Iowa Search Strategies: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:50, 14 October 2010

This set of Wiki pages describes major sources of information about families from Iowa. As you read the Iowa Wiki pages, also study the United States Wiki pages, which will help you understand terminology and the contents and uses of genealogical records.

Helps for Using These Wiki Pages[edit | edit source]

Before using these Iowa Wiki pages, you need to decide what you would like to learn about one of your ancestors, such as a birth date or a maiden name.

After you have decided what information you want to find, look at the [[Iowa Record Selection Table|Record Selection Table]. Column 1 lists the kinds of information you may need and columns 2 and 3 suggest the best types of records for finding that information.

There is an Iowa Wiki page for each type of record. These pages give more information about the records and how to find them. The pages are listed in alphabetical order in the Topic area.

Records of the Family History Library[edit | edit source]

Some of the sources described in the Iowa Wiki pages list the Family History Library’s book, microfilm, microfiche, and compact disc numbers. These are preceded by FHL, the abbreviation for Family History Library. These numbers may be used to locate materials in the Family History Library, and to order microfilm and microfiche at Family History Centers.

The computer Internet is growing in importance to genealogists. Sources found on the Internet are cited in these Wiki pages with blue links to each.

References to the Family History Library Catalog[edit | edit source]

The Family History Library Catalog is a listing of all the records available at the Family History Library. The catalog is available on the Internet, and at the Family History Library, and at each Family History Centers. Staff there can help you learn to use the catalog.

This set of Wiki pages gives instructions for finding information in the catalog. For example, on the page called “ Iowa Census,” you may find the following statement:

For more information about census records, look in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:

IOWA - CENSUS

IOWA, [COUNTY]- CENSUS

IOWA, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - CENSUS

This statement tells you to look in the catalog under:

Iowa, and then the subject CENSUS.
A county in Iowa, and then the subject CENSUS.
A town in a county in Iowa, and then the subject CENSUS.

These Wiki pages include many references to specific records. The references include call numbers listed in parentheses. The call number is used to find a record in the Family History Library (FHL).

For additional information on using the catalog, see Introduction to the Family History Library Catalog.

FamilySearch™[edit | edit source]

FamilySearch at Family History Centers. FamilySearch is a collection of computer files containing millions of names. FamilySearch is a good place to begin your family history research. Some of the records come from compiled sources, and some have been extracted from original sources. The Family History Library and many Family History Centers have computers with FamilySearch.

Family History Library and Family History Center computers with FamilySearch have access to the Internet, computer on-line services, networks, or bulletin boards. Those services are also available at many public libraries, college libraries, and private locations. Limited access to the Internet is available on a few computers in the Automated Resource Center in the Family History Library.

FamilySearch™ Internet Genealogy Service. The Internet site at www.familysearch.org allows you to preserve your genealogy, order Family History Library publications, learn research strategies, and look for information about your ancestors in the following resources:

Ancestral File, a file of over 35 million names organized into families and pedigrees.
International Genealogical Index, an index of over 600 million names extracted out of vital records primarily from the British Isles, North America, and northern Europe.
Family History Library Catalog, a description and classification of over 2 million microfilm reels, and hundreds of thousands of genealogical books. You can search the catalog by family name, locality, author, or book or film number.
FamilySearch Research Wiki, how-to advice by the genealogical community for the community.

Family History Library Catalog[edit | edit source]

The library’s records are listed in the Family History Library Catalog available at the library and at each Family History Center, and on the Internet at: www.familysearch.org/Search/searchcatalog.asp . To find a record in the Family History Library Catalog, look in the Place Search for:

The place where your ancestor lived:

UNITED STATES – CENSUS

Iowa – BIOGRAPHY

Iowa, RAMSEY – VITAL RECORDS

Iowa, HENNEPIN, MINNEAPOLIS – HISTORY

The record type you want, such as:

UNITED STATES – CENSUS

Iowa – BIOGRAPHY

Iowa, RAMSEY – VITAL RECORDS

Iowa, HENNEPIN, MINNEAPOLIS – HISTORY

The page titles in these Wiki pages match the names of record types (subject headings) used in the Family History Library Catalog.

WorldCat Links[edit | edit source]

The WorldCat, or WorldCatalog, is a listing of all the records available at thousands of repositories primarily in the United States and Canada. By clicking a WorldCat link you will open the Internet to the WorldCat description of that particular book. Part of the WorldCat book description includes a list of libraries near your home zip code with a copy of that book in their collection.

The WorldCat catalog network was formerly known as OCLC. The Family History Library is not part of the WorldCat network.

References to Wiki Other Pages[edit | edit source]

This set of Iowa Wiki pages refers to many other pages that may help you in your research. Their titles are in blue or purple.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-''[[United States]]  [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Iowa, United States Genealogy|Iowa]]  [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Iowa_Search_Strategies|Search Strategies]]''
+''[[United States]]&nbsp; [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]&nbsp; [[Iowa]]&nbsp; [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]&nbsp; [[Iowa_Search_Strategies|Search Strategies]]''
-This set of Wiki pages describes major sources of information about families from [[Iowa, United States Genealogy|Iowa]]. As you read the Iowa Wiki pages, also study the [[United States]] Wiki pages, which will help you understand terminology and the contents and uses of genealogical records.
+This set of Wiki pages describes major sources of information about families from [[Iowa]]. As you read the Iowa Wiki pages, also study the [[United States]] Wiki pages, which will help you understand terminology and the contents and uses of genealogical records.
-== Strategy for Using These Wiki Pages  ==
+=== Helps for Using These Wiki Pages  ===
-Before using these Iowa Wiki pages, you need to decide what you would like to learn about one of your ancestors, such as a birth date or a maiden name.
+Before using these&nbsp;Iowa Wiki pages, you need to decide what you would like to learn about one of your ancestors, such as a birth date or a maiden name.
-After you have decided what information you want to find, look at the [[Iowa Record Finder|Record Finder]]. Column 1 lists the kinds of information you may need and columns 2 and 3 suggest the best types of records for finding that information.
+After you have decided what information you want to find, look at the [[Iowa Record Selection Table|Record Selection Table]. Column 1 lists the kinds of information you may need and columns 2 and 3 suggest the best types of records for finding that information.
-There is a separate Iowa Wiki page for each type of record. These pages give more information about the records and how to find them. These pages are also listed in alphabetical order in the '''Iowa Topics''' area of the [[Iowa, United States Genealogy|main page for Iowa]].
+There is an Iowa Wiki page for each type of record. These pages give more information about the records and how to find them. The pages are listed in alphabetical order in the '''Topic''' area.
-=== Records Available from the FamilySearch Library  ===
+=== Records of the Family History Library  ===
-==== References to Using the FamilySearch Catalog  ====
+Some of the sources described in the Iowa Wiki pages list the Family History Library’s book, microfilm, microfiche, and compact disc numbers. These are preceded by ''FHL'', the abbreviation for [[Family History Library]]. These numbers may be used to locate materials in the Family History Library, and to order microfilm and microfiche at [[Finding a Family History Center|Family History Centers]].
-The [[Introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog|FamilySearch Catalog]], or FamilySearch Catalog, is a listing of all the records available at the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library]. The catalog is available on the Internet, and at the FamilySearch Library, and at each [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ FamilySearch Centers]. Staff there can help you learn to use the catalog.
+The computer Internet is growing in importance to genealogists. Sources found on the Internet are cited in these Wiki pages with blue links to each.
+==== References to the Family History Library Catalog  ====
+The [[Introduction to the Family History Library Catalog|Family History Library Catalog]] is a listing of all the records available at the [[Family History Library]]. The catalog is available on the Internet, and at the Family History Library, and at each [[Finding a Family History Center|Family History Centers]]. Staff there can help you learn to use the catalog.
 This set of Wiki pages gives instructions for finding information in the catalog. For example, on the page called “ Iowa Census,” you may find the following statement:
-For more information about census records, look in the ''Place Search'' of the FamilySearch Catalog under:
+For more information about census records, look in the ''Place Search'' of the Family History Library Catalog under:
 ::IOWA - CENSUS
@@ Line 29: / Line 33: @@
 :*Iowa, and then the subject CENSUS.
 :*A county in Iowa, and then the subject CENSUS.
-:*A town in a county in Iowa, and then the subject CENSUS.<br><br>
+:*A town in a county in Iowa, and then the subject CENSUS.
+These Wiki pages include many references to specific records. The references include call numbers listed in parentheses. The call number is used to find a record in the [[Family History Library]] (FHL).
+For additional information on using the catalog, see [[Introduction to the Family History Library Catalog]].
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+==== FamilySearch™  ====
+'''''FamilySearch at Family History Centers'''''. FamilySearch is a collection of computer files containing millions of names. FamilySearch is a good place to begin your family history research. Some of the records come from compiled sources, and some have been extracted from original sources. The [[Family History Library]] and many [[Finding a Family History Center|Family History Centers]] have computers with FamilySearch.
+Family History Library and Family History Center computers with FamilySearch have access to the Internet, computer on-line services, networks, or bulletin boards. Those services are also available at many public libraries, college libraries, and private locations. Limited access to the Internet is available on a few computers in the Automated Resource Center in the Family History Library.
+'''''FamilySearch™ Internet Genealogy Service'''''. The Internet site at www.familysearch.org allows you to preserve your genealogy, order Family History Library publications, learn research strategies, and look for information about your ancestors in the following resources:
-For additional information on using the catalog, see [[Introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog]].
+*[[Ancestral File|''Ancestral File'']], a file of over 35 million names organized into families and pedigrees.
+*[[International Genealogical Index|''International Genealogical Index'']], an index of over 600 million names extracted out of vital records primarily from the British Isles, North America, and northern Europe.
+*[[Introduction to the Family History Library Catalog|''Family History Library Catalog'']], a description and classification of over 2 million microfilm reels, and hundreds of thousands of genealogical books. You can search the catalog by family name, locality, author, or book or film number.
+*''FamilySearch Research Wiki'', how-to advice by the genealogical community for the community.
-==== FS Library Call Numbers  ====
+==== Family History Library Catalog  ====
-Some of the sources described in the Iowa Wiki pages list the FamilySearch Library’s book, microfilm, microfiche, and compact disc numbers in parenthesis. These are preceded by '''''FHL''''', the abbreviation for [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library]. These numbers may be used to locate materials in the FamilySearch Library.
+The library’s records are listed in the [[Introduction to the Family History Library Catalog|Family History Library Catalog]] available at the library and at each Family History Center, and on the Internet at: www.familysearch.org/Search/searchcatalog.asp . To find a record in the Family History Library Catalog, look in the ''Place Search'' for:
-=== Book Copies at Other Repositories  ===
+:*The ''place'' where your ancestor lived:
+::'''UNITED STATES''' – CENSUS
+::'''Iowa''' – BIOGRAPHY
+::'''Iowa, RAMSEY''' – VITAL RECORDS
+::'''Iowa, HENNEPIN, MINNEAPOLIS''' – HISTORY
-The WorldCat, or WorldCatalog, is a listing of all the records available at thousands of repositories primarily in the United States and Canada. By clicking a WorldCat link you will open the Internet to the WorldCat description of that particular book. Part of the WorldCat book description includes a list of libraries nearest your home zip code with a copy of that book in their collection.
+:*The ''record type'' you want, such as:
+::UNITED STATES – '''CENSUS'''
+::Iowa – '''BIOGRAPHY'''
+::Iowa, RAMSEY – '''VITAL RECORDS'''
+::Iowa, HENNEPIN, MINNEAPOLIS – '''HISTORY'''
-The WorldCat catalog network was formerly known as OCLC. The [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library] is ''not '' part of the WorldCat network.
+The page titles in these Wiki pages match the names of record types (subject headings) used in the Family History Library Catalog.
-=== References to Other Wiki Pages or Internet Sites  ===
+=== WorldCat Links  ===
-This set of Iowa Wiki pages refers to many other Wiki pages or Internet sites that may help you in your research. Their titles are in blue or purple.
+The WorldCat, or WorldCatalog, is a listing of all the records available at thousands of repositories primarily in the United States and Canada. By clicking a WorldCat link you will open the Internet to the WorldCat description of that particular book. Part of the WorldCat book description includes a list of libraries near your home zip code with a copy of that book in their collection.
-== Use Large Databases Early in Your Research  ==
+The WorldCat catalog network was formerly known as OCLC. The [[Family History Library]] is ''not'' part of the WorldCat network.
-An important starting strategy is to search large Internet databases for information about a selected ancestor. For example, search databases listed in [[Major Databases for Beginning United States Research]].
+=== References to Wiki Other Pages  ===
+This set of Iowa Wiki pages refers to many other pages that may help you in your research. Their titles are in blue or purple.
+{{Iowa|Iowa}}
-[[Category:Iowa Research Strategies]]
+[[Category:Iowa|Search Strategies]]