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Special Resources : Genealogy
Tracing Your Roots: Genealogical Resources
Let us suggest that you begin with the Des Moines Public Library's Tracing Your Roots: Genealogical Resources brochure. This brochure gives lots of local and Iowa resources, including library resources, newspapers, internet sites and local organizations.
Go to Tracing Your Roots brochure
Continue your researches with two powerful research databases provided by the Des Moines Public Library. You will need your library card and PIN to access these databases from home.
Digital Sanborn Maps for Iowa
The detailed property and land-use records that depict the everyday life in cities and towns of Iowa between 1883 and 1962.
Go to Digital Sanborn Maps for Iowa
Heritage Quest
A collection of materials for both genealogical hobbyists and professionals. Researchers can use it to find their ancestors, trace their paths across America, and learn what life was like in the areas where they settled. Use the Federal Census from 1790-1930, search from over 22,000 books, search an index to over 2 million genealogy articles, search Revolutionary War documents, search the Freedman's Bank for African-Americans, and the U.S. Serial Set.
Go to Heritage Quest
Recommended Links: Genealogy
Afrigeneas
Source for African American ancestry information. This site has links to cemetery, death, military, and census records and also provides several forums for discussions.
http://www.afrigeneas.com/sitemap.shtml
Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet
The ultimate guide to genealogy sites on the Internet: 170,000 links and counting, organized by category.
http://www.cyndislist.com
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Family Search
The Mormon church's family history centers are well-known resources for genealogists and its website is a must for any genealogy searcher. Free registration is necessary to access some, but not all, of the resources.
http://www.familysearch.org
Death Indexes and Records
Death indexes searchable by state, also links to some probate records, cemetery records, obituaries, and funeral home records.
http://www.deathindexes.com/
Genealogy.com Learning Center
Provides free instruction in starting research, developing research skills, researching with the Internet, ideas for sharing your family story, deciphering handwriting, census documents, and much more.
http://www.genealogy.com/genehelp.html
Iowa Genealogical Society
Great source of info about Iowa genealogy resources, plus a helpful glossary of outdated medical terminology.
http://www.iowagenealogy.org
JewishGen
Source for Jewish genealogy information including how-tos, resources to use, finding ancestral towns, and performing Holocaust research. JewishGen also hosts the Holocaust Global Registry, which serves as a source for anyone researching family or friends who survived the holocaust.
http://www.jewishgen.org/InfoFiles/faq.html
Genealogy Spot
An all-in-one portal of genealogy resources, including how-to information, articles, newsletters, and forms.
http://www.genealogyspot.com
Ellis Island Online
Passenger records and ship manifests for immigrants who came through Ellis Island and the Port of New York from 1892-1924. Free registration required.
http://www.ellisislandrecords.org
Social Security Death Index
From the records of the U. S. Social Security Administration.
http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com
Native American Indian Genealogy
This is a fairly comprehensive resource for Native American genealogy. It covers hundreds of tribes, their original and current locations, reservations, history, chiefs, census records, and how-tos.
http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/index.htm
The National Archives, Genealogists and Family Historians
Comprehensive source for all things genealogy including a beginner’s guide to genealogy research, forms, tools and aids. Information is also available regarding census, bankruptcy, immigration, and military records. Copies of records may be ordered online for a fee.
http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/
United States GenWeb Project
A massive volunteer effort to provide transcripts of genealogy records for no charge on the Internet.
http://www.usgenweb.net/
World GenWeb Project
Similar to the United States GenWeb Project, but worldwide in scope.
http://worldgenweb.org/
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