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Mission Statement

ShoeString Genealogy provides Family Historians with information about how to research their ancestors both on the Internet and in libraries and other repositories. Besides how, we will show you where—locations for information and the relative value of each.

Here you will find useful, free Genealogy Charts and some free Genealogy Forms. And there are free Presentations on Genealogy Topics; Tips and Techniques; new Developments and Resources; and diversions such as Trivia Quizzes and Crossword Puzzles.

ShoeString Genealogy focuses on lowering the costs of research whilst raising the quality of information obtained. Although not all online resources are free, many are. Same for many repositories. We'll show you an abundance of excellent resources that are quite inexpensive, too.

Upcoming Events

  • Tuesday, 06-Jan-09, GLF-GEORGE will hold the New England States chat starting at 8pm EST. This chat will be held in the StateRoom. George discusses researching in New England, with emphasis on Maine and New Hampshire. He also has resources in Massachusetts, since he resides in its western part. And he has full membership at NEHGS, along with ANCESTRY.COM and GENEALOGY.COM. Take advantage of these New England States chats.

  • Wednesdae, 07-Jan-09, IrishPat will present Genealogy Trivia. It happens at 9:30 pm EST in the Ancestral Room.

  • Thursdae, 08-Jan-09, GENTREK returns with "Google Books and Scholar." Add these tools to your genealogical "Schneider belt." We'll show you how and offer some ideas for further exploration, too. We'll see you from 10pm-11pm EST.

  • Fridae, 09-Jan-09, GENTREK will present "Google Books and Google Scholar." Add these tools to your genealogical "Schneider belt." We'll show you how and offer some ideas for further exploration, too. We'll see you at 4 pm EST, or 9 pm British, in the AOL Genealogy Chatroom—UK.

  • Fridae, 09-Jan-09, GLF-Wohlford and GLF-Debbie explore the world of paranormal activity in our lives, our ancestors' lives and in our research. They may talk about ghosts, psychic phenomenon in research, or beliefs of our ancestors—whatever interests you. They even have some Reiki Masters who can discuss energy sources and ancestral guides and their influence on research. Hope to see you 9pm-10pm EST in the StateRoom.

  • Saturdae, 10-Jan-09, Linda01720 will present Genealogy Trivia. It happens at 9:30 pm EST in the Ancestral Room.

  • Wednesdae, 07-Jan-09, IrishPat will present Genealogy Trivia. It happens at 9:30 pm EST in the Ancestral Room.

  • Saturdae, 10-Jan-09, Linda01720 will present Genealogy Trivia. It happens at 9:30 pm EST in the Ancestral Room.

  • Mondae, 12-Jan-09, GENTREK will present "U.S. Federal Census 1810 through 1830," by Dae Powell. We'll examine what is and isn't on each census and some of the pitfalls to be aware of. Additional supporting sources will be discussed, too. You may want to be here at 9 pm EST in the AOL Genealogy Chatroom.

  • Tuesday, 13-Jan-09, GLF-GEORGE will hold the New England States chat starting at 8pm EST. This chat will be held in the StateRoom. George discusses researching in New England, with emphasis on Maine and New Hampshire. He also has resources in Massachusetts, since he resides in its western part. And he has full membership at NEHGS, along with ANCESTRY.COM and GENEALOGY.COM. Take advantage of these New England States chats.

  • Wednesdae, 14-Jan-09, Paulyb will present Genealogy Trivia. It happens at 9:30 pm EST in the Ancestral Room.

  • Saturdae, 17-Jan-09, Happy Dae and Fancy Jayne will be in Mugs & Hugs, Saturdae edition. These are friendly chats, where any topic may come up—even genealogy. And you don't have to remain the entire hour. <grin> Each Saturdae, from 9am-10am EST in AOL chatroom Ancestral Digs.

  • Saturdae, 17-Jan-09, GLF-LIN hosts her chat, Notable Kin. Do you have a famous or infamous relative? You'll find her in the Ancestral Room at 8:00 pm EST in the GEN Trivia Room.

  • Saturdae, 17-Jan-09, Goodfeller will present Genealogy Trivia. It happens at 9:30 pm EST in the Ancestral Room.

  • Saturdae, 17-Mar-09, Dae Powell will present "Family Medical History. This is not an online presentation, however. Sponsored by the Center for Texas Studies at Texas Christian University, it will be held at the downtown public library in Fort Worth.

Tip o' the Dae

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FREE shipping on orders of $100 or more! The Family History Store: Products for discovering, preserving and celebrating your heritage!

by Dae Powell

Content Added During 2008 at WorldVitalRecords.com

It was an exciting year at WorldVitalRecords.com, and they hope that you have had a wonderful year as well. At this Christmas season, they are grateful to their subscribers, partners, affiliates, friends, and family members. One of the benefits you can enjoy at WorldVitalRecords.com, is that they add content daily. Currently they have more than 1.3 billion names in more than 11,000 databases (that's more than twice as many databases as they had last year!) ...and they're just getting started!

by Dae Powell

Copac National, Academic, and
Specialist Library Catalogue

The Copac® library catalogue gives free access to the merged online catalogues of major University, Specialist, and National Libraries in the UK and Ireland, including the British Library at Copac.

Copac includes details of materials held in libraries throughout the UK, plus Trinity College Dublin Library in Ireland. Copac includes the catalogues of all the UK National Libraries, a wide range of major University libraries, as well as specialist collections such as the National Art Library (V&A Museum).

by Dae Powell

Genealogy Blog Finder

I recommend several Genealogy Blogs, including AnceStories, Ancestry Insider, Creative Gene, Steve Danko's Blog, EOGN, Everton's Blog, GeneaBlogie, GeneaMusings, Megan's, Orations of OMcHodoy and ThinkGenealogy. Sometimes we look for specific interests in Genealogy, don't we? If you are "Hooked on Blogging" like George Morgan and many of us, then visit Genealogy Blog Finder. There are several categories such as Genealogy News, Tips Resources & Reviews, Single Surname, Technology, Preservation, Locality Specific, Genetic Genealogy, Ethnic, Conferences, Professional, and ... well, go see for yourself!

by Dae Powell

State Genealogy Resources

Genealogists constantly pore over old records. The U.S. government is the largest repository of civic records. It maintains significant record collections for us genealogists. They have a listing of many state and local archives.

You can view the listing at: State Genealogy. It is also found on Dick Eastman's Encyclopedia of Genealogy.

Although the listing is online, most of the records are not. Do visit the repositories listed to view the records. Many have been microfilmed, and other records are now online at such sites as Footnote.com, WorldVitalRecords.com, Ancestry.com, etc.

by Dick Eastman

A Genealogy Holiday Hoe Down!

Genealogy Gems News has a cute video featuring some of my faves in Genealogy publishing, online and in print. 'Nuff said—you need to click and enjoy!

by Dae Powell

Jewish Historical Records

Ancestry.com has introduced the world’s largest online collection of Jewish family history records. To do so, Ancestry.com has partnered with two leading organizations dedicated to preserving Jewish heritage—JewishGen, an affiliate of the Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial in New York City to the Holocaust that maintains the world’s premier Jewish genealogy website, and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), an overseas humanitarian aid organization which provides relief for Jews in more than 70 countries. These partnerships will make millions of important Jewish historical documents available on Ancestry.com, many of which are now online for the first time and searchable for FREE. These unique records—photographs, immigration records, Holocaust records and memorials, now can be searched in addition to other records already accessible on Ancestry.com, now with more than 26 million Jewish records.

by Dae Powell

Remember everything.

Evernote enables you to easily capture information in any environment using any device or platform you find most convenient, and makes the information accessible and searchable at any time, from anywhere. It can be used online or on your desktop. Registration is free so give it a try. You may even want their upgrade service/product.

by Dae Powell

Entering Location Data

Record BOTH the original document's name AND the modern name. Put the modern name in parentheses. For example, Constantinople, Turkey (Istanbul, Turkey). This will help you later (and any other researchers looking at your file) to determine jurisdictional authority and find other supporting documentation (maybe).

by Dae Powell

Live Roots

In their own words:  Live Roots is an information resource that assists you with locating genealogical data, regardless of where it may be stored. Genealogists use Live Roots to find vital records and original publications, share opinions about online repositories and learn more about tools available to simplify their research projects. The concept behind Live Roots was to build a single resource that bridges the gaps between independent genealogy web sites, large commercial ancestry repositories and many other printed family history materials yet to be digitized and published on the World Wide Web.

Live Roots extends beyond the typical bounds of a traditional search engine or link directory by facilitating access to offline records and publications through partnerships with amateur and professional researchers who either own copies or are geographically closer to the libraries and archives that do.

by Illya D'Addezio of Genealogy Today


Classic Sketch


Juanita Hamel, Jan, 1925

"The Snowflake Through Cupid's Magic Glass"
by Juanita Hamel, Jan 1925

Do you remember when you were a wee kiddie you used to think that every snowflake that fell carried a little snow fairy? and how hard you looked and watched to see if you could find one of the fairies and make a wish that would immediately be granted?

And, somehow, you have never quite gotten over looking for the fairies. But now each feathery flake that falls carries the image of the one in whom you have given your heart, and Cupid holds the magic glass that brings the fulfillment to your dearest dreams right to your heart.

—Dae Powell