From the Heartland – Utilizing Online Resources in Midwest Research

Learn tips and tricks for getting the most out of your visit, whether long-distance or on site. Come see some of the gems already gleaned from the vast resources of this amazing Illinois asset.

Missouri has been a unique state. Its numerous archives and repositories offer a wealth of information online and in person.

Michigan is a state of many people: Native Americans, fur traders, French explorers, British military, and then settlers from all over the world including many from Canada and the Northeast U.S. The records and indexes are amazing as are the libraries, historical societies, archives, universities that are filled with resources. Online indexes and record images add to the dream. Learn about the people, resources, businesses, farms, military, and vital records.

When we think of settling the West, our minds will often turn to the broad expanses of the American West that conjures up scenes of broad prairies and herds of buffalo and antelope. Such was not the case in the First American West. We also may think of the Canadian provinces of the same name. After the signing of the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, Britain ceded land that would eventually comprise the Northwest Territory. Just five years later, the first settlers would leave their homes in New England and begin their journey to the “Territory Northwest of the River Ohio”, and establish their first city – Marietta. Eventually the states of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota would be included.

If your ancestor showed up in Missouri prior to the Civil War, you may be wondering where he (or she) came from. I'll show you the clues to their origins, why they came to Missouri, and how they got there.

Note: This is not geared toward LDS members. Ohio was the first gathering place of the LDS Church. Eventually, those who joined with the its membership eventually found themselves displaced into Missouri and Illinois before their trek to Utah.

Many Midwestern and Plains states have superb state census records. Learn about the indexes, the many personal details these censuses include, locating the censuses, and alternate sources. The lecture includes many specific examples from these enumerations, provides an overview of state censuses for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri�

The northeastern lands of Ohio are aptly named “The Firelands”, and “The Western Reserve”. How did they come to be called that? And, what connection do they have to the northeastern states? “Ohio fever” brought a lot of settlers to the state following the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. A section…

The resources for tracing Minnesota ancestry are plentiful and the number of indexes, digitized records, and microform editions are growing constantly. The plentiful published indexes, guides, and histories are also important to your research. Many of these are accessible no matter where you live. Many Minnesota related records and publications…