1. FREE Genealogy Workshop
What are these databases and how can they help with research?
What unique resources are available in each of the databases?
How do I log in to access them without paying subscription fees?
Additional tips, time for sharing and practice
Please call reference staff, we will print handouts for attendees
Part I: Library Subscription Databases
January 18, 1:00 – 2:00, East Room
Part II: State Provided Databases
January 25, 1:00 – 2:00, East Room
Cynthia Hesser,
Presenter

2. Heritage Quest &
Genealogy Connect
GENEALOGY DATABASES FROM STATE LIBRARY OF
KANSAS

3. 3
Getting Started with
HeritageQuest OnlinePresentation by Cynthia Hesser
Leavenworth Public Library – Email: refdesk@leavenworth.lib.ks.us
Many PPT slides thanks to: May P. Chan
Prairie History Room Regina Public Library © 2008

4. What is HeritageQuest Online?
A searchable database providing access to U. S.
Federal Census records from 1790 onwards,
PERSI (a PERiodical Source Index to genealogy
and local history periodicals for both the US and
Canada), and digitized copies of genealogy and
local history books.
4

5. HeritageQuest Online vs. Ancestry Library
Edition
HeritageQuest Online’s collection is strongly
American focused whereas Ancestry Library
edition provides access to records from Canada
& the UK
HeritageQuest Online has 6 databases vs.
Ancestry’s 7000+ databases
HeritageQuest Online compliments Ancestry
Library edition
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Main Resources found in HeritageQuest Online
U.S. Census records, 1790-1940
Freedman’s Bank Records, 1865-1874
PERSI (PERiodical Source Index) which is an index
of 6,500 local history & genealogy periodicals and
2.3 million articles
Revolutionary War pension & bounty-land
warrant
Full text of 30,000 local & family histories, from
UMI collection
U.S. Serial set – search memorials, petitions, etc.
of the U.S. Congress

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How Do I Log In to the Databases?
1. In the Internet address bar, type:
http://www.leavenworthpubliclibrary.org and click
“Resources and Training” at top of page.
2. Select “Explore a Topic”.
3. Select a desired genealogy database: Ancestry Library,
Heritage Quest, FOLD3, Digital Sanborn Maps or Genealogy
Connect. “Heritage Quest” and “Genealogy Connect” will
be in the far right column of state database listings in the
group titled “Popular Topics”.

9. Or access: http:/kslib.info
Click “Online Resources”
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10. Select Heritage Quest on right side
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11. Heritage Quest opens in a new tab
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12. Home Page for HQ Online
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13. U. S. Census Returns
HQ Online contains digitized images of
each decennial census from 1790-1940.
Census records from more recent
censuses are not yet available due to 72-
year access restrictions…For this reason the
1940 census just became available in 2012
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14. However…
HQ Online contains name indexes for only 12 of the
decennial censuses, meaning you can only search on
census years that have been indexed
◦To locate information in census years that haven’t
been indexed, you have to use browse functionality.
◦Note: All of the 1930 and 1940 censuses is available
to browse but only a portion is available to search.
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HeritageQuest uses copies of census data
rather than the original census records.
Because these copies only list the head of
households, no other family members are
indexed by HeritageQuest. Therefore, only
heads of households will be retrieved by a
search!
Also keep in mind…

16. Head of Household
•Person who was responsible for the care of the home and/or
family. This could be a husband, widow with children, person
living alone, etc.
•Exceptions included:
–Persons residing within the household who had a
different surname (e.g., a mother-in-law, boarder,
servant, niece).
–All individuals living in institutions (schools, prisons,
hospitals, etc.)
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17. Last but not least…1890 Census
Over 99% of the 1890 population schedules were
destroyed!
Of 62,979,766 persons enumerated in 1890, a total
of 6,160 names could be extracted from the
following states:
◦Alabama, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois,
Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
Ohio, South Dakota and Texas
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Basic Search display
when „Census‟ is
selected

19. Census Results
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20. Saving Your Results
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Ways to save documents

21. Taking Notes & Add to Notebook
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22. Notebook
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23. Advanced Search - Census
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24. Browsing the Census
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25. Searching for Books
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26. Searching People
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27. Search a Surname
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28. Peruse Listing…
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29. View Image…
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30. Or View Hits…
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31. Click on Hits to View…
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32. Book Excerpt
Result Screen
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33. PERSI – Journal Articles
33

34. Searching for
articles
pertaining to…
34

35. Article
Results
List:
35

36. Searching Books!
36

37. View Hits
Results
37

38. Text from
a book:
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39. PERSI
39

40. PERSI - People
40

41. PERSI: People: Leavenworth:
Military
41

42. PERSI People: Leavenworth:
Results
42

43. PERSI Leavenworth:
Article Cited-
Location
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44. PERSI – Places: Leavenworth
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45. Persi – Places; Leavenworth: Military
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46. PERSI
How To:
46

47. Publications tab –
Titles of periodicals
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48. PERSI Publications: KSHS
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49. PERSI Publications: KSHS e.g..
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50. Important Search Tips:
When looking for people in the U.S. Census,
remember that only the heads of the households
are indexed! Otherwise you will have to
“browse” the records to find the individual
No “Soundex” feature which means you will have
to type in the various spellings of a surname if
you are unable to find the desired results
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51. Genealogy Connect

52. Intro to Genealogy Connect
This subscription database from Gale contains more than
500 genealogical and historical references and provides
access to over 1500 works searchable online. Kansas
residents may access the database free of charge at
HTTP://KSLIB.INFO by clicking “Explore Our Resources” and
selecting “Genealogy Connect” in the right column.

53. What Genealogy Connect offers
Gale Genealogy Connect is an advanced online tool for
genealogical research, designed to instruct researchers in
genealogical research methods and help them organize
materials to build optimal family trees. It is powered by
information from Genealogical.com, publishers of works on
genealogy and family history.

54. Features of Genealogy Connect
It features a user interface with instant translation into 38 languages
Unlimited 24/7 simultaneous access
Seamless cross-searching across Gale Genealogy Connect collections
Multi-page viewing (to recreate a book experience)
Ability to print, save, e-mail, and share articles

55. What Genealogy Connect includes
Includes: “how-to” works for doing genealogical research
Colonial period works identifying early American settlers and
chronicling immigration to America
Works that can trace noble and royal ancestries
Histories and source records for Native American tribes

56. Homepage Categories

58. Collecting Dead Relatives

59. Advanced Search

60. Help Guide Options

61. http://kslib.info State Library of
Kansas
Let’s explore… If you brought a laptop and want to explore
with me or independently:
Access the Kansas library site above
Click ‘Explore Our Resources’ in left column
Click ‘Genealogy Connect’ in right column
Let’s go!

62. Text Example - Revolutionary War

63. Finding a Revolutionary War Soldier

64. Major Record Sources
www.dar.org/library/online_research.cfm

65. Pension Records

66. Compiled Military Service

67. Native North Americans -
Pocahontas

68. Fun Stuff – Reference Works; Paper
Trees

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Additional Resources

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Websites
 State Libraries:
http://lists.webjunction.org/libweb/
usa-state.html
 State archives:
www.statearchivists.org/states.htm
 Genealogical societies:
www.usgennet.org/socadmin
 Find the U.S. GenWeb site for county
of interest: www.USGenWeb.org
 *In 2012 a digitized version of all the
LDS microfilm is expected to be
released online.
 http://www.linkpendium.com/
 http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Main
_Page
 http://www.archives.gov/central-
plains/kansas-city/
 http://genealogienetz.de/ has 225
books online with over 3 million
German names indexed.
For information about people in
Rheinland Pfalz area try
http://dilibri.de
A brand new German gen site is
www.kirchenbuchportal.de
 http://RelativelyCurious.OurToolbar.com/
 YouTube.com HQ Tutorial:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-
v1WCvl-ps
URL Country Codes:
www.bitmedia.com/cc/url.htm

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Finale! Thank you for attending 
2 minute YouTube Tutorial on Heritage Quest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-v1WCvl-ps
YouTube Ancestry Library Video Tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwsLDtI95jM
 We hope you will better understand and feel comfortable using
these free genealogy resources as you begin your family history
quest. We will be available at the Reference Desk if you have
further questions. You may also email us your questions at –
 Refdesk@leavenworth.lib.ks.us
 cindyhesser@hotmail.com OR: Sign up for a 1-on-1 Class
 Access this slideshow at: http://www.slideshare.net/cindyhesser/
Presented by Cynthia Hesser, Reference Librarian
Leavenworth Public Library January 25, 2014