Using USGenWeb
The USGenWeb Project is a more than 25-year-old, online genealogical resource which is free to all. It was built and maintained independently by local, national, and international volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life (genealogist, historian, cultural anthropologist, researcher, photographer, webmaster, transcriptionist, proofreader, etc.). Some help just once while others participate occasionally, daily, monthly, or annually. Some volunteers contribute images, information, remembrances, or links to resources, while others provide website hosting services and/or donate dollars toward project expenses.
The USGenWeb Project is a good place to explore and troll for a family history treasure. To get the most from it, equip yourself with a list of the surnames that interest you, and make a note of the counties where you think you'll be likely to find something. Work through the sites for all the locations on your list (states, counties, and towns) plus their neighbors. Browse each site and use its search engine, if one is offered. Browse and search the neighboring sites, too. Then, use your list to browse and search the USGenWeb Special Projects, where much additional information is offered.
Location sites are organized
a. By State (plus District of Columbia)
Example
b. By County (Parish, Borough, Census Area) within a State
Example
c. And sometimes, by Town within a County
Example
Location sites might offer
a. Maps
i. Boundary changes
Example
ii. Plats (showing landowners)
Example
iii. Railroads
Example
b. Histories
i. Local area
Example
ii. Family Example
iii. Cultural Example
iv. Orphan trains Example
v. Poor houses Example
vi. Events Example
vii. WWII relocation camps
Example
c. Newspapers (articles, advertisements, announcements, obituaries, tidbits, …)
d. Directories
Example
e. Documents (indexes, images, transcriptions)
i. Bible
ii. Birth
iii. Census
Example
iv. Church
Example
v. Court
Example
vi. Death (records, obituaries, tombstones, funeral prayer cards)
vii.
Diaries Example
viii.
Land
ix. Marriage
x. Military
Example
xi. Naturalization
xii. School
Example
xiii. Taxes
Example
f. Photographs
(people, places, headstones, events, …)
g. Ephemera (event flyers and
programs, restaurant placemats, autograph books, …)
h. Off-site resource
ideas
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Page content reviewed and/or updated by the Advisory Board 2022 Dec
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