March 8 - Genealogy Day

March 8 - Genealogy Day

Yay! A day dedicated to one of my favorite hobbies (ok, they're all my favorite).

I could tell you the importance of genealogy but either you already agree with me or I won't be able to change your mind. Plus I don't feel like it.

Instead, I'd like to supply you with my personal list of genealogy links. This is heavy on Polish, Illinois, and Chicago links, because that is where my family is from. But I have many generally useful sites as well.

Don't forget to check for genealogy groups on your favorite social networking site (MySpace, Facebook, et al). The people in those groups are usually very friendly and willing to help point you in the right direction.

GENERAL SITES

Cyndi's List
A far more comprehensive pile of links than you will find in my humble blog.

1 Step Searches
Help in searching some common genealogy databases.

Free Cemetery Records
I haven't found any information on my family here, but others have had better luck.

Genealogy at About.com
I love About.com. I can always find help (or a point in the right direction) here. Not just for genealogy, but just about any topic.

WorldGenWeb Project
Lots of international help here.

USGenWeb Search Engine
1-click search of all the USGenWeb indices.

RootsWeb Surname List
If you can't find your ancestors, you may be able to find someone else who is researching the same last name. I came in contact with a lady who may or may not be related to me, but she was very friendly and helped me find more info on my family.

FamilySearch International Genealogical Index
This is part of the LDS FamilySearch site.

Social Security Death Index
This is the best SS death index I've found.

Obituary Search

COMING TO AMERICA

Ellis Island
If you are trying to determine when an ancestor arrived in America, start here.

Castle Garden
If you can't find your ancestor at the Ellis Island site, try this one.

Immigrant Ships Passenger Lists

(More) Immigrant Ship Passenger Lists

Guide to Immigration Records and Ships' Passenger Lists

POLISH LINKS (mmm...sausage)

Polish Genealogical Society of America
Click on Directory for lots of help, useful databases, and links.

Genealogy of Halychyna/Eastern Galicia

Polish Genealogy at About.com
I love About.com. I can always find help (or a point in the right direction) here. Not just for genealogy, but just about any topic. (Yes, I know I'm repeating myself.)

Common Polish First Names
This isn't exactly a genealogy site, but I enjoy learning about my family's Polish names.

Poznan Project
A Polish marriage database.

ILLINOIS (the "S" is silent)

Illinois Marriage Index, 1763-1900
Obviously you are restricted to pre-1900 marriages here.

Ordering Birth Records from Illinois

Illinois State Genealogical Society

CHICAGO/COOK COUNTY

St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery, Niles, Illinois
I have a lot of family members here. Also see this link.

Cook County USGenWeb site

Cook County Clerk's Office - Vital Records

Chicago Genealogical Society
Their list of links is very useful.

Polk's Directory for 1928-1929
This is very interesting. It is like a phone book, but without the phone numbers. It lists all the addresses in Chicago, and all the residents at those addresses. (It also lists businesses.) This is not useful if you have a name, and are looking for an address, but I obtained an address for a relative and was able to locate them in this directory. This is a very large PDF file, be patient while it loads.

CALIFORNIA

Polish Genealogical Society of California

Los Angeles Regional Family History Center (LDS)
I am looking forward to visiting this place sometime this year. I can't wait to see all the great info available there.