HeritageQuest Online HeritageQuest Online & Ancestry Library & Ancestry Library

EditionEdition

C. Erik Wilkinson, MLSC. Erik Wilkinson, MLS

What is HeritageQuest OnlineWhat is HeritageQuest Online

►An online genealogy & local history An online genealogy & local history database designed specifically for database designed specifically for patrons in public libraries.patrons in public libraries.

►One of several family history One of several family history databases provided to Texas residents databases provided to Texas residents through the TexShare Database through the TexShare Database program and is administered by the program and is administered by the Texas State Library.Texas State Library.

What’s included in HQ What’s included in HQ Online?Online?

►Census: U.S. Federal Census 1790-1930Census: U.S. Federal Census 1790-1930►Books: Digitized versions of UMI Books: Digitized versions of UMI

microfilm collection consisting of over microfilm collection consisting of over 25,000 family & local histories25,000 family & local histories

►PERSI: The Periodical Source Index (Allen PERSI: The Periodical Source Index (Allen County Public Library Foundation, IN)County Public Library Foundation, IN)

►Rev. War Era Pension & Bounty Land Rev. War Era Pension & Bounty Land Warrant Application FilesWarrant Application Files

►Freedman’s Bank RegistersFreedman’s Bank Registers

Census: 72-Year Access Census: 72-Year Access RestrictionsRestrictions

►HQ Online contains digitized images of HQ Online contains digitized images of each decennial census from 1790-each decennial census from 1790-1930. census records from more 1930. census records from more recent censuses are not yet available recent censuses are not yet available due to 72-year access restrictions.due to 72-year access restrictions.

Freedman’s Bank RecordsFreedman’s Bank Records

►A bank founded after the Civil War to A bank founded after the Civil War to serve ex-slaves and other African-serve ex-slaves and other African-Americans.Americans.

►Searchable on HeritageQuestSearchable on HeritageQuest

Census: Search vs. BrowseCensus: Search vs. Browse

►HQ Online contains name indexes for HQ Online contains name indexes for only 12 of the decennial censuses. only 12 of the decennial censuses. This is significant because you can This is significant because you can only search on census years that have only search on census years that have been indexed; to locate information in been indexed; to locate information in years that have not been indexed you years that have not been indexed you have to use browse functionality.have to use browse functionality.

►Note: All of the 1930 census is Note: All of the 1930 census is available to search.available to search.

Census: Head of HouseholdCensus: Head of Household

►When you search for names in HQ When you search for names in HQ Online’s Census, you can only search Online’s Census, you can only search for head-of-household names. The for head-of-household names. The census enumerator would list “head of census enumerator would list “head of household” the person who was household” the person who was responsible for the care of the home responsible for the care of the home and/or family. This could be a and/or family. This could be a husband, widow w/ children, person husband, widow w/ children, person living alone, etc.living alone, etc.

1890 Census1890 Census

►Over 99% of the 1890 census were Over 99% of the 1890 census were destroyed in a fire.destroyed in a fire.

►Of the 62.9 million persons enumerated Of the 62.9 million persons enumerated in 1890, a total of 6,160 names could be in 1890, a total of 6,160 names could be legibly extracted. They were from the legibly extracted. They were from the States of: Alabama, DC, Georgia, Illinois, States of: Alabama, DC, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota & TexasCarolina, Ohio, South Dakota & Texas

Names to SearchNames to Search

►Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln►Daniel BooneDaniel Boone►Student Shout-OutStudent Shout-Out

Search ExampleSearch Example

Select the 1860 census.

Click on 2nd blue link, “lincoln”

Ancestry Library EditionAncestry Library Edition

►Library version of Ancestry.comLibrary version of Ancestry.com►Offers CensusOffers Census►Birth, marriage & death recordsBirth, marriage & death records►Myriad databases, such as the Social Myriad databases, such as the Social

Security Death IndexSecurity Death Index►Charts & Forms for past censuses Charts & Forms for past censuses

(1850: the first year everyone was (1850: the first year everyone was enumerated).enumerated).

Ancestry Census SearchAncestry Census Search

►Famous people (old Americans).Famous people (old Americans).►Exact vs. Non-Exact Exact vs. Non-Exact

matches/searchingmatches/searching►Browsing & GopheringBrowsing & Gophering

Results page is very well organized, with tabs, links & lists.

Java based page opens more info when you mouse over a link.

Birth, Marriage & Death Birth, Marriage & Death RecordsRecords

►Birth searchBirth search►Marriage searchMarriage search►Death searchDeath search►SSDI or Social Security Death IndexSSDI or Social Security Death Index

The SSDI is useful because it gives the date that the person died as well as their general birth location and the specific area where they were pronounced dead.

Various DatabasesVarious Databases

►Overview of recent databasesOverview of recent databases►Some are in foreign languagesSome are in foreign languages►Look for the databases link on the Look for the databases link on the

bottom left of the home page.bottom left of the home page.

Census FormsCensus Forms

►Ancestry LE provides blank census Ancestry LE provides blank census forms that give the user an idea of forms that give the user an idea of what information is gathered.what information is gathered.

►1880 census form (see example)1880 census form (see example)

““Have fun, make mistakes!”Have fun, make mistakes!”

►Be sure to explore all aspects of both Be sure to explore all aspects of both Heritage Quest and Ancestry LE.Heritage Quest and Ancestry LE.

►Genealogy is one of the most Genealogy is one of the most rewarding hobbies. Try it today, not rewarding hobbies. Try it today, not just with computers, but by talking to just with computers, but by talking to your relatives.your relatives.

►Questions? Just ask Erik!Questions? Just ask Erik!