Historical Records

City directories are an integral tool in genealogical resources in locating individuals and businesses at specific time periods, and gleaning other details that may point you to other evidence. They can help you determine the date of arrival or departure, residence, occupation, and more. They are great substitutes for census records and for the in-between years. Introduction to City Directories tells you what you can find, places you can find them, and how to obtain the most information from them. You’ll also see images of many types of city directory pages so that you will know what they can tell you. This webinar was first released on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.

This database of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) contains WWI and WWII military burials world-wide. Not all burials in CWGC cemeteries are military. Burials include civilians, diplomats, medical personnel, and volunteer aid workers, including women. Most CWGC cemeteries have burials of the unknown as well as Monuments listing the Missing. Some military burials in civilian cemeteries are in this database. Photos of headstones and lists of missing in several CWGC cemeteries in Italy are included. Advises on best utilization of CWGC search engines with different approaches. Information on identification of unknown burials, research possibilities, and CWGC outreach programs are available on the website.

The National Records Personnel Center in St. Louis has many records pertinent to your soldier’s service. OMPFs, Official Military Personnel Files, monthly regimental rolls, hospital records, military court-martials and graves registration service files all offer clues into your veteran’s military experience. NPRC also houses civilian and government employment files as well. Was your grandfather in the Civilian Conservation Corps? Was your mother Postmaster? These records are available as well! Tina will describe the types of information to be found in these records and how you can access them in person.

Imagine uncovering the stories hidden in your ancestors’ land entry papers from the Homestead Act of 1862 and later homestead laws. The material in these files will add richness to your family history. Join us as we discover potential homesteading ancestors, explore the journey of making a claim, understand the different homestead laws, and learn to access these records. Each document holds clues waiting to unfold the story of your family’s past.

The record types most frequently used by genealogists are birth, marriage, and death records, along with census population schedules, obituaries, and tombstones. When you are confronted with a brick wall, literally hundreds of alternative documents and other evidence might be used to supplement your research and help place your ancestors in context. Alternate Records You May Not Have Considered explores some materials that most genealogists skip or fail to examine. These may provide new clues and insights to open new research doors and help break down brick walls. This webinar was first released 30 January 2020 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.

Participation in the local militia units was an important part in the life of your ancestors. The militia provided for the common defense, and brought families together in times of crisis. Numerous armed conflicts beginning with the Pequot War of 1636 to Lord Dunmore’s War of 1774 on the eve of the Revolutionary War will be discussed. Records examined will include muster rolls, militia lists, pay records, histories, manuscripts and other related materials.

Using primary and secondary sources this case study examines the military service of Private Gandolfo Scarnici who served in the 55th United States Infantry enlisting in 1917 then serving overseas in France with the American Expeditionary Forces from 1918-1919 during World War I.

Take the opportunity to ask professional genealogist and publisher, Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA a question about the U.S. Revolutionary War. See if his genealogical and historical knowledge about the United States and military research can help you solve that brick wall problem you can’t seem to get your hands around.

Learn how to use the free Google Earth Web platform to create and share engaging, interactive, multimedia stories that follow the footsteps of your ancestors. Although both the web and desktop versions have Google Earth in their name, they are very different. Learn how to navigate the platform interface, add multimedia content to your digital story, share your digital family history story, and preserve it. We will also discuss best practices for planning your Google Earth Web story. No coding skills needed!