Steve Szabados Genealogy

Using the Internet for Genealogy Research

The Internet has become an essential source for genealogical research. Records from many countries are now available due to the efforts of Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and Findmypast.com, as well as the cooperation of national archives in many countries. This explosion of online records is also due to the army of volunteers worldwide, who have donated many hours of their time to make these records searchable for our convenience. However, with the advances in the availability of records, do not be tempted to begin your online research by searching for international records only.

Be patient, learn the American story of your immigrant ancestors. You will not be able to find their foreign records unless you know where they left. The basic rule is to “search from the known to the unknown.” This strategy helps add accurate family data by working back from the present to immigration records, and then to foreign records.

Start by compiling the information from your family stories and papers, and then move on to online resources. Online databases are the most convenient resources to access and use, whether at home or in a library.

Online resources will help you be more efficient by providing indexed collections to search, allowing you to use your ancestors’ names when searching. Most databases also have images of the documents linked to the indexed results. Make sure you find a copy of the actual record because it is essential to verifying that the information is for your ancestor.

The number of genealogical databases on the Internet has exploded over the last 15 years. It is difficult to name all the available online resources, but Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org are the major genealogy websites, especially for U.S. records. However, explore other databases that may list your ancestors. Examples of other online resources include U.S. states and counties that have made many of their records available online, and genealogy societies that offer records for their locale or ethnic group. You should use these resources aggressively in your initial research on U.S. documents. Remember, U.S. records should point to where you should look for your ancestor’s foreign documents.

Internet Research Tips

Although online indexed databases are a fantastic tool for genealogy researchers, some records may remain hidden due to name variations, misspellings, and typing errors during indexing. The following are techniques I use to find hidden records.

Specific Databases:

The home pages of large genealogy websites invite you to enter a name into their global search boxes. Do not start your search on this page. Global searches return too many unrelated results because they do not allow you to enter enough criteria to narrow your results. In addition, the results will include multiple types of records (census, birth, marriage, death, etc.) from many different years, making it difficult to focus on the details to identify which apply to your ancestors.

I recommend searching individual databases in the website’s collection because I usually get accurate results faster. For example, when searching federal census records, I explore only one year at a time, starting with the 1950 census, and then searching the 1940 census after exhausting my results from the 1950 census. This method allows me to enter more criteria pertaining to my ancestors. This strategy usually produces more results on the first page belonging to my family. I have tried both methods and found that global searches may not return all my family’s records available in the collection.

Also, remember to use criteria you know are accurate or reasonable estimates. Using inaccurate information may give you results that are not about your ancestors. The phrase “Quality over Quantity” should apply to your research efforts.

The most important reason to search a specific database is that it allows you to focus on information for one person at a particular time and place. Concentrating on a specific database will help you focus and develop a plan of action, making you more efficient. It is an important skill needed for successful genealogical research.

Using Wildcards

Spelling variations in names can hide some records of your ancestors from your view. Using wildcards with portions of their names is another technique that helps you find more of their records. Wildcards can stand in for any letter or group of letters to catch alternate spellings or misspellings of the name. On most websites, an asterisk “*” stands for zero or more letters in a name, and a question mark “?” stands for exactly one letter. Also, it is legal to use both wildcards in the name.

The primary purpose of using wildcards is to move your family’s search results to the top of the results page. Do not be afraid to use wildcards. This strategy works.

First Names Only

Using only family members’ first names is another technique I use when my initial search results come up empty. I first decided to drop the surname when I could not find documents where other resources said they should be. I became desperate. So, I left the surname field blank to expand my search and entered the child’s, father’s, and mother’s first names. I also entered the child’s year of birth and his place of birth. The search produced only two results, with one name being very close to the family surname and the other not close at all.

Using this technique, I found the records for the other children and broke through the brick wall, which gave me clues to their Foreign surname. In addition, the birth records helped me find the parents’ marriage records and passenger manifests. These records gave me clues about their records in Prussia. After this success, I began using this technique in other brick-wall situations and enjoyed many successes.

Google Search

Google search is another tool that can break down “brick walls.” However, you should not use Google Search at the beginning of your research.  Using it too soon may lead you to data that isn’t for your family, and you may end up down a rabbit hole that wastes your time.

• I use Google search when I have exhausted my traditional sources and reached a brick wall.
• The words you use in your search are also crucial. For example, using only the family name will usually return too many results for the wrong people and also show results from the current time frame rather than your ancestor’s time.
• Using the family name, the word genealogy, and a year will narrow your search and give you more items from genealogical websites.
• If the family name is relatively common, adding a location, such as a state or a town name, will narrow your search further.
• Additionally, when entering a person’s first and last name, enclosing it in quotes will give you better correct results. If the name is not enclosed, the names in the results may be associated with two different people – the first name with one person and the surname with another.

The Google search engine first lists items that match all your terms, then lists items that match some but not all of them. If you list five terms, the results will first list those that contain all five, then those that include four, then three, two, and one.  Usually, I stop looking at the results when they show two different people for the person’s name.

I am excited about the tremendous amount of information now available online. Organize and begin writing a family history. Let your future generations enjoy the memories of their ancestors.   

Remember to be “Patient and Search from the Known to the Unknown.”

Research Trips: Cemeteries, Libraries, and Archives

Using the internet is a great way to start your research, but eventually, you will have to plan a research trip to get more information. You may be able to get some non-internet information through phone calls, letters, and emails. Eventually, you will need to do a genealogy-related trip for in-person research because you have too many questions, and the research may be too complicated to do it remotely. Additionally, wherever you go, you need to prepare very carefully to have a successful trip.

I suggest your first trip should be near where you live. Also, your first trip should have a small, simple to-do list. The location could be a cemetery, a local genealogy archive, or just visiting the neighborhood where your ancestors lived. Your research could be to record tombstone inscriptions, search for copies of obituaries, or take pictures of the homes and neighborhoods. These straightforward trips will help you develop your organizational skills for longer and more complicated trips. Furthermore, learn to photograph grave markers and take tombstone rubbings at a nearby cemetery. The time to learn is not at a cemetery many miles from home on the last day of your journey, with a storm approaching.

Where to go:
Cemeteries
Gather your information by recording inscriptions on grave markers, looking at nearby graves for other relatives or family and friends, and taking pictures.

Local Libraries and Historical Museums
Some local libraries and historical museums go beyond having genealogy books on their shelves. Look for older copies of the local newspapers, school yearbooks, ring binders holding stories of local history (people, buildings, and events), and a collection of historical photos of buildings and people that relate to your family history.

Genealogy Societies
Many local genealogy societies have worked hard to build collections of documents and information that pertain to their location. Their files are excellent sources for hard-to-find birth, marriage, and death records, family bibles, family histories, county histories, cemetery records, obituaries, and many more. Most societies have websites that list their collections and contact information. You may be able to answer some of your questions by email or phone, but if your list is long, you should plan to visit their archive for help.

County Offices
The county recorder is the place to find real estate and transactions for your ancestors. You must do this research in person or hire someone to do it. The county recorder or health department holds copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates, but you can usually order copies of these documents by mail, phone, or their website.

Other resources
The following are other resources that hold documents that you may need but are not online. Check their websites to see if they accept phone or email requests. However, if your list is long, you must do the research in person.
• Historical Battlefields
• Regional Libraries
• State Archives
• Regional National Archives

Avoid frustration and increase your research time by carefully planning your research trips:

1. Determine what records are available at the location of your trip. Email or call to make sure they have what you need. Make sure you visit the correct location, i.e., county borders may have changed, and your records may be at another courthouse. If your trip is a long distance from your home, double-check for alternate sources close to home.
2. Know What You Want. It is imperative to have a research plan so that you stay focused. Make a list of the issues you need to research at the location. Your lists should include:
   • specific facts you want to prove or disprove
   • records you need to find for particular people
   • what documents do you want to browse to see if they mention your ancestors
   • make a list of questions you need to ask at the location
3. Make sure the location is open the day you plan to be there. Make another phone call one to two weeks before your visit to make sure their schedule has not changed. Also, ask if there are any special instructions for finding the facility and convenient parking. Also, ask if they have a cafeteria, lunchroom, or nearby restaurants. For cemetery visits, obtain a map of the cemetery and the location of your ancestor’s gravesite before your visit, or make sure the office is open the day of your visit.
4. Learn the Procedures of the Location. You should learn the rules and restrictions on research at the library or archive, such as the use of cameras, laptops, and portable scanners. Are pens allowed, or are only pencils used? Is a wireless connection available? Is the access to the records closed stack or open stack? Are copy machines in open areas, or are staff only allowed to copy documents? Make sure the documents are at the library and not in off-site storage.
5. Get your Files and Tools Organized for the Trip. Taking the right stuff on your trip is essential. As part of your planning, it will be helpful to make lots of lists;
   • Notes you have for the people targeted on the trip
   • List of questions and issues for your targeted people
   • Maps, directions, and contact information
   • Always remember to take a magnifying glass to help in reading old records.
   • Copies of family trees or access to your family trees
   • Take copies of documents with you and leave your original documents behind. No one will probably steal them, but forgetting them somewhere is a definite possibility.

Other things to pack for a research trip
• Laptop computer or tablet – If you have one, take it on your trip, even if it is not allowed in the research facility. It is a great communication tool, and Wifi connections are available at most hotels and coffee shops.
• Thumb drives or flask drives to download copies of documents using the computers at the facility.
• Cell Phone – Never leave for a trip without your cell phone. This is essential for communicating on your trip and also using the map app on your phone.
• Camera – Even if cameras are not allowed in the research facility, use your camera to record your trip. You can also use your smartphone.
• Suitable clothing – Look at the weather forecast and be prepared for the worst.
• Umbrella – Again, always be prepared for changes in the weather.
• Snacks – You will need extra energy.
• If visiting cemeteries, take tools to clean around the edges of the grave markers.

Research trips should be fun. Preparing for it helps make your success possible.