ARTICLE - More searchable databases for family history researchers and genealogy

More Searchable Online Databases for Genealogists
Article posted: 13 April, 2006
By: Rick Roberts, Global Genealogy & History Shoppe

Here are some searchable (free) web sites that may be helpful in the quest for your roots:

UK Women's Army Auxiliary Corps records online New from the National Archives in the UK: Over 57,000 women served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps between 1917 and 1920. An air raid in 1940 destroyed many of their service records but over 7,000 survived. You can now search these surviving records online for the first time. The service records include a variety of material for example:
- An enrolment form, including name, age, address, parent's nationality and marital status statement of services which records grade, location, promotions and the name and address of next-of-kin
- Other documents such as: identification certificate, employer's and other references, application form, casualty form, clothing history sheet (with details about the uniform issued to each woman). The original documents suffered substantial fire, water and mould damage and this left some text in poor contrast. The microfilms were of the highest quality obtainable and during filming, every effort was made to maximise image retention.

Boston, USA Passenger Manifests - Searchable. The Massachusetts Archives holds Boston passenger manifests for the years 1848-1891. Over one million immigrants came through the Port of Boston during this time period. Through the Archives' Volunteer program volunteers are entering this information into a computerized database. The Passenger Manifest Search provides access to an index of the records with updates and new entries being added regularly. The search contains such information as "name, age, sex and occupation of the immigrant; the country of birth, last residence and the passenger list number." The database is also a great source for finding Canadians who moved between the Atlantic provinces and Boston. Please remember, if you do not find a name, check back because entries are being added regularly.

British History Online British History Online contains a variety of printed soruces for England. The site provides free access to both primary and secondary sources for the medieval and modern history of the British Isles. Built by the Institute of Historical Research and the History of Parliament Trust, this is the digital library of British historical sources for historians of Britain located worldwide seeking access to, and cross-searching of, an interconnected range of historical sources. Many of these sources have great value for family historians. For example, a number of titles in the Victoria County History series have been placed online as well as maps and plans, assize records, hearth tax returns, tutor subsidy rolls (including the 1541 Orphans' book of London), medical practitioners in London 1550-1640 and much more.

Discover the Penetanguishene, Ontario Centennial Museum and Archives online The past of one of the most historic towns west of Quebec City is proudly on display at the 128 year old Museum and Archives. The Museum has been carefully preserved and recreated to show a bygone era when John A. MacDonald was the Canada’s Prime Minister and Victoria was Queen of the Commonwealth. Family historians will be pleased to discover the Genealogy Room in the Archives and Museum. The core of the research center consists of the Georgian Bay Heritage League Collection. This collection contains over 500 genealogical files and numerous local history books. For those at a distance, the archival and artefact collection can be searched online. Discover more about this historic area by visiting their website

The Shamrock and the Maple Leaf: Irish-Canadian Documentary Heritage at Library and Archives Canada Library and Archives Canada is pleased to announce the launch of The Shamrock and the Maple Leaf: Irish-Canadian Documentary Heritage at Library and Archives Canada. This Web exhibition embodies a dynamic, ongoing collaboration between Library and Archives Canada and the National Archives of Ireland -- two institutions that are dedicated to sharing our unique documentary heritage with the world. Funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Canadian Culture Online initiative, The Shamrock and the Maple Leaf features photographs, art, archival documents and musical recordings, together with thematic essays written by experts in Irish-Canadian studies from across Canada and Ireland. Exhibition themes include Irish migration and integration, rural and urban communities, law and order, literature and Irish-Canadian collective memory.