aware that it is open to being altered by others as their purpose is to create a  collaborative tree. Their research wikis are helpful in building genealogical skills.

www.myheritage.com – a subscription site which is strongest on overseas records for those with  more recent immigrant origins. They also have a tree building function as well as DNA.

www.familytreedna.com – Offers not only autosomal DNA testing but also Y-DNA and  mitochondrial testing. Some analysis tools allow you to examine at the     centimorgan/segment level.

www.fold3.com – A subscription site strongest in military records. This is a fantastic place to research Revolutionary and War of 1812 pension records but their scope goes far beyond   this and even includes 20^th century military records.

www.cyndislist.com – For more than 25 years, genealogists have relied on this as a sort of index  to genealogy websites.

www.chroniclingamerica.com – The Library of Congress’ website provides information on all known newspapers in the United States and houses digitized images of many.

www.findagrave.com – Millions of free images of tombstones with pictures taken by volunteers  across the United States. You can search by name or by cemetery.

www.newspapers.com – Over 566 million digitized newspaper images from more than 16,000    newspapers dating back to the 1700s. This is a subscription site.

www.newspaperarchive.com – A subscription site with over 120 digitized newspaper images.

www.genealogybank.com – More than 11,000 big city and small town newspapers.

https://books.google.com  – A great resources for digitized copies of out-of-print books.

https://glorecords.blm.gov/ - The Bureau of Land Management database of original land patents  from the federal government along with digital images. Searchable by name.

https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/index.html - In genealogy it is important to track not only your  family’s genealogy but the genealogy of the county as boundaries and political divisions    changed. This wonderful resource by the Newberry Library allows you to do that.

www.linkpendium.com - A valuable resource with links to other websites containing family histories and information on the state and county level.

                                         ILLINOIS SPECIFIC RESOURCES

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/databases/idphdeathindex.html - Illinois Death Certificates, 1916 – 1950. This is ONLY an index. You can order the original records from the Illinois State Genealogical Society

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/databases/death.html - An Index to Illinois Death Records Pre-1916. Remember this is ONLY an index. You can obtain the original death certificate from County Clerk’s office.

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/databases/marriage.html - Illinois Marriage Index,   1763 – 1900. Again, only an index. You can obtain the original record from the County Clerk’s office in most cases.

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/databases/data_lan.html - Illinois Public Domain Land Sales. This is searchable by purchaser and by legal description. Very helpful if your ancestor was an original owner of a tract purchased from the federal government in the state.

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/databases/datcivil.html - The Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls database. A fantastic resource of all Illinois Civil War   Union soldiers with physical descriptions, enlistment and discharge information, and     most of the time it includes the place of birth.

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/IRAD/iradholdings.html - Illinois has an Illinois Regional Archives Depository system at university across the state. You can search the database here to see what is available for each county.

https://www.library.illinois.edu/illinoisnewspaperproject/ - An Illinois newspaper project – images are free