| By Admin,
on 09-07-2009 12:15
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Favoured : 4 |
Public library has new genealogy databaseJan Leak is systems administrator at the Niagara Falls Public Library. Working at the Niagara Falls Public Library, I realize many, many people are doing genealogy research. Our reference staff deal with emails and questions every single day from those researching their ancestors. It isn't a hobby of mine and I have never thought that I would become interested in the topic. However, all that might have changed today. The library recently received a subscription to Ancestry.com Library edtion. When we acquire new databases, the staff regularly works with them so we can help the public with their queries. I had spent just a couple of minutes searching my own name when I came across something that astonished me. The database listed twins, a boy and a girl, born to my parents two years before my birth. No mention of this has ever been made within the family. Both of my parents are deceased, but I do have one uncle still alive who may be able to unravel this mystery for me. What surprises might you find? Why not pay a visit to one of the four locations in the Niagara Falls Public Library System to see what you can discover about your family history? The database covers entries from census records; birth, death and marriage records; city directories and phone books in North America and in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe.  It is simple to use, but you must keep in mind many of the entries were created from handwritten records, so inaccuracies in spelling can exist.
If your ancestors are from Niagara, the library has a large collection of family histories. To see if your family is included, go to the library website and select "For adults," then "Local History," then "Family Histories." Reference and information staff are always available to assist you with any inquiries and remember, there is a large selection of books and records that can aid you in your family history search. The database license unfortunately does not allow access from home - it can only be used at the library. It has been made available to libraries free of charge for two years as part of the Ontario government's Investment in Libraries program. Mar 8,2008 a plan was implemented to Fund Ontario lIbraries through a $15 million investment. On June 16,2008 a proposal was made to allocate funds. By the end of June libraries including the Oxford County library system were subscribing to the Ancesty Library edition. There is a year left of free funding for this service. N.B. Not all Ontario libraries were using service beginning in June 2008. Those libraries that did get an extention to April 1, 2012. Micromedia ProQuest’s Ancestry Library Edition not Ancestry.com is the service that the Ontario government has negotiated to use. July 15/09 Press Release
Last update : 15-07-2009 10:49
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