WorldGenWeb
The WorldGenWeb Project was created in 1996 by Dale Schneider to help folks researching in countries around the world. The goal is to have every country in the world represented by a website and hosted by researchers who either live in that country or are familiar with that country’s resources. The site is www.worldgenweb.org, shown in Figure 15-1.
FIGURE 15-1. WorldGenWeb is an eclectic collection of worldwide genealogy sites.
When the WorldGenWeb Project began, volunteers were recruited to host country websites. By coordinating with the USGenWeb Project, soon the major countries in the world had websites. Throughout the next year, WorldGenWeb continued to grow. In 1997, the WorldGenWeb Project moved to RootsWeb. The support of the RootsWeb staff helped WorldGenWeb expand to its present size. Divided into 11 regions (Africa, Asia, British Isles, Central Europe, Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Mediterranean, Middle East, North America, Pacific, and South America), WorldGenWeb provides links to local sites with local resource addresses of county/country public records offices, cemetery locations, maps, library addresses, archive addresses, association addresses (including Family History Centers or other genealogical or historical societies), and some history and culture of the region. Other resources may include query pages or message boards, mailing lists, historical data (including census records), cemetery records, biographies, bibliographies, and family/surname registration websites.
Between RootsWeb and WorldGenWeb, you should be able to find something about the country you need to search.
Translate a Site
Don’t be frustrated if you find a country’s archive but can’t find an English button. You can translate a page at most of the major search sites.
One way is “Translate A Page” using Bing Translator at www.microsofttranslator.com. Paste the original text in the text box. The site’s software detects the original language, and then you choose what language to translate it to.
Google Translate at www.translate.google.com, Google’s free online language translation service, instantly translates text and webpages. Simply input the uniform resource locator (URL) of the site you wish to translate, and Google Translate handles it. It also is built into the Chrome browser. When you open a page in another language in Chrome, a bar at the top will offer to translate it for you.
Several other browsers have add-ons that translate pages on the fly for you. Check your browser’s help file.
Country-Specific Sites
In addition to the places mentioned so far, there are many good starting places for an international search. Some are general and provide all sorts of international research, and some are for specific locations. The following sections describe some to get you started.
Asian Genealogical Sites
• The Singapore Genealogy Forum (http://www.genforum.genealogy.com/singapore) allows those of all races to look for their relatives and ancestors who might have lived in Singapore.
• The AsianGenWeb (http://www.worldgenweb.org/index.php/asiagenweb) is part of WorldGenWeb and has some sites, but needs hosts for many more.
• Origin of Chinese Surnames (http://www.yutopian.com/names) is a fascinating page with the most common Chinese surnames and their history.
European Genealogical Sites
There are many sites where you can research your European roots. I recommend you start with the following:
• Europe Genealogy Links is a list of sites sorted by country and resource at http://www.genealogylinks.net/europe/index.html. You will find links to cemeteries, censuses, GenWeb pages, and personal sites.
• Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg): Digital Resources Netherlands and Belgium (http://www.geneaknowhow.net/digi/resources.html) is one place you can find resources from the Netherlands and Belgium, including more than 350 Internet links to online resources (with more than 150 passenger lists), nearly 900 online resources on Dutch and Belgian bulletin board systems, and hundreds of digital resources.
• Family Explorer Benelux (http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jberteloot) is a list of links to databases, mailing lists, and other Benelux resources.
• The Federation of East European Family History Societies (FEEFHS) (http://www.feefhs.org) was organized in 1992 to foster family research in Eastern and Central Europe without any ethnic, religious, or social distinctions. You’ll find a forum for individuals and organizations focused on either a single country or a group of people to exchange information and be updated on developments in the field. While it primarily serves the interests of North Americans in tracing their lineages back to a European homeland, it welcomes members from all countries. The site has historical maps, information on conferences and workshops, information on organizing tours to Europe for hands-on research, and a quarterly e-mail newsletter.
• The Ukrainian Roots Genealogy Webring can be found at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ukrgs/ukrroots.html. The webring is community of webpages on Ukrainian genealogy research. The pages are personal home pages of people who want to share information that they have accumulated on their family history and Ukrainian heritage. You’ll also find pointers to sources of information that would be of help to others doing research into their Ukrainian family history.
• Eastern Slovakia, Slovak, and Carpatho-Rusyn Genealogy Research (http://www.iarelative.com/slovakia.htm) has articles, links, message boards, and transcribed records.
France
Interest in French genealogy online is growing rapidly. This short list will get you started:
• Besides the usual sites, such as Cyndi’s List and WorldGenWeb, check out FrancoGene at http://www.francogene.com. At FrancoGene, you’ll find Quebec’s pioneers and resources in Europe; genealogy sites in former French colonies around the world, such as Quebec and Haiti; and links to genealogy societies and institutions.
• Much like Ancestry.com in the United States, Genealogy.tm.fr (http://www.genealogy.tm.fr) is a for-fee site that allows you to search documents and records in French. This was started in 1994, when Laurent Fondant began his own genealogy and found a need to transcribe, index, and scan documents. You pay a subscription for a period to access the documents you find in searching indexes.
• You can search for the geographic distribution of your surname in France (based on censuses from 1891 to 1990) at http://www.geopatronyme.com.
• Nomina (http://www.culture.fr/genealogie) is a meta-search of 13 million names in genealogy databases (GEDCOMs), marriages records, and military records. You can search them all at once, or narrow it down to one of four categories.
• Genealogie.com is much like Genealogy.com in the United States (http://www.genealogie.com). People upload their data for searching and exchanging information.
Germany
The Germans keep wonderful records, but wars and other disasters sometimes left holes in the lexicon. Still, using these sites may be helpful:
• Genealogy.net (http://www.genealogienetz.de/genealogy.html) is a treasure trove of information. From the home page, you can find the monthly newsletter in German, information on genealogical research in local regions, links to 35 different German genealogical societies, 60 mailing lists, a FAQ on German genealogy, a GEDCOM database, a gazetteer, a list of heritage books, and much more. Most of it is in German, so remember the translation sites mentioned earlier! You can search many of these databases with just one query in the meta-search engine.
• GermanRoots (http://www.germanroots.com) offers tips, links, and research hints. It has lists such as “The Best German Resources,” “The Best General Resources” “History, Language, and Culture,” and a basic guide for research in German genealogy by Joe Beine.
• The New England Historic Genealogical Society has a good history of the Hessian soldiers who fought and sometimes stayed in the Americas at http://www.americanancestors.org/hessian-descendants/.
• The telephone book for Germany can be found at http://www.dastelefonbuch.de.
• Karte
nmeister is a free online gazetteer of German place names at http://www.kartenmeister.com/.
Italy
Italians love genealogy! Again, this is a short list to get you started:
• The Italian Genealogy Homepage (http://www.italgen.com) is the leading resource for those who research Italian genealogy. This page includes links to how-to articles, discussion groups, and history.
• Visit D’addezio, or The Italian Heritage and Genealogy page, at http://www.daddezio.com. It has links to atlases, cemeteries, genealogy articles, genealogy newsletters, genealogy software reviews, genealogy supplies, helpful organizations, history and culture resources, information on coats of arms, local (Italian) societies, maps, military records, passenger lists, research services, surname studies, vital records, and more.
• The Italy World Club has a page with links to archives in Italy by region at http://www.italyworldclub.com/genealogy.
Spain
The Spanish Empire in the New World, as well as in Europe, left many records that family historians can use. Here are some examples:
• The place to start is the Society of Hispanic Historical and Ancestral Research at http://www.shhar.net. This organization is nonprofit and all-volunteer, and is dedicated to family history. Besides good pointers for beginners and a message board, this is the only site I’ve seen with information on African-Hispanic families. The books and journals are worthwhile too. Don’t miss the monthly online magazine at http://www.shhar.net/DVD.pdf.
• Spain Genealogy Links (http://www.genealogylinks.net/europe/spain/) has tips, data, and links about Spain and more.
• A site called EuroDocs from Brigham Young University has a page on Spanish history at http://eudocs.lib.byu.edu/index.php/History_of_Spain:_Primary_Documents. This has transcribed Spanish documents ranging from the Visigothic Code to wills of individuals.
• A list of mailing addresses for archives and libraries in Spain is on the Genealogy Forum at http://www.genealogyforum.rootsweb.com/gfaol/resource/Hispanic/SpainNA.htm.
Portugal
Portuguese ancestry is almost as widespread as Spanish. However, online resources are not as prevalent.
• Doug da Rocha Holmes’ page at http://www.dholmes.com/rocha1.html, called Portuguese Genealogy Home Page, is dedicated to Portuguese genealogy. The site proclaims, “This website was created with the Portuguese genealogist in mind. It is for anyone and everyone whose passion has become the search for their Portuguese ancestry no matter where they came from in the former Portuguese territories. Many projects are underway which will be of great interest to anyone concerned with this field of study. Check back from time to time to see the new developments.”
• LusaWeb is a site dedicated to Portuguese culture, ancestry, and more at http://www.lusaweb.com. This is an organization with dues, like many genealogy societies. It is a place to celebrate common heritage, learn about Portuguese history and traditions, and share the memory of our Portuguese ancestors.
• The Portuguese-American Historical & Research Foundation has a page for genealogy questions and answers at http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/.
• The National Library of Portugal is online at http://www.bnportugal.pt, in Portuguese, of course. Remember to use the translation tools mentioned previously!
Note
Most European national libraries are searchable from The European Library webpage at www.theeuropeanlibrary.org/.
Scandinavia
Census records of Norway are being transcribed and posted by volunteers at these pages, which also have good information on research in Norway:
• The Digital Archives is a public service from the National Archives of Norway. Here, you can search transcribed source material for free at http://www.arkivverket.no/Digitalarkivet. Click the English button at the bottom to read it in English, or use Chrome to browse there.
• Norwegian Research Sources (http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wgnorway/NorLinks3.htm) is an excellent starting place. It has links to articles on the Ancestors from Norway site and “Basics of Norwegian Research,” among other things.
• Ancestors from Norway (http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~norway) was created in 1996 to document and inform Norwegian ancestry. It now has excellent articles on research, links to more than 100 sites with information and records, and even recipes!
• The Norwegian Emigration and Genealogy Center offers information in Norwegian for descendants at http://www.emigrationcenter.com.
Note
Are you finding lots of good information? Have you backed up this week? This month? This year?
• Martin’s Norwegian Genealogy Dictionary (http://www.martinroe.com/eidhalist.htm) can help you decipher words for relationships, occupations, and so on.
• ProGenealogists has a page for most European countries, including one for Denmark at http://www.progenealogists.com/denmark.
United Kingdom
Genealogy is as popular in the United Kingdom as it is in the United States. Here are some good starting places for online information:
• The United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland Genealogy site (http://www.genuki.org.uk) is the best starting point. This site has transcribed data, such as parish records, plus links to individuals’ pages where genealogy research (secondary material) is posted. Look at the index page (http://www.genuki.co.uk/contents) for specific counties, surnames, and so forth.
• The Free BMD (Free Birth, Marriage, and Death Records) Project (http://www.freebmd.org.uk) provides free Internet access to the Civil Registration Index information for England and Wales from 1837. The transcriptions are ongoing, and the updates are posted once or twice a month. You can volunteer to help!
• The National Archives of Ireland has a genealogy how-to page at http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/introduction-to-genealogy. From the site, you can search the indexes of 1901 or 1911 census returns; 1840s, 1850s, and 1860s Primary Valuation (also known as Griffith’s Valuation); and 1820s or 1830s Tithe Applotment Books. There are also some marriage records, although a certain number of records were destroyed in “The Troubles.”
• The UK National Digital Archive of Datasets (http://www.ndad.nationalarchives.gov.uk) has archived digital data from UK government departments and agencies. The site provides open access to the catalogs of all of its holdings, as well as free access to certain datasets, when you register online.
• The National Archives of Scotland (http://www.nas.gov.uk) has records from the fifteenth century. The family history page at http://www.nas.gov.uk/familyHistory has good how-to information. You can download PDF files of fact sheets on adoption, deeds, wills, and other topics.
Australia and New Zealand
Australia is rich with genealogy websites. Start with Cyndi’s List at www.cyndislist.com/austnz.htm. Other sites include:
• The Society of Australian Genealogists (http://www.sag.org.au) offers materials, meetings, and special interest groups. The library catalog is online as well. This group has been helping people with Australian genealogy since 1932.
• The Dead Persons Society is a genealogy group with several branches. Each site has guides to searching Australian provinces; databases of cemeteries, census, and other records; and general articles on Australian genealogy. A full list of member webpages is at http://www.members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/dps-socs.htm.
• Convicts to Australia, a guide to researching ancestry during the time when Australia was used as a large prison, can be found at http://www.convictcentral.com. The site has some how-to guides, many census and ships’ passenger lists, and more. However, the site cannot handle individual questions or requests for research help.
• The National Archives of Australia (http://www.naa.gov.au) has an entire section on family history and what records to look for.
Africa
• South African Genealogy (http://www.sagenealogy.co.za) is dedicated to helping folks find South African ancestors. “Here you will find lists of passengers arriving or depart
ing the port of Cape Town mostly during the 1800s, books and CDs of colonial records and local history, links to specialist South African and International genealogical websites and more … all aimed at making your South African Family History research a little easier,” the site says.
• Conrod Mercer’s page (http://home.global.co.za/~mercon) is a personal collection of tips on doing South African (white) genealogy.
• The African Atlantic Genealogical Society (http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gfli/africanatllantic.html) has newsletters, queries, and census data to help you get started.
• You may want to check out Cyndi’s List (search for the African nation of interest) and WorldGenWeb first.
North America
The following sites are good places to start to search for information on ancestors from Canada and Mexico.
Canada
Canadian history is as long and varied as U.S. history. Here are some good starting places:
• Canadian Genealogy and History Links (CGHL) (http://www.islandnet.com/~cghl) lists online sites for vital records, genealogies, and general history, sorted by province. The CGHL search engine will look for your search term in the descriptions or titles of pages listed on the site.
• Immigrants to Canada (http://jubilation.uwaterloo.ca/~marj/genealogy/) offers information extracted from various government records, as well as from shipping records. You can read and search such documents as ships’ lists, immigration reports, and first-person accounts. It also has links to other genealogy sites. It is from the University of Waterloo.
Genealogy Online Page 21