ur genealogy page, like the others on this site, is more a link to more expansive sources such as International Clan Centre’s Web site than a “how-to” guide. Many of us are pursuing genealogical research of our ancestors. In so doing we may run across information or find approaches which might benefit others.

An English teacher in my junior high school (yes, a long time ago, circa 1960) wouldn’t allow paperback books used for her assignments. Though a paperback copy of Kidnapped might contain identical text, she considered it inferior to the hard-bound version though the only real difference was the material composition the cover. This sort of thinking is being applied to the Internet. Many traditionalists still view internet resources as unworthy.

Like other media, its a tool to an end, not totally replacing other resources. And many of the same rules apply to digital as to printed media, including copyrights. Its just easier to publish and easier to access.

General resources

Possibly the largest general genealogy resource on the Web is “Cyndi’s List” at www.cyndislist.com. This is really a vast collection of links to more specific sites, 179,650 of them the last time I checked. They’re broken into five indexes and 150 categories. A few examples include 1334 links for Scotland alone (with more under “UK & Ireland”), military records, shipping and passenger lists of immigrants and “How to-Tutorials and Guides” for learning the process.

Online databases

Databases have family trees and link ancestors. They usually contain specific information on places and dates of births, deaths and marriages. Prominent among these is the Church of Latter-Day Saints sponsored “Familysearch” (http://www.familysearch.org.) The Mormons are a well-respected source of genealogical information. Searches correlate names, time period, country and state. Results can lead to family lines going back or forward for generations. Similar databases are available on the Web, most requiring membership or fees.

Census schedules

Taken every decade since 1790 (most of the 1890 census burned in a fire c. 1920) and available from 1790 to 1930, U.S. census data is an important source of information on ancestors. These are compiled by county. Much is now being made available on CD-ROM and a few counties’ census schedule are on the Internet in both keystroked and scans of the documents. While its much easier to search keystroked lists than microfilm of the original handwritten documents, the spelling of an often semi-legible handwritten name is open to interpretation. Ancestry.com is posting scans of the actual images online, but this requires signing up and paying a fee for access.

County genealogy societies

Much genealogy-related information is stored and research done on a county level. Volunteers compile information such as libraries of relevant books, census schedules, graveyard data, member submitted material and even write books on local topics related to genealogy. Members often swap information about shared ancestors, sharing information by mail or e-mail. Questions about ancestors are posted in newsletters or on Web site bulletin boards. I belong to two of these which have annual fees of $10 and $15. Newsletters are sent out regularly and volunteers will often research for small fees. If a genealogy society doesn’t have a Web site it can usually be found through county Web sites.

Family Web sites

Some extended families have privately developed and maintained sites, often with well researched and documented findings. One site contained hundreds of pages exhaustively documenting one of my family lines running from circa 1600 on the Isle of Man eight generations to the mid-19th century. Its a complation of 50 years research by numerous people.

Project MAOL

There is a database specific to MacMillans (of whatever spellings) and septs being compiled and maintained by the Clan Centre and contributed to by fellow clanspeople. This can be accessed from the “Project MAOL” link on the Clan Centre Web site.

Finding distant relatives

I've been fortunate to be able to take advantage of all these types of resources. And through some of them I've discovered distant relatives whose lines connect with mine up to six generations back. These people have provided a wealth of information I likely never have found on my own. They had already done most of the work for me.

Short of hiring a professional there's no effortless way to trace family roots. And one still needs to verify sources, whether from a digital resource or not. The preceding information is based on my experience. There are certainly many facets of online genealogy resources I’ve missed.

By Mike McMillen

Past Articles Immigration from the Highlands What's in, or not in, a name. Scots-Irish Immigration What's in your name.

Genealogy Resources

Project MAOL (MacMillan Ancestry On-Line) is a growing compilation of MacMillan genealogy information at the Clan Centre in Langbank, Scotland. MacMillans may submit their research and use it to trace their own ancestors.

Genealogy research is available from Graeme MacKenzie at the Highland Roots Research Service Web site.

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