County Grenealogy

Time for a little genealogy humor.




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New Hampshire Genealogy Links

Many New Hampshire Libraries and Historical Societies provide links to both local and general links of valuable to family tree researchers.

I'm providing a few of them here.

Lane Memorial Library: Hampton NH Area Genealogy

New Hampshire State Library: Genealogy and NH History

Conway Public Library

New England Ancestors

Manchester Historic Association

It's Spring! Rejuvenate Your Research

Is your genealogical research becoming stale? Are you hitting the same brick walls?

With Spring quickly approaching it is time to jump-start your genealogical research. How can you do this?

1. Begin with your computer. Clean out and combine like files relating to your genealogy in appropriately named folders. Make sure any scanned photographs are clearly identified.

2. Go back to some of the message boards you posted long ago, and re-post your request. Make sure the SUBJECT LINE of your post is succinct but includes at least a name/surname, location and approximate date. Include enough information in your post and make sure readers have a way to contact you.

3. Revisit HeritageQuest, GoogleBooks, Google, etc. These are free (HeritageQuest is free at least through your local library). Many new records and resources are popping up on the Internet. A lot can change even in 6 months.

4. Create binders and organize your paperwork. No more piles against the wall!

5. Back up your computer (I mean it!) With the ease of "memory sticks" available there is no reason to lose your data when your computer crashes.

Quick And Easy Research

Do you have a genealogical brick wall? A Smith or Jones line that drives you crazy?

If you haven't done ALL of the following yet, do it today.

1. Search for your individual on Google Books. If you find them listed in a book that is not free or viewable, copy down the information and BORROW the book through your local library (interlibrary loan system).


2. Post (even if you've done it before) a QUERY or QUESTION about your family or surname on Rootsweb message boards, both under the correct SURNAME, and the LOCATION where they lived. Make the subject line the entire name of the person, plus their birth/death dates and where they primarily lived. Include as much as you know in the body of your request. 99% of those that are left unanswered were just too vague.

3. Contact both the local and the county historical society for information about your problem person or family. Many times researchers will donate a copy of their research to a local historical society. Just remember to donate a copy of YOUR work to them if you get a breakthrough.

4. Contact both the local and county library for the same information found in #3. Libraries are often the most under-utilized sources for genealogical material.

5. Visit your local library. Most libraries now routinely carry both HeritageQuest AND Ancestry.com as free services to their library patrons.