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Tag: covid19

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Free Genealogy Online Resources During The Covid-19 Pandemic

These are challenging times indeed. The novel coronavirus and the consequent outbreak of Covid-19 has made its mark on our world in an indelible way already, at a level unimagined since the Spanish Flu a century ago.

free genealogy online resources
Use your time safe at home to explore more of your genealogy

No matter how dark the times are, there is always something positive to focus on. For the past couple of generations, people have become more and more isolated and individualistic. The concept of community has become sidelined. During our enforced physical isolation we are now seeing people reaching out to one another. This is often aided by technology – virtual parties, sing-songs, games, and Skype chats. There have been some truly heartwarming stories shared.

The genealogical world is no different. As I write, I am intrigued by a virtual genealogy webinar featuring genealogists displaying their non-genealogical talents for our entertainment in a two-hour show. I am currently witnessing an origami demonstration!

This week, I’d like to share with you some of the free genealogy online resources that are now being made available by libraries, archives and other database providers. This is their generous response to our self-isolation/quarantine/lockdown situations across the globe. Have a look and see if any of these might help you with your research while you have more ‘inside time’!

Additional Free Genealogy Online Resources – Libraries

Most library buildings are now physically closed. Holders of library cards are probably aware that their library offers online access to various databases. The content varies from library to library so check the web site of yours. In addition to the regular database access from home options, many libraries are also currently offering access to databases you can usually only reach when inside the library. For example, you will likely find you can now access Ancestry Library Edition free of charge from your couch! Some libraries are also offering remote access to FindMyPast while the library buildings are shut (Tasmanian readers, you’re in luck!).

You should be able to access many newspapers and journals too. Look for JSTOR additional access, you will be thrilled at what you can find! Remember to check all your library memberships; your local library, state library and national library, as what is not available at one may be available at another.

free genealogy online resources unlocked
Access to more data is temporarily unlocked!

Additional Free Genealogy Online Resources -Archives

The Internet Archive has also made additional items available under the name ‘National Emergency Library’. It should probably be called the ‘International Emergency Library’ since it is globally available! This collection consists of over 1.4M texts not usually available due to copyright restrictions, many of them useful for genealogy research and all of them interesting!

The US National Archives has some useful free genealogy online resources available. You can also source around 300 of their collections via Ancestry (search for ‘NARA’ in the Card Catalog).

Additional Free Genealogy Online Resources – Other Sources

MyHeritage recently launched a photo colourisation service. Normally you would have to be a subscriber to use it for more than just a few images, but for now, they’ve made it completely free of charge to colourise an unlimited number of photos. It’s amazing to see them come to life!

Do you have any South African ancestors or collateral lines that emigrated there? You can now get free access until 17th April to the databases at Ancestors South Africa!

The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society has been offering free webinars. I have attended several already and can vouch for their quality.

I’m sure there are many more also becoming available, these are just the ones I have heard about in the past few days. If your favourite sites aren’t mentioned here, go take a look at their page. They may be offering something extra at the moment.

Also, remember, the above resources are ‘extras’. They are over and above their usual offerings in the online space. Your usual access to some of the amazing free resources such as FamilySearch Digital Library, Catalog, and Historical Images is all still there too. After all these years I could still lose myself at FamilySearch for days on end! Go check Cyndi’s List and see if you can find some new links you’ve never tried before for an area of your tree you want to expand upon.

free genealogy online resources

I hope these suggestions help fill a little time for you. Now that we’ve moved from simple social distancing to something that is looking much more intense and long term, we need all the distraction we can get. Stay busy, look out for one another and above all, stay well!

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Social Distancing Made Easy – Genealogy in the Time of Covid-19

As the novel Coronavirus takes a firm hold on the world, we are being encouraged to ‘flatten the curve’ of infection in order to keep our healthcare services from being completely overwhelmed. Social distancing, keeping away from the hordes, appears to be the most effective way of limiting the spread of the virus. Indeed, the same measures were taken during the Spanish Flu outbreak a century ago.

social distancing discover

This means many of us will be at home a lot more than usual. Social distancing is the new (temporary) norm. But it’s not all bad news. There is so much we can do to pass the time that we may not usually have enough space in our days to do. Let’s make lemonade! Our family trees can benefit enormously from this enforced time out from our social lives!

Social Distancing Genealogist-Style

Here are just a few ideas to pass your time productively and progress your family history…

1) Get organised

When we dip in and out of our genealogy whenever we get a spare moment, things can quickly get disorganised. Social distancing time is perfect to invest in getting your research organised again…a crucial part of efficient research.

  • Do you have a pile of documents that needs sorting and filing?
  • Have you scanned all your photos and documents?
  • Are your computer files sorted so you can find everything easily?
  • Have you written a research plan?

2) Read

We all have a pile of reading material we need to get around to tackling. Do it now while you’re social distancing!

  • Non-fiction – now is the time to dig out all the family history society journals, history books and other reference books that help provide knowledge and context to our research. Educate yourself.
  • Fiction – there are some great genealogical mystery books around to lose yourself in. Try Nathan Dylan Goodwin or Steve Robinson!
social distancing read books

3) Listen and watch

If you don’t feel like reading, there are many other ways to enjoy some genealogy input while social distancing.

  • Listen to genealogy podcasts. There are so many to choose from, find one that matches your interests and enjoy!
  • Watch webinars (try Family Tree Webinars, or catch the Rootstech 2020 lectures still available online).
  • Have you seen all the episodes of your favourite genealogy TV show? If so, can you track down other versions of it? For example, although ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ began in the UK, there are also several seasons of the Australian and US versions. Even if you don’t always know who the celebrity is, the stories are always interesting and you can get some insight into how to solve nutty genealogy problems.
social distancing family history

4) Research

With a bit more time on your hands, social distancing gives you the opportunity to go really in-depth with your research. Perhaps it’s time to get stuck into…

  • Exploring your ancestors’ FAN clubs
  • Analysing your DNA results, maybe trying some new tools such as AutoTrees
  • Looking for gaps in your documentation and ordering copies in. Don’t forget to ‘kill off’ all your ancestors!
  • Doing a ‘deep dive’ into one of your brick wall ancestors. Start again from scratch with them and see what you can find.
  • Digging out some of those wills that seem a bit daunting and focus on working out their contents!
social distancing research

5) Involve the family

  • Phone elderly relatives and ask about their memories. Get those stories from them while you have time to really listen. It’s a good way to check up on their wellbeing too since they are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus.
  • If you are home with the kids due to school being shut, help them pass the time by doing a family tree project. This is also a great way to get them involved and perhaps recruit one of them to carry on as the family historian after you have gone!
social distancing call relatives

6) Volunteer

  • Family History Societies and local history groups are always crying out for volunteers. Why not see what your groups need and offer to help with things you can do from home? Transcriptions of registers and other documents can be done from your computer.
  • Memorial sites such as Billion Graves and Find A Grave rely on people transcribing uploads. If you’re good at reading headstones, this is a great use of your time.

So there we go. Your social calendar might be emptying, but give it a couple of weeks and you’ll wonder how you ever found time to go out and play! Stay safe and well, and happy researching!