Genealogy Links

Trying to find links to research your family tree can sometimes be very frustrating to the beginner genealogist. Especially when first starting out you have very little means except some information and a computer.

One great place to start is Cyndy's List. She has tons of searchable links all categorized to make it easier for you. The only downfalls I have come across is some of the outside links you have to subscribe to with a fee or the link is outdated. Don't get discouraged if the link brings you to a subscription site. Sometimes they will show you a snippet of info that could help you out.
Also before you start searching the above link please make sure your browser's security settings are set. This makes sure you do not put your computer at risk. Also if you come across a link that doesn't work she wants you to let her know. There really is alot of sources on her page to get you started.

Now after you have found some good links to search from your next step is to bookmark them. Some sites are always being updated with more information so if you do not find anything this time you might later on down the road. But make sure it pertains to what you are searching for. No point in bookmarking say information to Egypt when this has nothing to do with your ancestors because more than likely you will not find what you are looking for no matter when you check back.

I find the easiest way to have all your genealogy book marks together is using a site called Protopage.   As you can see from my page you can group your bookmarks together. This makes searching so much easier.
I will go over some of my favorite links in upcoming posts.

Irish Gravesites

On my mother's side my great grandmother came from Ireland here to the United States. For others that have ancestors in Ireland you can look up where they are buried at Irish Graveyards . There is an ongoing project where grave sites are being transcribed and added on signs to each church graveyard.

If for some reason the church does not have the records then records are taken from the locals as to who is buried where. I was able to find my great grandmother's brother, wife and son in Bohola Cemetery. I am sure they will be updating this site in early spring next year as some places are not done yet. There are also pictures of the grave sites listed. Unfortunately the link to my family's pictures seems to be broken. Please give this site a try and tell my what you think.

I am Back!

Been away for a bit on this blog. Busy trying to get my life in order and get a goal started. I am trying to make it a priority to put at least one day to doing family history and then post here my findings.

Today I found not only was my father's grandfather cremated in Queens but so was his brother-in-law who died in a house fire in 1980.

I am also in the process of getting my great Uncle's death certificate so we can see where he is buried. That is where the rest of the family should be we hope. My father's side of the family has been tough to figure out.

Google Books

Google Books isn't just for finding books you would like to read online in the form of an e-book. There are many books on history that may have some interesting facts about some of your ancestors. Even if Google Books doesn't have the whole book at least it will give you the title and author so you can check to see if there is a copy in your local library.These books also go back quite a few years.

To ensure a better search make sure you put the ancestors name in quotation marks. This will then bring up the exact name and narrow down your search. Otherwise if say your ancestor's name is John Smith and you type it just like that Google Books will come up with entries with the name John and also entries with just the name Smith. Putting the name like "John Smith" will bring back in your search just articles on John Smith not just John or just Smith.

Things you can find in Google Books can be cemetery listings, burials, stories on the person or family themselves, family trees, things they might have done in the town they lived in and so much more. The cemetery listings are usually interment records of burials and since many are old listings you might be able to find a relative. Over the years due to neglect or just age many tombstones are very hard to read making identification of your ancestor almost impossible. At least with these early records you can tell whether they are buried there or not.

Old Pictures

Marion, Richard & Doris Dennie

Above is a picture of my great grandmother and her siblings. This was taken in the early 1900s. Before 1907 because that's when Doris died. If you don't have documents like death certificates, birth and also marriage certificates you can date photos you or your family has. They do say a picture is worth a thousand words. When I look at this picture I notice that my great grandmother and her brother look sad. Neither one of them are smiling. But Doris has a little smile on her face. Not too long after the picture she died of fever. 

Also remember to go back and look over things. It's like detective work. Sometimes the answers are right there in front of you to find.

Love Lasts Through All Time

This is my favorite picture of my grandparents. It was taken on their 25th wedding anniversary. I just wanted to share this with everyone. 

My grandfather passed away in 1967 and my grandmother joined him in 2008.

Together Again.....

Town Cryer

I am going to start a new posting called Town Cryer. In it I will post some interesting news on history.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

On this day May 23, 1934

Notorious bank robber Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were shot to death by Texas and Louisiana state police while driving a stolen vehicle near Sailes, Louisiana.

Fighting Begins on the North Anna River in Virginia. The campaign between Union commander Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, the commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, continued southward to the North Anna River around Hanover Junction.