Geneology searches...

[karebear1]

FYI- many LDS Stake Centers have genealogy libraries inside the buildings that are open to the public. They also have people that work in these libraries that are more then willing to help you find what you're looking for and answer many questions. They're pretty good at it too! In general, there is no charge for their help. There may be some minimal charges for photo copying something you find- maybe 10 cents(?). If you need more info- please feel free to pm me- I'll be happy to help if I can.

 

[northern michigan]

What's an LDS?

 

[SnowAngel]

LDS is Latter Day Saints. LDS are very into family history. One of my dh's ancestors were part of the orginal LDS but you do not have to be part of their religion to use their resources. Most cities/towns have LDS genealogy areas free to use for anyone. A couple years ago, dh, mom and I went to the huge LDS genealogy library in Salt Lake City. We are not LDS and they were still very friendly. The library there is HUGE and lots of info.. 2 stories plus basement.. found wonderful info.
Their online genealogy site
http://www.familysearch.org/

 

[karebear1]

Sorry- LDS is an abbreviation for Latter Day Saint- but the church's full name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. If you go to the yellow pages and look under churches, you'll find a list of different church buildings. Look to see if one says Stake Center or Genealogy Library. If there's a phone number for the Genealogy Library- call them and make arrangements to use it. If there is no phone number for a Genealogy Library, call the "Stake" number and ask them if they have a Genealogical Library that is open to the public. If, for some reason, there is no phone number for either in your phone book, look and see if there is a phone number for the missionaries and call and ask them or find someone that you know is LDS (Mormon) and ask them if they know of a local church Genealogical Library. They'll be happy to point you in the right direction.

 

[caitycaity]

Ancestry is well worth the money for their Census search capability.

i could not agree more. it has been so helpful to me, and you can print out copies of the actual scanned census image. family members love to see that!

as for the ellis island records - good luck. i had been searching their records for almost an entire year before i just recently found 2 of the 3 records i was looking for. i'm still looking for that 3rd one. the records i was looking for were from the lithuanian side of my family; their last name was kupstis. I have seen it spelled: kupstis, kupstas, rupstis, kopesie, kupsas, and kupstene. another side of the family (russian) has had their name spelled: diadiun, didun, diadun, and diaduim.

even among my english descended relatives, one side of the famil spells their name rawley and another side spells it rowley. this distinction happened as late as the 1930's and no one knows why! in some censuses they are listed as rawleigh!

genealogy can be difficult but i find it very addicting. good luck in your search!

 

[G&J's Mom]

Guess I am going to have to give Ancestry. com a try again. I am sure it has evolved alot more since I used it so long ago. I agree about Rootsweb. Very helpful. Forgot about that one.

I understand LDS libraries have extensive immigration ships logs. Is this really the case? We have a local branch in town and I thought I would go take a peek.

caitycaity - where or how did you obtain Ellis Island records? Obtaining these records have been a huge road block for me.

Denise

 

[karebear1]

Denise- if the LDS church you have around you is a branch they may not have a genealogy library- I'd suggest you call first so you don't waste your time. If they don't have a library there ask where the closest one is- it can't be too far. They wouldn't have the actual records there, but would have access to getting them for you I'm sure. Call on Sunday morning for info or on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening- there should be someone there that can lead you in the right direction. We use to live in Atlanta (actually Jonesboro) years ago and that is where I did some real major research. They ( the Fed. government) have a huge library there that stores the census etc. Can't remember exactly where it is, but I can look on my old records if you would like me to. It was a great place.

 

[SnowAngel]

http://www.ellisislandrecords.org/

If the LDS place near you doesn't have what you want, they can order it from the main library. I've done this on several census. They order it, comes in a couple weeks later, you get to look at it for couple weeks and then the send the info back.

 

[caitycaity]

caitycaity - where or how did you obtain Ellis Island records? Obtaining these records have been a huge road block for me.

snow angel just posted the link. http://www.ellisislandrecords.org/

it's really cool because you can see the actual scan of the record.

i use this: http://www2.jewishgen.org/databases/EIDB/ellis.html

i have found it to be a much more powerful search engine than the one the ellis island site uses. it searches the ellis island records and gives you access to the same documents as ellisislandrecords.org - just in a more efficient way (imho).

 

[Mary Ellen]

The Family History Centers I mentioned in my first post are part of the LDS church. I was VERY apprehensive on my first visit out of concern about prostltizing. I learned that they are so interested in the 'public' doing genealogy, it is NOT allowed.

Anyone can find their nearest FHC through the familysearch.org web site previously mentioned. Doing a search for the OP's home city I found:
Traverse City Michigan
3746 Veterans Drive
Traverse City, Grand Traverse/Leelanau County, Michigan
Phone: 213-947-4646
Hours: T 1pm-9pm; W 10am-3pm; Th 10am-2pm, 6pm-9pm.

I have a link to the catalog in an earlier post. Unless a film or microfiche says "no circulation to FHC", they can be viewed at your local FHC. Films are $3.25 for about 5 weeks, fiche are 15¢ a sheet and will stay there indefinately. I was able to get one of my DH's German lines back to the 1590s just from LDS films of the church records of his ancestral villages.

BTW - The LDS has quite a bit of Michigan films. It is my MIL's home state. I was able to get death certificates from films - rather than pay a LOT more and wait a LONG time to get them from the State.

About Ellis Island, please remember that only a small portion of immigrants entered the US through there. It wasn't open THAT long - from Jan 1, 1892 - June 13, 1897 and then again from Dec 17, 1900 - Dec 31, 1924. So, if they didn't enter during those 29 years, no way could they have come through Ellis Island. Other major ports for immigrants included Boston, Baltimore, Charleston, Galveston, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. Some entered through Canada.

Good Luck and enjoy! - It's a great hobby.

 

[Crankyshank]

You guys have been unbelievably helpful
I do have a question.

Both sides of my family are lacking in information on their personal history beyond Great-Grandparents. I think that's why myself, my father, and his siblings are all very interested in history.
Anyhow, I have decided where to begin, but I have to start very early on. I'm embarrassed to say no one can tell me much about when my Great-Grandparents were married, where, and their parents' information. Where should I start- the library seems to have only stuff that dates further back. Should I start with the census or their birth certificates?

 

[caitycaity]

Should I start with the census or their birth certificates?

i would try the census, if you have some general information about them. many places did not require birth certificates til the 1900's. and requesting bc's can take a long time. maybe start with the census but also request a bc search.

 

[Crankyshank]

Thanks They were born in 1907 and 1908, so I know that at least.
It's mortifying how little my family knows about where we came from

 

[mtblujeans]

Great thread!!

 

[Mary Ellen]

The 1930 census has been 'every-name' indexed on Ancestry.com (most other years are 'head of the house' only). They may or may not be married yet. If you know your g-grandmother's maiden name try it too. Since you are just starting, and it is a subscription service, try your local library (many, but not all subscribe) or a LDS Family History Center for free access. I've found my subscription pays for itself by not having to rent a TON of census films - and I love the instant gratification.

After 1930, try 1920, then 1910, and on back to 1900 (month and year of birth are included on this one). 1890 basically burned, so it's not available. 1880 is available free through familysearch.org (another 'every name' index). Prior to 1850 the census only has the head of the house and a 'head count' of others in the household (by sex and age groups).

If you have an idea of where/when your g-grandparents died you can also look for their obits. If you aren't in the local area where their deaths occurred, you may be able to get microfilm of newspapers that would have carried any obits via inter-library loan.

One thing about genealogy - there isn't ONE set way to do things.