Calling All Genealogists

As if we haven’t had enough technological change this month here at the library we went and added a new database to our offerings. Starting now you can use HeritageQuest Online, an Internet based genealogical treasure. This is a database for which I have had specific requests and not surprisingly has already generated much excitement.

HeritageQuest combines searchable images of U.S. federal census records with digitized books containing family and local histories from around the country. This online resource is an invaluable resource used for tracing family histories and researching American culture whether or not you are a hobbyist or a professional. According to one recent survey 73% of Americans want to learn more about their family heritage, and this database will help you do just that.

With U.S. federal census records, newspapers, digitized books of family and local histories HeritageQuest offers coverage dating back to the late 1700s. In their words:

"Researchers can use HeritageQuest Online to find their ancestors, trace their paths across America, and learn what life was like in the areas where they settled.

HeritageQuest includes all of the images, and indexing, from the 1790 - 1930 U.S. federal censuses. It offers more than 20,000 book titles, including nearly 8,000 family histories and over 12,000 local histories. Additionally, there are more than 250 primary-source documents such as tax lists, city directories, probate records, and more.

To use HeritageQuest simply come in the library and we will help get your started on one of our computers. Or you can access HeritageQuest from any computer with Internet access by going to our web site at www.sjlib.org and clicking Online Databases on the left hand side of the page. Next click HeritageQuest Online from the list of databases. At this point you will be required to enter your last name and the last 7-digits of your library card. And you’re in. We have print copies of searching tips here in the library upon request.

And don’t forget we also have a selection of print resources to help you in your research of family histories with such titles as Cindi’s List, The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy, and Genealogy for the First Time.

Have fun using this powerful resource! We are proud to provide this for our community.

Laura Tretter, Director
San Juan Island Library
360.378.2798
ltretter@sjlib.org

news @sanjuanislander.com

ABOUT US | ADVERTISING INFO | CONTACT INFORMATION |

Related pages

Previous columns

Calling All Genealogists