Presentation given at Ontario Ancestors Conference, London, Ontario June 2019

1. Genealogical
Deeds Done Dirt
Cheap
No Apologies to AC/DC
Elise C. Cole
Local Collections Librarian
elise.cole@oakville.ca

2. Getting Started: Organizing Your Research
• Charts/Forms online (includes Census forms)
• https://www.familytreemagazine.com/freeforms/
• https://www.ancestry.ca/download/charts
• Software: Be sure to look for current reviews!
• Reviews for PC based Genealogy software:
https://www.toptenreviews.com/software/home/best-genealogy-software/
Reviews for Mac based Genealogy software: https://machow2.com/best-
family-tree-software-mac/
• Apps: https://www.toptenreviews.com/software/articles/top-10-apps-for-
genealogists/
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5. Organizing Your Research: Online Trees
•Online Trees: are available via many different sites. Here are just a few to
consider if you want to go that route:
•Guest account with Ancestry.ca: https://tinyurl.com/y6jlwgf4
•FamilySearch.org
•Trees can also be created with MyHeritage, AmericanAncestors, and
FindMyPast. Be sure to read the fine print and put a reminder in your
calendar to cancel before your trial expires if you do provide a credit card!
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6. The Big Sites: (beware subscription costs):
•Ancestry.ca - Many libraries offer free access to Ancestry Library Edition for
in-library use only
•Others to explore: MyHeritage, FindMyPast – both are available as
Library Editions, so be sure to check to see if your local public library
subscribes
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8. • GENUKI: https://www.genuki.org.uk/
•The US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA):
https://www.archives.gov/
•Library and Archives Canada (LAC): http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Pages/home.aspx
•Archives of Ontario: http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/
•Cyndi’s List: https://www.cyndislist.com/
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Other Sites (location/topic specific):

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13. Blogs and Websites
•Cyndi’s List – Blogs for Genealogy: https://www.cyndislist.com/blogs/
•Genealogy Blog Finder: http://blogfinder.genealogue.com/
•Abundant Genealogy: https://abundantgenealogy.com/
•Some of my favourite blogs:
•Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter: https://blog.eogn.com/
•Genealogy à la Carte: https://genealogyalacarte.ca/
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15. Feedly and RSS
•Feedly.com
•Free to use and works with PC, Mac, IOS, Apple and Android devices
•RSS: Really Simple Syndication
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17. Ontario Ancestors
The Ontario Genealogical Society
•Main site: https://ogs.on.ca/
•Resources: https://ogs.on.ca/resources/
•Databases like the Ontario Cemetery Index, TONI – The Ontario Name
Index, Independent Order of Oddfellows Insurance Papers, etc.
•Education: https://ogs.on.ca/education/
•Ontario Ancestors Blog, Webinars offered, and more!
•Branches/SIGs: https://ogs.on.ca/branchessigs/
•34 branches and Special Interest Groups, with links to their websites and
contact info.
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19. Materials in the Public Domain
•Project Gutenburg: https://www.gutenberg.org
•Google Books (Advanced Search):
https://books.google.ca/advanced_book_search
•Internet Archive: https://archive.org/
The Internet Archive offers much more than books
•FamilySearch Digital Library: https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/
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20. Facebook and Social Media
•Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
•Genealogy on Facebook List by Katherine R. Willson:
https://socialmediagenealogy.com/genealogy-on-facebook-list/
•Twitter: https://twitter.com/
•Look for hashtags (like #OntarioConf2019!) #genealogy #FamilyHistory
•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
•Follow genealogists, etc.
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21. Webinars and Lectures
•Global Genealogy: http://globalgenealogy.com/admin/events.htm
•Conference Keeper: https://conferencekeeper.org/
•Legacy Family Tree Webinars: https://familytreewebinars.com
•GeneaWebinars: http://blog.geneawebinars.com/
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22. Other Libraries and Archives
•University of Western Ontario Libraries: https://www.lib.uwo.ca/contact/index.html
Google search: ‘university western ontario genealogy’ led to
Databases M - Z - Western Libraries - Western University, which then led to
North American Immigrant Letters, Diaries and Oral Histories database.
•Stratford-Perth Archives: http://www.stratfordpertharchives.on.ca/
Family and Local History resources are generally not held at Stratford
Public Library and you will be redirected here
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23. FamilySearch.org
•Website is celebrating it’s 20th anniversary this year!
•Perhaps THE largest collection of genealogical records in the world, all for free
•Saw earlier that they hold a vast collection of digitized books online
•Family History Centres are located all over the world. Check the locator to find
one near you!
•Offer the ability to put your tree online, take it with you via their app, find
Relatives Near Me
•Some Family History Centres offer access to other databases like FindMyPast,
etc.
•Restricted Digitized Microfilm (over 350,000 images) are available through
Affiliate Libraries, like Toronto, Oakville and Burlington Public libraries.
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24. Your Local Public Library
•Check the library catalogue (Use the Advanced Search!)
•Look for access to subscription databases: Library Editions of Ancestry,
FindMyPast, MyHeritage, Fold3, Historical Newspapers
•What do they offer in the way of access to newspapers and images?
•Check for magazines, including those of the local genealogical and historical
societies
•Do they have eBooks? eMagazines?
•Interlibrary Loan
•Contact the librarian responsible for the collection and ask questions in
advance of a visit. Make an appointment with the librarian
•What programming do they offer?
•What online learning do they have? Lynda.com is a great way to learn how to
use Google Drive, etc.
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30. Thank you!
How to contact me:
• elise.cole@oakville.ca
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliseccole/
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