Geneology

Numerous Web sites help trace foreign roots

By DONNA MURRAY ALLEN
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 24, 2003

Few Web sites are more tempting to rooters than those offering searchable databases and clues to securing elusive foreign records. That's because we're hoping to find a magic shortcut that will save us hours of trolling through faded microfilm and writing to bureaucrats who wish we'd just go away.

Alas, I don't know a secret path. But I do know that the Mormon Church has the world's largest collection of genealogical records and that you'll end up taking fewer detours if you log on to www.familysearch.org for directions before starting your cyberspace journey. Not only does the site provide guidance for sifting through foreign records, it's possible that the church's library in Salt Lake City has microfilm copies of the documents you want. If so, you need only to visit a local Family History Center to rent and view them.

Feeling lucky? In a hurry? Genealogical Web sites exist for nearly every country. Put the country and genealogy in your search box and see what pops up. Poland+genealogy is an example. If you get lost, log on to Rootsweb at www.rootsweb.com or Cyndi's List at www.cyndislist.com for possible links. Meanwhile, here are some to check out.

Norway: The first site to try is www.rhd.uit.no/indexeng.html, which contains an English version of census records that may be searched online. You'll find a selection of birth and baptismal records and fairly comprehensive immigration records at digitalarkivet.no/index-eng.htm. Go to www.norwayheritage.com/ships/names.htm to search online immigration records.

Germany: One of the best sites for researchers of German extraction is home.att.net/wee-monster, which offers a research outline, searchable databases and a directory of best resources. At www.genealogienetz.de/misc/anfaenger.html you'll find research tips, gazetteers, and maps and links to many other sites, like those for historical and genealogical societies. The German Embassy offers advice at www.germany-info.org. Click on Culture and Life and then on German ancestors.

Italy: At the Italian Genealogy Home Page at www.italgen.com, you'll see a database of surnames; information about Italy's history, geographical regions and naming traditions; and translation tips. POINT (Pursuing Our Italian Names Together) hosts a site at www.cimorelli.com/pie. Research tips include the information contained on an Italian marriage certificate and common American ports of arrival for Italian immigrants. The Italian Embassy at www.italyemb.org gives information on obtaining documents from Italy.

Ireland: The General Register Office at www.groireland.ie is a good place to start. You'll find out what records are available and what aren't. The National Library of Ireland at www.genealogy.ie gives useful background information and the names of researchers. At the Genealogy Society of Ireland's site, www.welcome.to/genealogyireland, you'll find links to just about every topic of interest to Irish researchers. The Irish Times has an online genealogy section at www.Ireland.com. Some information is free. You'll have to pay for the rest.

Scotland: You'll find some things of interest at Scotland.about.com, such as parish records and links to other sites, but you'll have to work for them. Click on People & History and then Researching your UK ancestors. The site at www.genuki.org.uk features information on Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the Isle of Man. The authors suggest checking out a Family History Center before traipsing across the pond. Links to genealogy societies and tips on hiring researchers are also on this site. The Scottish National Archives site is at www.nas.gov.uk. Try the Scottish Genealogy Society site at www.scotsgenealogy.com and the collection of resources at www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/

Scotland/genealogy.html.

Google and Alta Vista are among the best search engines for genealogical pursuits. And Babel Fish will help you with translations at world.altavista.com

-- Donna Murray Allen welcomes your questions about genealogy and will respond to those of general interest. Write to her c/o Floridian, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or e-mail her at rootscolumn@yahoo.com . Or visit her Web site: www.rootsdetective.com.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.