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A CHECKLIST OF COMPILED SOURCES & WHERE TO FIND THEM©  
= '''A CHECKLIST OF COMPILED SOURCES & WHERE TO FIND THEM©'''  =


By Phillip Dunn, A.G.®  
By Phillip Dunn, A.G.®  


Introduction Regardless of your experience as a family history researcher in using primary and original records, and no matter how many years of experience in researching family trees, this important checklist of Compiled Sources will help you more comprehensively search for already compiled data on your family lines. Family history seekers are guaranteed a pleasant surprise as they strike ‘gold’ by discovering already completed research on at least one or some in-common ancestral family lineages. This list helps you to more meticulously search in secondary or what genealogists call compiled sources. It’s to help you identify, then search as many of today’s offerings for completed family genealogical (research) work which in today’s world has become a quantumly more complex and unwieldy task than ever, from library and archival catalogs and published inventories of collections, to online databases, family websites and surname-specialty sources! So, how does one keep up on all the new websites, and places to find critical sources?
=== Introduction ===


This ‘list’ of compiled sources is a good start. Collectively, it literally represents well over a billion ancestors with already compiled data about them!  
Regardless of your experience as a family history researcher in using primary and original records, and no matter how many years of experience in researching family trees, this important checklist of Compiled Sources will help you more comprehensively search for already compiled data on your family lines. Family history seekers are guaranteed a pleasant surprise as they strike ‘gold’ by discovering already completed research on at least one or some in-common ancestral family lineages. This list helps you to more meticulously search in secondary or what genealogists call compiled sources. It’s to help you identify, then search as many of today’s offerings for completed family genealogical (research) work which in today’s world has become a quantumly more complex and unwieldy task than ever, from library and archival catalogs and published inventories of collections, to online databases, family websites and surname-specialty sources! So, how does one keep up on all the new websites, and places to find critical sources?


The Preliminary Search Standard Your search starts with four fundamental steps: • Preliminary search in home sources • Preliminary search for compiled genealogies, biography, local history • Search in indexes (and in the original record) sources in the host country of settlement • Search in indexes (and in the original record) sources in the country of origin (works as a first-step IF surname is not too common)  
This ‘list’ of compiled sources is a good start. Collectively, it literally represents family history 'silos' containing billions of ancestral names with already compiled data about them! The searches in these sources should be performed before you begin actual genealogical researching in original record sources
 
=== The Preliminary Search Standard ===
 
Your search starts with four fundamental steps:  
 
• Preliminary search in home sources  
 
• Preliminary search for compiled genealogies, biography, local history  
 
• Search in indexes (and in the original record) sources in the host country of settlement  
 
• Search in indexes (and in the original record) sources in the country of origin (works as a first-step IF surname is not too common)  


Step 1. Thoroughly scour all home sources (including family history papers, copies of records, pictures, old letters (i.e. with an old address), family Bibles, journals/dairies, copies of vital record certificates and church records, memorabilia , interviews with extended family and close relatives’, even searching their home records, as well as interviewing old neighbors may prove very helpful! If we do not seek these and scan all to ascertain important details about our immigrant ancestors, we cannot honestly say that our (preliminary) search is completed.  
Step 1. Thoroughly scour all home sources (including family history papers, copies of records, pictures, old letters (i.e. with an old address), family Bibles, journals/dairies, copies of vital record certificates and church records, memorabilia , interviews with extended family and close relatives’, even searching their home records, as well as interviewing old neighbors may prove very helpful! If we do not seek these and scan all to ascertain important details about our immigrant ancestors, we cannot honestly say that our (preliminary) search is completed.  
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This ‘Second step’ is a worthy strategy in the research process which everyone ought to employ—but regrettably, it is also the most overlooked part of the research process, or is routinely discarded or not always considered standard procedure. Millions worldwide currently seek their ancestry; most of them have made some of their findings accessible in some form or manner. Why then would we tend to ignore these “findings”?  
This ‘Second step’ is a worthy strategy in the research process which everyone ought to employ—but regrettably, it is also the most overlooked part of the research process, or is routinely discarded or not always considered standard procedure. Millions worldwide currently seek their ancestry; most of them have made some of their findings accessible in some form or manner. Why then would we tend to ignore these “findings”?  


[Address “Reservations” of many researchers]. Why would any true genealogist or passionate family history buff discard the standard of seeking and searching in compiled sources outside the home, by narrowly considering that no one else is “qualified” to research worth diddly? For every thousand family history compilers who may generate fuzzy genealogical ‘data’, there are fifty or more very competent researchers and writers who have credibly researched and written professional-level family history compilations. It is especially for these latter "credible" compilations of competent researchers for which we all should seek and review—and thank.  
Why would any true genealogist or passionate family history buff discard the standard of seeking and searching in compiled sources outside the home, by narrowly considering that no one else is “qualified” to research? For every thousand family history compilers who may generate fuzzy genealogical ‘data’, there are many very competent researchers and writers who have credibly researched and written professional-level family history compilations. It is especially for these latter "credible" compilations of competent researchers for which we all should seek and review.
 
Here’s the ‘Second step’ every resaercher should employ in the research process—but it is also the most overlooked part of the research process and not always considered standard procedure.  


Here’s the ‘Second step’ everyone needs to employ in the research process—but it is also the most overlooked part of the research process and not always considered standard procedure.
== Find and Search “Compiled Sources”: A  List  ==


Search The “List of Compiled Sources” Here’s a list of places for where to find online, published and manuscript (compiled) sources on family surnames and lineages:  
Here’s a good a list of places for where to find online, published and manuscript (compiled) sources on family surnames and lineages:  


1. Online family genealogy sites, pedigrees, family history, etc. sites:  
=== 1. '''Online family genealogy sites, pedigrees, family history, etc. sites:'''  ===


<br> World catalog at http://worldcat.org/. In the '''Subject'' field enter the surname and “family” like this, ''Prescott Family''. This searches the catalogs and displays the results from thousands of especially U.S. libraries at once.  
<br> World catalog at http://worldcat.org/. In the '''Subject'' field enter the surname and “family” like this, ''Prescott Family''. This searches the catalogs and displays the results from thousands of especially U.S. libraries at once.  


 Periodical Source Index (PERSI) at http://persi.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/persi/search/people ''Peo ple Search''] allows searches for a family name in over a million article titles in genealogical periodicals. If the Article “Results List” is too long, redo the search but in the ''Keyword'' field add the two-letter postal abbreviation for the state where they lived.
 Periodical Source Index (PERSI) at [http://persi.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/persi/search/people http://persi.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/persi/search/people] ''People Search''] allows searches for a family name in over a million article titles in genealogical periodicals. If the Article “Results List” is too long, redo the search but in the ''Keyword'' field add the two-letter postal abbreviation for the state where they lived.  


 Google books at http://books.google.com - type in the surname and another key word such as the locality, i.e. town, or county or state/province  
 Google books at http://books.google.com - type in the surname and another key word such as the locality, i.e. town, or county or state/province  


 Internet Archive at http://www.internetarchives.org
 Internet Archive at [http://www.internetarchives.org http://www.internetarchives.org] &nbsp;


 FamilySearch at www.familysearch.org (follow prompt to the Family History Library Catalog; do a “Surname” search. This searches the world’s largest genealogical library for i.e. published works for any family surname as a main subject).  
 FamilySearch at www.familysearch.org (follow prompt to the Family History Library Catalog; do a “Surname” search. This searches the world’s largest genealogical library for i.e. published works for any family surname as a main subject).  


 Genforum www.genforum.com – has 170 million names; quarter of million a week  
 Genforum [http://www.genforum.com www.genforum.com] &nbsp;– has 170 million names; quarter of million a week  


 Ancestry.com – has about the largest database listings of compiled data on families  
 Ancestry.com – has about the largest database listings of compiled data on families  
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 Genealogy.com (FamilyFinder) - has enormous databases (300m entries) for families  
 Genealogy.com (FamilyFinder) - has enormous databases (300m entries) for families  


 Roots Surname Lists at http://rsl.rootsweb.ancestry.com/  
 Roots Surname Lists at [http://rsl.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ http://rsl.rootsweb.ancestry.com/] &nbsp;


 MyTrees at Kindredkonnections.com - a fabulous site for surnames  
 MyTrees at [http://www.Kindredkonnections.com www.Kindredkonnections.com] - a fabulous site for surnames  


 MyHeritage.com – has over 353 million names worldwide  
[http://www.MyHeritage.com www.MyHeritage.com]&nbsp; – has over 353 million names worldwide  


 GenesReunited.com - largest UK site with over 650 million UK names  
[http://www.GenesReunited.com www.GenesReunited.com]&nbsp;- the largest UK site with over 650 million UK names  


 Onegreatfamily.com - has over 130 million names worldwide  BYU’s Family History Archive at http://www.lib.byu.edu/fhc/index.php has scanned several thousands of free, published family histories all scanned, imaged and online
[http://www.Onegreatfamily.com www.Onegreatfamily.com]&nbsp; - has over 130 million names worldwide  


 Family History Library “Favorites” links may be viewed at www.fhlfavorites.com – see “England”; “General”; “Book search” or “England”; “General”&nbsp;;”Genealogy”
BYU’s Family History Archive at http://www.lib.byu.edu/fhc/index.php has scanned several thousands of free, published family histories all scanned, imaged and online


Guild of One Name Studies or www.one-name.org – with nearly 8,000 UK surnames registered
Family History Library “Favorites” links may be viewed at [http://www.fhlfavorites.info www.fhlfavorites.info] – see “England”; “General”; “Book search” or “England”; “General”&nbsp;;”Genealogy”


New Eng. Hist. &amp; Gen. Soc http://www.newenglandancestors.org/ -.  
Guild of One Name Studies or [http://www.one-name.org www.one-name.org]. – with nearly 8,000 UK surnames registered


 Allen Co. Indiana Public Library at http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/eresources.html
 New Eng. Hist. &amp; Gen. Soc [http://www.newenglandancestors.org/ http://www.newenglandancestors.org/]&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
 Allen Co. Indiana Public Library at [http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/eresources.html http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/eresources.html] &nbsp;


 Google on 1) family “surname”, 2) “family history” or “genealogy” and 3) “town” or “city” name  
 Google on 1) family “surname”, 2) “family history” or “genealogy” and 3) “town” or “city” name  


 Ancestor Hunt at www.ancestorhunt.com has numerous databases and links to databases for those seeking compiled data on families; a great website  
 Ancestor Hunt at [http://www.ancestorhunt.com www.ancestorhunt.com]&nbsp;has numerous databases and links to databases for those seeking compiled data on families; a great website  
 
 Daughters of The American Revolution (DAR) has one of the most exhaustive listings for family Bibles available (online) anywhere; visit periodically for new listings; at [http://www.dar.org/library/online_research.cfm http://www.dar.org/library/online_research.cfm] &nbsp;
 
 Roots UK at [http://www.rootsuk.org www.rootsuk.org] &nbsp;has census and family links


Daughters of The American Revolution (DAR) has one of the most exhaustive listings for family Bibles available (online) anywhere; visit periodically for new listings; at http://www.dar.org/library/online_research.cfm
World Vital Records at [http://www.worldvitalrecords.com www.worldvitalrecords.com]&nbsp;with over a billion record entries


Roots UK at www.rootsuk.org has census and family links
Distant Cousin at [http://www.distantcousin.com www.distantcousin.com] &nbsp;has a considerable database of linked families


World Vital Records at www.worldvitalrecords.com with over a billion record entries
Family History Library Favorites at [http://www.fhlfavorites.info www.fhlfavorites.info]; search name of British country, then “General” then under “Genealogy” and “Biography” etc.  


Distant Cousin at www.distantcousin.com has a considerable database of linked families
Ancestral Findings at [http://www.ancestralfindings.com www.ancestralfindings.com] &nbsp;has several offerings worth searching


Family History Library Favorites at www.fhlfavorites.info; search name of British country, then “General” then under “Genealogy” and “Biography” etc.
Foot Note at [http://www.footnote.com www.footnote.com]&nbsp;works with government agencies and may provide considerable amounts of data on families


Ancestral Findings at www.ancestralfindings.com has several offerings worth searching
Heritage Quest at [http://www.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/index http://www.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/index]; great and extensive listing of online resources for genealogists


Foot Note at www.footnote.com works with government agencies and may provide considerable amounts of data on families
Gen Serve at [http://www.genserv.com/ http://www.genserv.com/]&nbsp;is a large gateway website with 1000’s of website links to it


 Heritage Quest at http://www.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/index; great and extensive listing of online resources for genealogists
=== 2.'''Repositories and libraries'''  ===


 Gen Serve at http://www.genserv.com/ is a large gateway website with 1000’s of website links to it  
Search those libraries and prepositoriesholding the largest collections of compiled sources with online catalogs.&nbsp;Many of them&nbsp;especially&nbsp;hold published or manuscript family histories, genealogies, biographies and other compiled family and local histories (and many of which may have one and often more—internal alpha-arranged listing or index or related database[s]). If an publication&nbsp;is found, often you can order it through the Inter-Library Loan Service.


2. Repositories and libraries holding largest collections of compiled sources with online catalogs especially of which hold published or manuscript family histories, genealogies, biographies and other compiled family and local histories (and many of which may have one and often more—internal alpha-arranged listing or index or related database[s]); if an item is found, you can order it through the Inter-Library Loan Service.
==== <br>Repositories, Archives &amp; Libraries – A List  ====


<br>Repositories, Archives &amp; Libraries – A List Here’s a list of actual repositories and libraries possessing the best collections for genealogists:  
Here’s a list of actual repositories and libraries possessing the best collections for genealogists:  


 Family History Library (FHL) – collections  
 Family History Library (FHL) – collections  
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 Local Public Libraries—often have published and/or typescript family histories  
 Local Public Libraries—often have published and/or typescript family histories  


 Aim25 at: www.aim25.ac.uk (100 archives within 25 miles of London)  
 Aim25 at: [http://www.aim25.ac.uk www.aim25.ac.uk] &nbsp;(100 archives within 25 miles of London)  


  
  


General List of Repositories, Archives, Libraries and Societies  
==== General List of Repositories, Archives, Libraries and Societies ====


Compiled sources manuscripts or typescripts on family histories, genealogies, biographies, and pedigrees tend to find their way into any country around the world, which have been deposited, generally may be located at:  
Compiled sources manuscripts or typescripts on family histories, genealogies, biographies, and pedigrees tend to find their way into any country around the world, which have been deposited, generally may be located at:  
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3. Searching Compiled sources or INDEXES in the host country of settlement: Top Records to search for “place of origin” (Clue: search for indexes to each record-type, first; i.e. all 50 states now have online indexes to most of the following record-types!)  
=== 3. '''Searching Compiled sources or INDEXES in the host country of settlement'''  ===
 
Top Records to search for “place of origin” (Clue: search for indexes to each record-type, first; i.e. all 50 states now have online indexes to most of the following record-types!)  


 vital (esp. death &amp; marriage certificates; sometimes birth)  
 vital (esp. death &amp; marriage certificates; sometimes birth)  
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 interview family &amp; neighbors  
 interview family &amp; neighbors  
 funeral home records


 military  
 military  
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