JCPLA Staff Development Day Database Potpourri
August 3, 2007 Michelle Devins
HERITAGE QUEST ONLINE
HeritageQuest Online provides:
· searchable census records from 1790 to 1930
· full text of local and family history books
· citation searches for over 6,000 genealogy journals published since 1800
· Revolutionary War pension files
· Freedman’s Bank records
This impressive database is appropriate for beginning to professional genealogists, historians, students, or anyone interested in uncovering the past.
Search Census
Search or browse census records from 1790 to 1930. Each page of census data is displayed as a digitized image.
The top of the page shows the series, roll and page numbers of each entry. You can enlarge the image by using the
Zoom feature, or change the image from positive to negative. Click on the arrows next to Page to see the page of
census data before or after the page you are viewing. If your search returned multiple names, you can click on the
arrows next to Name to see the page displaying each name you retrieved. You can Print a census record or download
it to a disc by clicking on the appropriate commands.
Ø Three Search Options:
· Basic Search
o Surname
o Given Name
o Census Year
o State
· Advanced Search
o Surname
o Given Name
o Census Year
o State
o County (ability to Browse)
o Location (ability to Browse)
o Age, Sex, Race*
o Birthplace* (ability to Browse)
· Find By Page Number (Microfilm/fiche)
o Series (with examples)
o Roll (with examples)
o Page (with examples)
Search Books
HeritageQuest Online offers full-text searching of over 20,000 local and family history books and primary historical source
materials. Results will display full citations as well as digital images of relevant book pages, allowing you to search for
specific information or to browse within a book.
Ø Search Options include:
· People
o Person Names (with examples)
o Place Names (with examples)
o Keywords (with examples)
· Places
o Place Names (with examples)
o Person Names (with examples)
o Keywords (with examples)
· Publications with advanced searching
o Keyword(s)
o Title
o Author (ability to Browse)
o City of Publication
o Publisher (ability to Browse)
o Publication Date (Range)
o Subject
o Language
Search PERSI
The Periodical Source Index provides access to over 1.6 million citations from over 6,300 English language and French Canadian
genealogy and local history journals written since 1800. Researchers can browse journals or perform basic and advanced searches
based on keywords, people, places, and research methodologies.
Ø Search Options include:
· People Search for information about ancestors or relatives in periodical articles.
o Surname (Ex.Smith, smit*)
o Keywords (Ex. Irish, Civil War)
o Periodical (New England, Military)
· Places – (Basic or Advanced) Search for information about towns, cities or regions in periodical articles.
o Tabs for U.S., Canada, or Other Countries
o State/Province (Ex. New York, Florida)
o County (Ex. Davidson, New Hanover)
o Keywords (Ex. Quakers)
· How To’s – Search for articles on research methodologies.
o Keyword (Ex. German)
· Periodicals – Search periodicals by providing a title keyword (Ex. New England) or Browse periodicals in beginning with a specific letter
Search Freedman's Bank
This is HeritageQuest’s newest addition. Freedman’s Bank was founded after the Civil War to serve African Americans. From 1865 through
1870 a total of 33 branches were established, including an office that was opened in New York, N.Y., in 1866.On the 27 rolls of this microfilm publication are reproduced 55 volumes containing the signatures and personal identification data of depositors in 29 branch offices of the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company, 1865-74.
The information contained in many of the registers is as follows: account number, name of depositor, date of entry, place born, place brought
up, residence, age, complexion, name of employer or occupation, wife or husband, children, father, mother, brothers and sisters, remarks, and signature. The early books sometimes also contain the name of the former master or mistress and the name of the plantation. In many entries
not all the requested data are given. Copies of death certificates have been pinned to some of the entries. In each case the certificate has been filmed immediately after the page that shows the registration of the person's signature.
There is a link included to “Read more about the Freedman’s Bank.”
Ø Search Options include:
· People
o Surname (Ex.Smith, smit*)
o Given Name
o Bank Location (29 branches throughout the East and Southeast.
Search Revoluionary War
Extracted from the NARA Series M805 of selected records, HeritageQuest Online offers pension and bounty-land warrant application files for over 80,000 military, naval, and marine officers and enlisted men from the American Revolutionary War. Often there is information on the spouse and/or children if they received benefits on behalf of the veteran. The place of residence is also included in the record which allows greater flexibility for the researcher. These records can be searched or browsed for genealogical and historical research. There is a link included to “Read more about Rev War”.
Ø Search Options include:
· People
- Surname
- Given Name
- State (18 States include): Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia.
- Service Options include: 4 Regiment Artillery, Armand’s Corps, artillery Artificers, CAN (Canada), CONT (Continental Army), Engineers, FR (France), Foreign, General Hospital, GER (Germany), Hazen’s Regiment,
Ø The Results List takes users to a list of materials that meet their search criteria, ranked by relevance. User can customize the results, set number of citations per page, sort, modify the search, or move from the citation to full page image with one keystroke.
Ø The Notebook feature allows the user to take notes on census records, books, or citations then print, email, or download them during the current session.
Ø The Search History saves every search used during a session. Users can retrieve their previous search strategies for reuse or modifications.
Ø Clicking on Help will open a window on the current screen.
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