[an error occurred while processing this directive] Old Dominion University Libraries - Library Assistance - How-to guides
Tutorials, Guides,
& How-to's

How to begin doing GENEALOGY RESEARCH

Selected "How to" books in Perry Library

  • Black Genealogy -- CS 21 .B55 (3rd floor)
  • Directory of Archives and Manuscript Collections the United States -- Reference CD 3020 .D49
  • Genealogist's Encyclopedia -- Reference CS 9 .P48
  • Genealogist's Handbook CS9.W74 (3rd floor)
  • Tracing your Civil War Ancestor --CD 3047 .G76 (3rd floor)

    • Library of Congress Subject Headings
    (for searching in the online catalog)

    Use the subject heading Genealogy. It can be a main heading or a subdivision under names of countries, cities, etc., and under ethnic groups and names of individual groups. Examples of subject searches:

    Genealogy
    Hispanic Americans--Genealogy
    Kings--Genealogy
    Nansemond County (Va.)--Genealogy
    Presidents--United States--Genealogy
    Virginia--Genealogy
    Virginia-History

    Other Resources

    Although the Perry Library has some "how to" books, it generally does not collect materials on local families. Individuals who are researching individual family histories would do better to start with an Internet search engine such as Google, Yahoo or Ask Jeeves.

    Electronic Discussion Group on the Internet

    VA-ROOTS is a discussion group sponsored by the Library of Virginia for those interested in research and writing about Virginia genealogy and family history. VA-ROOTS is an electronic forum where genealogists can share the results of research, assist newcomers to the field, inquire about the location of resources, etc. See their Web page at http://www.lva.lib.va.us

    Another Excellent Internet Resource

    Yahoo's Genealogy Page at http://www.yahoo.com/Arts/Humanities/History/Genealogy

    Family History Centers - The Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) have the most extensive library on genealogy in the United States. The materials of the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City can be loaned to the local Family History Center. There are significant materials from North America, British areas, Europe, and Latin America and some for other areas. A FamilySearch program is available at each Family History Center. The staff is as willing to help non-Mormons as members of the church. Only a small part of the collections are about the Mormon Church, its members, or its ancestors. Although these collections are large, they do not contain all families. Those individuals who have done research on their family histories can send in their research to be added to the database.

            Virginia Beach, 4760 Princess Anne -- 757-474-1796
            Chesapeake, 412 Scarborough Drive -- 757-482-9612
            Newport News, 902 Denbigh Blvd. -- 757-874-2335
            Richmond, 5600 Monument Avenue -- 804-288-8134

    Norfolk Public Library , Sargeant Memorial Room, Kirn Library, 301 East City Hall Avenue, (757-441-2503). On the Internet - http://www.npl.lib.va.us/sgm/oldlobby/archive.html

    Norfolk Public Library (and other public libraries) have local census records from the late 1600's through 1920. Inquire at the libraries about their other genealogical resources.

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