m (Text replacement - "https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog " to "https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog ") |
m (Text replacement - "[fF]amily([\s_])[hH]istory[\s_]([lL])ibrary" to "FamilySearch$1$2ibrary") |
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*'''''Internet.''''' The Internet has genealogical indexes, databases, document and book images and search engines to help find information about ancestors. Most sites are free but some sites require a subscription. | *'''''Internet.''''' The Internet has genealogical indexes, databases, document and book images and search engines to help find information about ancestors. Most sites are free but some sites require a subscription. | ||
*''''' | *'''''FamilySearch Library.''''' You are welcome to visit and use the records at the FamilySearch Library. The library is open to the public. There are no fees for using the records. | ||
*'''''Family History Centers.''''' Some family history centers have record on microform from the | *'''''Family History Centers.''''' Some family history centers have record on microform from the FamilySearch Library. Locate your nearest [https://familysearch.org/locations/ family history center] and call ahead to find record availability. | ||
*'''''Archives and local churches.''''' Most original documents are at federal, state, church, and local archives or in local parish offices. While the | *'''''Archives and local churches.''''' Most original documents are at federal, state, church, and local archives or in local parish offices. While the FamilySearch Library has many records on microfilm, additional records are available only at these archives. You can request searches in their records through correspondence or by visiting these offices. | ||
*'''''Libraries and interlibrary loan.''''' Public, academic, and other research libraries may have compiled records and some original records for tracing immigrant origins. Some libraries provide interlibrary loan services to borrow records from other libraries. In addition, many indexes and catalogs are available through local libraries. | *'''''Libraries and interlibrary loan.''''' Public, academic, and other research libraries may have compiled records and some original records for tracing immigrant origins. Some libraries provide interlibrary loan services to borrow records from other libraries. In addition, many indexes and catalogs are available through local libraries. | ||
*'''''Professional researchers.''''' You can hire a professional researcher to search the records for you. Researchers in the country of origin may keep lists of emigrants compiled from various sources. For information on hiring a researcher, see [[Hiring a Professional Researcher|Hiring a Professional Researcher]]. When requesting services from libraries or professional researchers through correspondence, you will have more success if your letter is brief and specific. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope when writing within your own country. You usually need to send a check or money order in advance to pay for photocopy or search services. | *'''''Professional researchers.''''' You can hire a professional researcher to search the records for you. Researchers in the country of origin may keep lists of emigrants compiled from various sources. For information on hiring a researcher, see [[Hiring a Professional Researcher|Hiring a Professional Researcher]]. When requesting services from libraries or professional researchers through correspondence, you will have more success if your letter is brief and specific. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope when writing within your own country. You usually need to send a check or money order in advance to pay for photocopy or search services. | ||
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*'''''Special characters.''''' Many languages use special marks called ''diacritics'' that change the sound, and sometimes alphabetical order, of letters. These characters are sometimes eliminated or changed into another letter when written in another language. This is called "transliteration" and transliteration standards change over the years (e.g., '''''Beijing''''' was previously transliterated '''''Peking'''''). The German '''''ä''''' often, but not always, becomes '''''ae''''' in English. The Czech '''''š''''' may become '''''sh''''' or '''''sch'''''. The Dutch '''''ij''''' is usually translated as '''''y'''''. | *'''''Special characters.''''' Many languages use special marks called ''diacritics'' that change the sound, and sometimes alphabetical order, of letters. These characters are sometimes eliminated or changed into another letter when written in another language. This is called "transliteration" and transliteration standards change over the years (e.g., '''''Beijing''''' was previously transliterated '''''Peking'''''). The German '''''ä''''' often, but not always, becomes '''''ae''''' in English. The Czech '''''š''''' may become '''''sh''''' or '''''sch'''''. The Dutch '''''ij''''' is usually translated as '''''y'''''. | ||
Use comprehensive gazetteers to identify all possible towns that fit a spelling you have found. You should also be familiar with the spelling rules, phonetics, and handwriting of the immigrant's native language. The | Use comprehensive gazetteers to identify all possible towns that fit a spelling you have found. You should also be familiar with the spelling rules, phonetics, and handwriting of the immigrant's native language. The FamilySearch Library and family history centers have word lists that explain such information for some major languages. You may also want to ask for help from another researcher who knows the culture, language, and history. | ||
=== Proving You Found the Immigrant === | === Proving You Found the Immigrant === | ||
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