Links

Over the years, I've had lots of aspiring genealogists ask me where to start looking on line. I've compiled a list of a few resources here. Some of these are obscure links that I've had on my site since it began in 2001, but I left them up because they're still active and - of course - I have a fondness for history.

Find a Grave
This site has certainly expanded since I started using it. Many many volunteers have not only added pictures of graves, they've now also often included genealogical data, as well. Many of the family members are also linked. It's a great resource for finding more clues to the whereabouts of long lost ancestors. They have a mobile app, too!

My Cinnamon Toast
I listed my site here way back when. It has lots of links and surnames in various areas around the world. Don't ask me where the name originated; I have no idea.

Family Search.org
This is the Latter Day Saints' search page. I have found at least 100 birth records here that led me back to my 17th and 18th century ancestors. It's a wonderful resource that includes the 1881 censuses from the U.S., Canada, and England.

Their pilot program has yielded lots of vital records of interest to me: http://pilot.familysearch.org.

Heritage Quest
I had free access to this site when I lived in Maryland. I see Michigan residents can access it from home now. Check your own local library online to see if you can use this site in your state.

 

Cornwall Online Parish Clerk
If you have ancestors in the U.K., you're in luck. Birth records are available from 1837, and I've also received copies of marriage records for my St. Breward ancestors. It's a handy site. Sometimes extra clues can be gained by seeing the records in register order, so some are also available either on the OPCwebsite, or on individual OPCs' sites (see the individual parish pages to find direct links to the material).

Ancestry.com
I use this one the most. I swore I would never pay for my genealogy information, but I'm forced to eat my words. This information that I've gathered from this site makes it well worth the membership cost.

Rootsweb
These message boards have led me to lots of connections. (See the story of William Robroy McGregor's photos and the article about South Bend Genealogy Society volunteer, Irv Morse.) 

Counties and States - This page on the rootsweb site lets you enter any city and state and gives you the county. It's a big help when you need to find censuses and vital records.

Trace Your Family Roots From Immigration to US Citizenship: A Genealogy Guide
I've used peoplefinders.com to look up cousins, but I never saw this valuable page. This resource was sent to me by a helpful 8th grade class in Maine. Thanks, kids!

 

People Search: Genealogy Resources
I've used peoplefinders.com to look up cousins, but I never saw this valuable page. This resource was sent to me by another helpful 8th grade class. I always appreciate genealogy tips.

Order Vital Records Online
I ordered 2 death certificates online and they were in my possesion in a couple of weeks. You have to sign up for Vitalcheck to order and use a credit card, but it was convenient and fast. I could even check the progress by signing in with the order processing number they give you. Fast and easy!

 

Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid
This is where I've found dozens of the Canada family members and where they are buried. It's a great starting point. It helped me tremendously in researching the Billings, Bromells, and Rushtons of Elgin and Brant, Ontario. 
 

 

Tombstone Birthday Calculator
This is a big help with old tombstones that tell the date of death and the exact age in years, months, and days.

By the way, to do this calculation by hand when the online calculator is not available, use the 8870 formula (the calculator calls this the 30 day month length). Example: If a person died May 6, 1889 at age 71 years, 7 months and 9 days:

18890506 Year, day, month of death (yyyymmdd)
-710709 Subtract age at death (yymmdd)
18179797
-8870 Subtract constant 8870
18170927 = Born 27 Sept. 1817 (yyyymmdd) This person was born on September 27, 1817

 

Perpetual Calendar  
Ever find an obituary dated more than a century earlier that doesn't give the exact date? Well, if it it's got the date of the paper, like May 6, 1899, and it says, "So and so died on Wednesday," use this site to find Wednesday's date in a snap.

The St. Thomas Cemetery
I've gotten lots of help from the caretaker of this cemetery, Lesley Cairns. (See Archives from December 2001.)

 

BlueSky Memorials
My love of genealogy and history led me to develop this online memorial site. We haven't had a booming business, but I enjoy creating memorials for our family members. The tributes contain pictures, obituaries, and family history information, and more. These tributes last forever.