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This page, like the others on this site, is more a link to more expansive sources such as International Clan Centre’s website 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.
Possibly the largest general genealogy resource on the Web is Cyndi’s List. This is really a vast collection of links to more specific sites. They’re broken into five indexes and 150 categories. A few examples include links for Scotland (with more under “UK & Ireland”), military records, shipping and passenger lists of immigrants and “How to-Tutorials and Guides” for learning the process.
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.com. 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.
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.
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 website bulletin boards. Newsletters are sent out regularly and volunteers will often research for small fees. If a genealogy society doesn’t have a website it can usually be found through county websites.
Some extended families have privately developed and maintained sites, often with well researched and documented findings.
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 would never have found on my own. They had already done most of the work for me.
Possibly the largest general genealogy resource on the Web is Cyndi’s List. This is really a vast collection of links to more specific sites. They’re broken into five indexes and 150 categories. A few examples include links for Scotland (with more under “UK & Ireland”), military records, shipping and passenger lists of immigrants and “How to-Tutorials and Guides” for learning the process.
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.com. 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.
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.
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 website bulletin boards. Newsletters are sent out regularly and volunteers will often research for small fees. If a genealogy society doesn’t have a website it can usually be found through county websites.
Some extended families have privately developed and maintained sites, often with well researched and documented findings.
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 would 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. For more information the Clan Centre has a "Genealogy" page.
Clan MacMillan International CentreClan MacMillan International Forum
Project MAOL 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.
Genealogy research is available from Graeme MacKenzie at the Highland Roots Research Service.
The Clan MacMillan Y-DNA Test Project is a genetic approach to confirming one's genealogical connections. This is through FamilyTreeDNA and authorized by our Clan Chief. Link to a page for the MacMillan study. A related link is at Rootsweb.
Glengarry & Ottawa Valley Branch's genealogy resources page has numerous helpful links and suggestions.
Ancestral Scotland combines Scottish history, genealogy-related information, searchable databases and news.
Scots Origins features a number of free databases.
VisitScotland.com is "the official site of Scotland's National Tourism board."
Burke's Peerage & Gentry "The authentic guide to UK and Ireland's titled and untitled families."
The Island Register is the website of genealogy resources for Prince Edward Island.
The Canadian Archival Network, links to mostly provincial archive sites.
Canadian genealogy links by province.
Another compilation of Canadian genealogy links grouped by province, nilitary, organizations, etc.
Electric Scotland's Genealogy site
Scotlands People "The official government source of genealogical data for Scotland"
UK Genealogy, free UK-specific census and other data
Missouri State Archives: has searchable database and downloadable PDFs of scanned original documents.
Scottish-American Center is a new resource in Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Clan MacMillan Y-DNA Test Project is a genetic approach to confirming one's genealogical connections. This is through FamilyTreeDNA and authorized by our Clan Chief. Link to a page for the MacMillan study. Another link is at Rootsweb.
Spelling isn’t a conclusive factor in determining whether an ancestor is from the Highlands, Ulster, or emigrated from the Lowlands. For instance, Barry McMillen’s predecessor was Scots-Irish. Mine was Highland Scots, previously "McMullin." Our names have the same spelling.