Genealogy search

[it's a secret]

I am an occasional poster on this board but I am looking at doing a genealogy search as a surprise gift for someone who also posts here so I am doing under a different name.

Has anyone done a genealogy search before? I have some info but it only goes back to the late 1800's. If you have done it, which sites or services did you use? How much did it cost and approx how long did it take?

Any info you can offer would be oh so gratefully accepted!!

Thank you

 

[pigletz]

I've done a lot of research on my family history. These are the sites that I use.

1. Ancestry.com It can be a little pricey but they have a two week free trial. They also tell you that it costs so much per year when you're done with the trial but you can go back and choose the month subsciption if you don't think you'll use it that long. Just be sure to call and cancel. Ancestry is especially helpful if you're looking within the US or Canada. It's a little harder to get info on people outside the US or Canada once you get back a few generations.

2. Family Search I use this one to get possible leads. I usually don't add a person just based on this site since I've found some inconsistensies.

3. Cindy's list This site has a ton of links to all kinds of genealogy sites.

4. Rootsweb They have a really good message board. Messages are grouped by surname and by location. I've actually been able to find two very distant relatives who were able to fill in some of the gaps.

I hope this helps.

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

We had a family member produce a copy for everyone, and hand it out at the reunion. It was a great surprise for us all! Sorry, no source help here. Good luck and have fun with it!

 

[Crankyshank]

Pigletz refered you to the sites I use. I'm currently have a doozy of a time searching for my paternal side of the family. The best resource is to search online for local assistance - either from a local library or a historical society. For example, the part of my family I'm having trouble with is French Canadian so I have contacted the Franco American society in the state those relatives emigrated to.

The best piece of info that I've used so far has been the WWI draft registration. It's been better than census records because you have the information in that person's hand and it's correct. Census records have incorrect spelling quite often. My maternal Great Great Grandparents had about 7 different versions of their names

 

[maleficent1959]

Check your local library to see if they have free access to Ancestry.com. I know my mother's does. When she was a teacher the school had free access, and now that she has left teaching she is able to get full access to Ancestry at the library.

 

[Stitchfans]

I've been searching for my birthmother for over 10 years now. Several years ago I finally discovered her name. She came from a southern state (which one unknown) to Chicago. Her name is Shirley Atkins.

I'll be 50 this upcoming birthday in January. Imagine finding her for my 50th. (wouldn't find 50 so scarey any more)

 

[MI mom of 3]

I've been searching for my birthmother for over 10 years now. Several years ago I finally discovered her name. She came from a southern state (which one unknown) to Chicago. Her name is Shirley Atkins.

I'll be 50 this upcoming birthday in January. Imagine finding her for my 50th. (wouldn't find 50 so scarey any more)

Wow!! Good luck with your search! Here's some Pixie Dust for you

 

[dixipixi]

I've used Ancestry.com and Rootsweb. There is nothing comparable to having actual documents (old family bibles, birth records, etc.) or first-hand knowledge from older members of the family.

The problem I've had is finding that the courthouse was burned, flooded, etc.

Another thing to consider is making sure you have all possible spelling versions of last names. When members of our family who were not French moved to Louisiana, they often had their names entered into court records with a French spelling. So you may actually find records of your ancestors and pass them over thinking it's not the same person.

Good Luck!!!