WELCOME ! ! !
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Navigating genealogy websites can be tricky.
Here are some ideas and links for you to get the most out of your website searches. If you have any questions....feel free to contact me -
TIPS & TRICKS
Print Screen – to capture an image on a screen, paste it into paint or a photo program
To find a word on a webpage – “Control” and “F” - type the word or phrase you want to find on the page
Copy and Paste: - click and drag the mouse over the text you wish to copy. Either "Control" & "C" or right click , "copy" then right click "paste" into the document
In any type of search, keep your eyes open for transcription errors, search by date and place rather than surname and perhaps the results will appear then. No database is complete or 100% accurate
What to look for: Life Events!
Vital records which hold the date of event for birth, marriage and death, census records, immigration records, naturalization, obituaries, & other announcements, homesteads, military papers (attestation and or military files, family stories in books....
Search engines ........
Google : Search names forwards and backwards, in quotes and without quotes “John Smith” “ Smith, John” Add a birthplace or year, in quotes or not in quotes to help narrow down the search. Don’t forget , Google, or any other search engine, does not find everything. Databases are hidden in websites, so find the sites as listed on page one for the locality that you are researching in.
Wildcards a symbol used in a database to replace letters.
Anders*n for Andersen, Anderson, etc.
Look for information on the page to see if their database supports wildcards.
Examples: Ancestry.com use *
Alberta Family History Cemetery uses %
Punctuation, symbols and operators that google recognizes
https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/2466433?hl=en
Print Screen – to capture an image on a screen, paste it into paint or a photo program
To find a word on a webpage – “Control” and “F” - type the word or phrase you want to find on the page
Copy and Paste: - click and drag the mouse over the text you wish to copy. Either "Control" & "C" or right click , "copy" then right click "paste" into the document
In any type of search, keep your eyes open for transcription errors, search by date and place rather than surname and perhaps the results will appear then. No database is complete or 100% accurate
What to look for: Life Events!
Vital records which hold the date of event for birth, marriage and death, census records, immigration records, naturalization, obituaries, & other announcements, homesteads, military papers (attestation and or military files, family stories in books....
Search engines ........
Google : Search names forwards and backwards, in quotes and without quotes “John Smith” “ Smith, John” Add a birthplace or year, in quotes or not in quotes to help narrow down the search. Don’t forget , Google, or any other search engine, does not find everything. Databases are hidden in websites, so find the sites as listed on page one for the locality that you are researching in.
Wildcards a symbol used in a database to replace letters.
Anders*n for Andersen, Anderson, etc.
Look for information on the page to see if their database supports wildcards.
Examples: Ancestry.com use *
Alberta Family History Cemetery uses %
Punctuation, symbols and operators that google recognizes
https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/2466433?hl=en
Remember: SEARCH ENGINES ARE NOT CAPABLE OF FINDING EVERYTHING
Data can hide in databases that search engines are not able to find or see. Find the type of websites you need, and look in their databases
~Genealogy Societies ~Directories
~Archives & Museums ~Local Area History Books
~Libraries / Universities ~Vital Statistics
~Online Newspapers ~Cemeteries
Keep in mind
Don't know the exact date? See if lists or indexes are available
Transcription errors - In any type of search, keep your eyes open for transcription errors. Manipulate the terms you use, search by date and place rather than surname
Nothing is complete -No database is complete or 100% accurate
Keep track of your user names and passwords for the various sites. Put on coloured paper for an easy locate.
Source your documents. Article: http://www.cyndislist.com/citing/citations-in-genealogy/
Be open minded about the possibilities.
Find interesting genealogy related videos on Youtube
GENEALOGY SOCIETIES
Alberta Genealogical Society (AGS) http://www.abgenealogy.ca/
Homestead indexes
Using the homestead indexes at https://www.abgenealogy.ca/ab-homestead-index-page
Search by surname OR use Advanced search by legal land description.
Try using first three or four letters of surname in the surname search if your people aren't coming up with the whole name typed in. This database will help you find the film number and file number you need. Then, use this link and change the four digits in the link to match the film # you want.
https://archive.org/details/albertahomestead2794cana
Edmonton Branch AGS https://edmontongenealogy.ca/
1901 Census AB/SK http://www.agsedm.edmonton.ab.ca/index.html
Edmonton Branch AGS online resources http://www.agsedm.edmonton.ab.ca/research.html
Lethbridge branch AGS http://lethbridgeags.theboss.net
Index of a few local cemeteries, obituary indexes
Alberta Family Histories Society – Calgary and area http://www.afhs.ab.ca/index.html
Saskatchewan Genealogy Society http://www.saskgenealogy.ca/
Ukrainian Genealogy Society http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ukrgs/index.htm
ARCHIVES / MUSEUMS
Provincial Archives of Alberta http://provincialarchives.alberta.ca/
Looking for an Alberta township map?
Go to: https://hermis.alberta.ca/paa/
In the "Search the Archives" Box type the township and range in, like so. TP.55 RGE.10
Many maps will come up in the results. The most informative map is the one with red handwriting on it naming the homesteader of the 1/4 section.
Once you find the map you need, right click "Save Image As" -----
LIBRARIES /UNIVERSITIES
Edmonton Public Library http://www.epl.ca/
Edmonton Journal obituary index 1950-1982 https://www2.epl.ca_/Obituaries/Obituaries.cfm
With the use of your Edmonton Public Library Card online:
Canadian Newsstand Many obituaries are indexed from many newspapers across Canada. Some of the newspapers have obituaries in full text in this database. Heritage Quest – US Census – Persi PERSI contains more than 1.9 million citations from more than 6,500 genealogy and local history periodicals (journals, magazines, etc.) published in the United States and Canada (in both French and English), Britain, and Ireland. There are even some from as far as Australia.
Ancestry.com Library Edition (available on site at Library)
University of Alberta – Peel Collection http://Peel.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers
Henderson Directories prior to 1953 “flip a book” http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/henderson.html
INDEXING PROJECTS / ONLINE NEWSPAPERS
Edmonton Journal http://www.edmontonjournal.com
Lethbridge Historical Research Centre Two separate indexes of South Western Alberta obituaries at "Our Heritage" 1885-1959 1970-1984
Alberta Family Histories Society Calgary and area - “Genealogical Resources” http://afhs.ab.ca/
The Recents http://albertagenealogy-research.ca
Indexing of Edmonton Bulletin/Journal, Calgary Herald, Vancouver Sun 1930-1936, Military info and more
Brooks Bulletin http://search.canadiana.ca/view/ams.BrooksBulletin
Wainwright Star http://news2.arcasearch.com/ca/wc/?paper=___
Manitoba various newspapers http://manitobia.ca/
Winnipeg Free Press Full obituaries back 1999 http://www.passagesmb.com/
Obituary Daily Times https://sites.rootsweb.com/~obituary/
Historical Canadian Newspapers Online
http://libguides.bgsu.edu/content.php?pid=489945&sid=4018827
Historical Newspapers online - Finding Aids http://libguides.bgsu.edu/newspapers
Google News List of Newspapers http://news.google.com/newspapers
GENWEB A non-profit, volunteer based organization dedicated to providing genealogical and historical records and resources for world-wide access! Use Google to find the Genweb for the area you are searching in. “Scotland GenWeb”
LOCAL AREA HISTORY BOOKS - University of Calgary
https://cdm22007.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p22007coll8/search
Google Book Search
Google will search snippets from books that they have digitized. In some cases the entire book may be online. https://books.google.com/?hl=_en
Use interlibrary loans to borrow the book you cannot find online
CENSUS
Automated Genealogy 1851, 1852, 1901, 1906, 1911 Census http://www.automatedgenealogy.com
Library and Archives Canada http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/Pages/census.aspx
1916 http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1916/Pages/1916.aspx
1906 http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1906/Pages/1906.aspx
1940 National Registration
http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/olc-cel/olc.action?ObjId=93C0006&Obj&lang=en&limit=0
VITAL STATISTICS
Provincial Archives of Alberta is able to provide access to
Birth Records (not adoption records) older than 120 years
Marriage Registrations older than 75 years
Death Registrations older than 50 years.
http://provincialarchives.alberta.ca/how-to/find-birth-marriage-death-records/Default.aspx
See more information about Alberta Vital Statistics on my blog
http://albertaresearch2.blogspot.com/2017/03/historical-vital-statistics-in-alberta.html
http://albertaresearch2.blogspot.com/2017/04/follow-up-to-release-of-alberta.html
If you require Alberta Vital Statistic records more recent than the above, contact the Alberta Vital Statistics department directly.
Provincial Archives of Alberta BC Archives Death registrations, earlier births, baptisms, marriages
http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/BasicSearch
Saskatchewan Vital Statistics http://genealogy.ehealthsask.ca/vsgs_srch.aspx
Death registrations (over 100 years old) and Deaths prior to 1917
Manitoba Vital Statistics http://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca//Query.php
Newfoundland Grand Banks http://ngb.chebucto.org/
Nova Scotia Archives https://www.novascotiagenealogy.com/
CEMETERIES
Find-A-Grave http://www.findagrave.com
City of Edmonton Cemeteries http://webproxy.edmonton.ca/external/cemeteries/
Old Banff Cemetery http://www.banff.ca/index.aspx?NID=493 http://banffmaps.ca/oldbanffcemetery/
Prairie Souls http://prairiesouls.com/
Canada Gen Web Cemetery Project https://cemetery.canadagenweb.org/
*Locate city and or and county websites using Google to see if that city or town publishes their cemetery burials
DIRECTORIES
Dave Obee of CanGenealogy provides links to Canadian directories (Henderson's, Polk etc.)
http://www.cangenealogy.com/
Directories United States http://distantcousin.com/Directories/
SITES OF INTEREST
Family Search http://www.familysearch.org
“Search” Browse by Location /Census, Passenger Lists, Probate, church registers
Genealogies user submitted family trees Wiki – learn Get help-Learning center videos
Library and Archives Canada
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/genealogy/Pages/introduction.aspx
Archivianet Passenger lists, Attestation papers, immigration 1925-1935, NWMP Records and more! http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet/index-e.html
Canadian Naturalization http://tinyurl.com/l88y96v
Nanaimo Family History http://www.nanaimofamilyhistory.ca/
Quebec Ports 21 Oct 1906 to 13 Oct 1910
http://www.nanaimofamilyhistory.ca/index.php?p=1_9_Passenger-List-Project
Saskatoon Public Library http://spldatabase.saskatoonlibrary.ca/
Saskatoon Star Phoenix obituaries index 1946 to recent
Saskatchewan Homestead Index http://www.saskhomesteads.com/
Internet Archive Wayback machine
http://www.archive.org/index.php
$ PAY TO USE DATABASES $
Ancestry.ca Ancestry.com http://www.ancestry.ca http://www.ancestry.com
A subscription based service. Ancestry.com Library edition free to use at the
~Provincial Archives of Alberta
~Edmonton Public Libraries
~Alberta Genealogical Society
~Family History Centres - Edmonton- Riverbend Stake and Bonnie Doon Stake
Quite often ancestry.ca will offer free access to all Canadian records on Family Day weekend, Canada Day and other holiday weekends.
Canadian Passenger lists, Drouin Collection, Canada Census, Canadian Passenger lists. Ontario Births 1869-1909, Marriages 1857-1924, Deaths 1869-1934.
Find My Past - a fee based site http://www.findmypast.com/home.jsp
Immigration records, England & Wales births, Marriages, deaths, etc.
Newspaper Archive http://www.newspaperarchive.com/
Mostly United States, some Canadian papers
TIPS & TRICKS
In any type of search, keep your eyes open for transcription errors, search by date and place rather than surname and perhaps the results will appear then. No database is complete or 100% accurate
Google Search names forwards and backwards, in quotes and without quotes
Keep track of your research, positive and negative results. Bookmark pages. Keep good notes
Things to remember:
Family trees found online are not always accurate or correct.
Spelling: Errors can occur, whether it's an original document, or a transcription of documents, keep your eyes open for all possibilities.
Source your documents and findings.
Consider finding out what the Alberta Genealogy Society has for resources.
Help from others online
VOLUNTEERS
Gen Web Sometimes volunteers are available through the Genweb sites.The co-ordinator of the site does not do look ups or research but some volunteers make themselves available. Alberta Volunteers with information
Facebook “Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness”
Katherine R. Willson's Genealogy on Facebook
https://socialmediagenealogy.com/genealogy-on-facebook-list/
Data can hide in databases that search engines are not able to find or see. Find the type of websites you need, and look in their databases
~Genealogy Societies ~Directories
~Archives & Museums ~Local Area History Books
~Libraries / Universities ~Vital Statistics
~Online Newspapers ~Cemeteries
Keep in mind
Don't know the exact date? See if lists or indexes are available
Transcription errors - In any type of search, keep your eyes open for transcription errors. Manipulate the terms you use, search by date and place rather than surname
Nothing is complete -No database is complete or 100% accurate
Keep track of your user names and passwords for the various sites. Put on coloured paper for an easy locate.
Source your documents. Article: http://www.cyndislist.com/citing/citations-in-genealogy/
Be open minded about the possibilities.
Find interesting genealogy related videos on Youtube
GENEALOGY SOCIETIES
Alberta Genealogical Society (AGS) http://www.abgenealogy.ca/
Homestead indexes
Using the homestead indexes at https://www.abgenealogy.ca/ab-homestead-index-page
Search by surname OR use Advanced search by legal land description.
Try using first three or four letters of surname in the surname search if your people aren't coming up with the whole name typed in. This database will help you find the film number and file number you need. Then, use this link and change the four digits in the link to match the film # you want.
https://archive.org/details/albertahomestead2794cana
Edmonton Branch AGS https://edmontongenealogy.ca/
1901 Census AB/SK http://www.agsedm.edmonton.ab.ca/index.html
Edmonton Branch AGS online resources http://www.agsedm.edmonton.ab.ca/research.html
Lethbridge branch AGS http://lethbridgeags.theboss.net
Index of a few local cemeteries, obituary indexes
Alberta Family Histories Society – Calgary and area http://www.afhs.ab.ca/index.html
Saskatchewan Genealogy Society http://www.saskgenealogy.ca/
Ukrainian Genealogy Society http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ukrgs/index.htm
ARCHIVES / MUSEUMS
Provincial Archives of Alberta http://provincialarchives.alberta.ca/
Looking for an Alberta township map?
Go to: https://hermis.alberta.ca/paa/
In the "Search the Archives" Box type the township and range in, like so. TP.55 RGE.10
Many maps will come up in the results. The most informative map is the one with red handwriting on it naming the homesteader of the 1/4 section.
Once you find the map you need, right click "Save Image As" -----
LIBRARIES /UNIVERSITIES
Edmonton Public Library http://www.epl.ca/
Edmonton Journal obituary index 1950-1982 https://www2.epl.ca_/Obituaries/Obituaries.cfm
With the use of your Edmonton Public Library Card online:
Canadian Newsstand Many obituaries are indexed from many newspapers across Canada. Some of the newspapers have obituaries in full text in this database. Heritage Quest – US Census – Persi PERSI contains more than 1.9 million citations from more than 6,500 genealogy and local history periodicals (journals, magazines, etc.) published in the United States and Canada (in both French and English), Britain, and Ireland. There are even some from as far as Australia.
Ancestry.com Library Edition (available on site at Library)
University of Alberta – Peel Collection http://Peel.library.ualberta.ca/newspapers
Henderson Directories prior to 1953 “flip a book” http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/henderson.html
INDEXING PROJECTS / ONLINE NEWSPAPERS
Edmonton Journal http://www.edmontonjournal.com
Lethbridge Historical Research Centre Two separate indexes of South Western Alberta obituaries at "Our Heritage" 1885-1959 1970-1984
Alberta Family Histories Society Calgary and area - “Genealogical Resources” http://afhs.ab.ca/
The Recents http://albertagenealogy-research.ca
Indexing of Edmonton Bulletin/Journal, Calgary Herald, Vancouver Sun 1930-1936, Military info and more
Brooks Bulletin http://search.canadiana.ca/view/ams.BrooksBulletin
Wainwright Star http://news2.arcasearch.com/ca/wc/?paper=___
Manitoba various newspapers http://manitobia.ca/
Winnipeg Free Press Full obituaries back 1999 http://www.passagesmb.com/
Obituary Daily Times https://sites.rootsweb.com/~obituary/
Historical Canadian Newspapers Online
http://libguides.bgsu.edu/content.php?pid=489945&sid=4018827
Historical Newspapers online - Finding Aids http://libguides.bgsu.edu/newspapers
Google News List of Newspapers http://news.google.com/newspapers
GENWEB A non-profit, volunteer based organization dedicated to providing genealogical and historical records and resources for world-wide access! Use Google to find the Genweb for the area you are searching in. “Scotland GenWeb”
LOCAL AREA HISTORY BOOKS - University of Calgary
https://cdm22007.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p22007coll8/search
Google Book Search
Google will search snippets from books that they have digitized. In some cases the entire book may be online. https://books.google.com/?hl=_en
Use interlibrary loans to borrow the book you cannot find online
CENSUS
Automated Genealogy 1851, 1852, 1901, 1906, 1911 Census http://www.automatedgenealogy.com
Library and Archives Canada http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/Pages/census.aspx
1916 http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1916/Pages/1916.aspx
1906 http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1906/Pages/1906.aspx
1940 National Registration
http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/olc-cel/olc.action?ObjId=93C0006&Obj&lang=en&limit=0
VITAL STATISTICS
Provincial Archives of Alberta is able to provide access to
Birth Records (not adoption records) older than 120 years
Marriage Registrations older than 75 years
Death Registrations older than 50 years.
http://provincialarchives.alberta.ca/how-to/find-birth-marriage-death-records/Default.aspx
See more information about Alberta Vital Statistics on my blog
http://albertaresearch2.blogspot.com/2017/03/historical-vital-statistics-in-alberta.html
http://albertaresearch2.blogspot.com/2017/04/follow-up-to-release-of-alberta.html
If you require Alberta Vital Statistic records more recent than the above, contact the Alberta Vital Statistics department directly.
Provincial Archives of Alberta BC Archives Death registrations, earlier births, baptisms, marriages
http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/BasicSearch
Saskatchewan Vital Statistics http://genealogy.ehealthsask.ca/vsgs_srch.aspx
Death registrations (over 100 years old) and Deaths prior to 1917
Manitoba Vital Statistics http://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca//Query.php
Newfoundland Grand Banks http://ngb.chebucto.org/
Nova Scotia Archives https://www.novascotiagenealogy.com/
CEMETERIES
Find-A-Grave http://www.findagrave.com
City of Edmonton Cemeteries http://webproxy.edmonton.ca/external/cemeteries/
Old Banff Cemetery http://www.banff.ca/index.aspx?NID=493 http://banffmaps.ca/oldbanffcemetery/
Prairie Souls http://prairiesouls.com/
Canada Gen Web Cemetery Project https://cemetery.canadagenweb.org/
*Locate city and or and county websites using Google to see if that city or town publishes their cemetery burials
DIRECTORIES
Dave Obee of CanGenealogy provides links to Canadian directories (Henderson's, Polk etc.)
http://www.cangenealogy.com/
Directories United States http://distantcousin.com/Directories/
SITES OF INTEREST
Family Search http://www.familysearch.org
“Search” Browse by Location /Census, Passenger Lists, Probate, church registers
Genealogies user submitted family trees Wiki – learn Get help-Learning center videos
Library and Archives Canada
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/genealogy/Pages/introduction.aspx
Archivianet Passenger lists, Attestation papers, immigration 1925-1935, NWMP Records and more! http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet/index-e.html
Canadian Naturalization http://tinyurl.com/l88y96v
Nanaimo Family History http://www.nanaimofamilyhistory.ca/
Quebec Ports 21 Oct 1906 to 13 Oct 1910
http://www.nanaimofamilyhistory.ca/index.php?p=1_9_Passenger-List-Project
Saskatoon Public Library http://spldatabase.saskatoonlibrary.ca/
Saskatoon Star Phoenix obituaries index 1946 to recent
Saskatchewan Homestead Index http://www.saskhomesteads.com/
Internet Archive Wayback machine
http://www.archive.org/index.php
$ PAY TO USE DATABASES $
Ancestry.ca Ancestry.com http://www.ancestry.ca http://www.ancestry.com
A subscription based service. Ancestry.com Library edition free to use at the
~Provincial Archives of Alberta
~Edmonton Public Libraries
~Alberta Genealogical Society
~Family History Centres - Edmonton- Riverbend Stake and Bonnie Doon Stake
Quite often ancestry.ca will offer free access to all Canadian records on Family Day weekend, Canada Day and other holiday weekends.
Canadian Passenger lists, Drouin Collection, Canada Census, Canadian Passenger lists. Ontario Births 1869-1909, Marriages 1857-1924, Deaths 1869-1934.
Find My Past - a fee based site http://www.findmypast.com/home.jsp
Immigration records, England & Wales births, Marriages, deaths, etc.
Newspaper Archive http://www.newspaperarchive.com/
Mostly United States, some Canadian papers
TIPS & TRICKS
In any type of search, keep your eyes open for transcription errors, search by date and place rather than surname and perhaps the results will appear then. No database is complete or 100% accurate
Google Search names forwards and backwards, in quotes and without quotes
Keep track of your research, positive and negative results. Bookmark pages. Keep good notes
Things to remember:
Family trees found online are not always accurate or correct.
Spelling: Errors can occur, whether it's an original document, or a transcription of documents, keep your eyes open for all possibilities.
Source your documents and findings.
Consider finding out what the Alberta Genealogy Society has for resources.
Help from others online
VOLUNTEERS
Gen Web Sometimes volunteers are available through the Genweb sites.The co-ordinator of the site does not do look ups or research but some volunteers make themselves available. Alberta Volunteers with information
Facebook “Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness”
Katherine R. Willson's Genealogy on Facebook
https://socialmediagenealogy.com/genealogy-on-facebook-list/
Step away from the computer
The internet is a great place to start your genealogy research, All you require or want is not, nor will it ever be, all online. Visit relatives, libraries, genealogical societies, family history centres, associations, archives and museums.
this page last revised January 2020
The internet is a great place to start your genealogy research, All you require or want is not, nor will it ever be, all online. Visit relatives, libraries, genealogical societies, family history centres, associations, archives and museums.
this page last revised January 2020
