This is a list of resources that I have used in my genealogy research:

By Roger Kemps © 2009

 

US Census

 

·      I consider Ancestry.com the best. However, it is pricey. Since my subscription has expired, I now go to my local library if I want to use it.

·      HeritageQuest is a free alternative that I can access from home, through my local library, with my library card. Recent improvements have made this an excellent resource.

·      Family Search has some census years loaded. It is free. Give it a try.

·      Fold3.com has 1860 and 1930, but now requires a membership.

·      Blank Census Forms (free) from Ancestry.com. Choose Census Forms.

 

Deaths

 

·      A good starting point is: http://www.deathindexes.com/.

·      The Social Security Death Index by FamilySearch is at: https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1202535 Current through February 28, 2014.

·      The Social Security Death Index from Genealogy Bank is at: http://www.genealogybank.com/gbnk/ssdi/?kbid=9064&m=9. Recent deaths are no longer included.

·      Ancestry.com.

·      Illinois Statewide Death Index for deaths from 1916 – 1950 is at: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/idphdeathindex.html.  Certificates can be ordered from the state; however, they come faster if ordered directly from the county that is listed. Do not order a certified copy (they will send a genealogical copy anyway) since they only send them for legal purposes and then you will wait several weeks for your refund of the $7 difference.

·      Illinois Statewide Death Index for deaths before 1916 is at: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/death.html.

·      Missouri Death Certificates 1910 – 1969 are available at: http://s1.sos.mo.gov/records/archives/archivesdb/deathcertificates/

·      Family Search has some states loaded. It is free. Give it a try.

·      For Cook County, Illinois, deaths 20 years or older can be found at their website and downloadable certificates can be obtained for $17.

 

Cemeteries

 

·      Oakdale Cemetery at: http://genealogytrails.com/ill/washington/cems/oakd/oakdalecm.html.

·      St. Louis Catholic Cemeteries at: http://cemeteries.archstl.org/Burial-Search

·      Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana at: http://crownhill.funeralinnovations.com/burial-locator.

·      Forest Lawn Cemeteries in California at: http://forestlawn.com/find/

·      Veterans at: http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1

·      Oakwood Cemetery in Muskegon, Michigan at: http://genealogymuskegon.licentia.biz/Databases/Cemeteries/Oakwood%20-%20Muskegon/oakwoodmuskegon.htm

·      Find A Grave.com can be useful if someone has created a memorial for the person.

 

Obituaries

 

·      ObitsArchive.com They cost about $3.

·      Washington County, Illinois Genealogy Trails has a few. See: http://genealogytrails.com/ill/washington/family.html.

·      Ancestry.com has some in the Historical Newspapers collection.

 

Probate Records for Washington County Illinois

 

·      Washington County, Illinois Genealogy Trails has an index at: http://genealogytrails.com/ill/washington/#probate  This is a slow process. You order, they count the sheets and quote a price for copies, you send a check, they send the copies. They may be for the wrong person if the spelling is the same.

 

Births

 

·      Certificates can be ordered from the appropriate County Clerk. The addresses, procedures and cost can be found online.

·      Ancestry.com has some birth registers.

·      Family Search has some information loaded. It is free. Give it a try.

·      For Cook County, Illinois, births 75 years or older can be found on their website and downloadable certificates can be obtained for $15.

 

Marriages

 

·      The Illinois Archives has an incomplete index (1763 – 1900) at: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/marriage.html.

·      For Washington County, Illinois, I have called the Clerks Office and they have looked in the books while I waited on the phone. If they have the record, I follow up with a request letter and payment. See example.

·      Ancestry.com.

·      Family Search has some information loaded. It is free. Give it a try.

·      For Cook County, Illinois, marriages 50 years or older can be found in the lookup index and downloadable certificates can be obtained for $16.75.

·       The Indiana State Library has an on-line database for Indiana marriages through 1850 at: https://digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/search.aspx?index=3

 

Family Histories

 

·      Ancestry.com OneWorldTree. Different researchers have posted conflicting information.

·      Rootsweb has a lot of family tree and other information and it is free.

·      Relatives and others who provide unsolicited help.

·      Google the surname.

 

Land Patents

 

·      For Illinois, start with the Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database.

·      This will assist with using the Bureau of Land Management Database.

·       Ancestry.com.

 

Washington County, Illinois

 

·      Washington County, Illinois Genealogy Trails Website at:: http://genealogytrails.com/ill/washington.

·      History of Oakdale Township.

·      History of Washington County, Illinois - 1879.

·      This is Washington County 1818 - 1968.

 

South Carolina

 

·      The index of on-line records in the South Carolina Archives is at: http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/  Some of the records are on-line. Others require a contact person to go there and print them out from the microfilm. My contact is Ellen Schuster. Let me know if you want her contact information.

·      Scotch Irish Migration to South Carolina, 1772.

 

City Directories

 

·      HeritageQuest is a free source that I can access from home, through my local library, with my library card. Recent improvements have made this an excellent resource that includes City Directories.

·      Fold3.com has city directories for 21 cities. I found the St. Louis directories to be especially useful. I also found entries in Chicago, Cincinnati and Philadelphia.

·      Ancestry.com has more city directories with different time periods. I have not probed this collection recently.

 

Military - General

 

·      Ancestry.com was very helpful. I especially liked the World War I Draft Registration Cards, even for people who did not serve in that war. See example.

·      For Washington County, Illinois veterans, check: http://genealogytrails.com/ill/washington/#veterans.

·      The National Archives can provide compiled service records, if they exist. They can be ordered for $30 on paper or CD at: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/pre-ww-1-records.html. The one for Thomas McClurken was not available.

·      The National Archives can provide a complete Federal pre-Civil War military pension application based on Federal military service before 1861. They can be ordered for $55 on paper or CD at: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/pre-ww-1-records.html.

·      Fold3.com has the pension files for the Revolutionary War.

·      HeritageQuest Revolutionary War is a free service that I can access from home, through my local library, with my library card.

 

Civil War

 

·      The Illinois Archives has a decent database at: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/datcivil.html. See: example.

·      For Illinois Civil War Veterans of Missouri Units, use:  http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/missouri.html.

·      For Illinois Civil War Veterans of Missouri Units, I prefer the Missouri State Archives database at: http://S1.sos.mo.gov/records/archives/archivesdb/soldiers/. See example. Other Wars are also included.

·      The National Park Service has a database at: https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm

·      Again, for Washington County, Illinois veterans, check: http://genealogytrails.com/ill/washington/#veterans.

 

McClurken’s and other family members

 

·      McClurkin Family Genealogy Forum.

·      Lois Myer Research on LDS film 547593. (Although I have not used it, many others have transcribed parts of it).

·      Dave Sanders Genealogy Notes previously at : http://home.fuse.net/davesanders/McClurkin Census Collection.html

·      History of Oakdale Township.

·      Narratives of Randolph County.

·      The Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America Archives.

·      Google Books.

·      HeritageQuest Books is a free service that I can access from home, through my local library, with my library card.

·      The D.A.R. website provides basic information on some descendants of Revolutionary War veterans.

·      The Indiana State Library has an on-line Indianapolis Newspaper Database for the years 1848 - 1888. It was created in the late 1930s by W.P.A. workers. The four papers that were indexed are the Indianapolis Herald, Journal, News, and Sentinel.

·      The Periodical Source Index, or PERSI, is a large subject index of periodical articles that are historical or genealogy related. It was created by the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It can also be accessed the index is with HeritageQuest Online, available from home through most public libraries.

 

Covenanters

 

·      Covenanters in Revolutionary Times, see: “Notes and Queries” available free from Google, pages 133 through 141: http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=Cd4BAAAAMAAJ&dq=Notes+and+queries+William+Henry+Egle&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=Mch7e1p-AL&sig=vSZdIzB4Mw9lWlVSz_EaxuMGxbs&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result.

·      My Covenanters page has several other links. See: Covenanters.

 

Slavery in Illinois

 

·      See: “Historic Illinois” available free from Google, pages 318 through 332 (Slavery) at: http://books.google.com/books?id=0P40AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA318&lpg=PA318&dq=Battle+Against+Slavery+Historic+Illinois&source=bl&ots=cZ1hhuk-8V&sig=2OrPK6UN3cMOfiaTvBvaMYnIqlk&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result.

 

LDS and Family History Centers

 

·      Family Search has considerable information. It is free. Give it a try.

·      LDS Family History Centers. This link will allow one to locate the nearest Family History Center. The one nearest my house has limited hours and equipment. However, I have used it.

 

Basics

 

·      The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Genealogy

 

Other

 

·      How DNA Testing Has Helped Family Tree Accuracy

 

 

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Last updated:  11/20/2020