With growing interest in family history and with history required in schools, genealogy and local history information is in demand. The State Library provides AncestryLibrary, Heritage Quest and Sanborn Maps as a link to the past to help students and patrons. These resources offer access to historical books, maps, census records, indexes and MUCH more. Be careful—once you start exploring, you might join the family history craze (if you haven’t already!)
AncestryLibrary contains over 4000 different searchable databases and indexes. In addition to census information, you can find historical maps, yearbooks, indexes, as well as marriage, military and other records. One of AncestryLibrary's best features is their continuous index updating and additions, so if you don’t find something today, check back in a few weeks. Here are ways to find out more--an overview handout provided by the SD State Library and a LibGuide reference page with videos, sample searches and help pages provided by AncestryLibrary. If you are new to genealogy, seeking specialized information or gotten stuck somewhere, AncestryLibrary provides tutorials in its Learning Center. Click the Learning Center tab at the top of the page to see the topics covered, including Research Guides.
Due to contract restrictions, AncestryLibrary is available only inside your library or school.
HeritageQuest is available inside the library and from home with a library card. HeritageQuest provides access to census information plus full text historical books, Freedman's Bank records and more. The State Library provides an overview handout, and HeritageQuest provides a LibGuide reference page with videos, sample searches and more. If you are new to genealogy, seeking specialized information or gotten stuck somewhere, HeritageQuest provides tutorials in its Learning Center. Click to choose a collection (such as "Search Census"). Then click the Learning Center tab at the top of the page to see the topics covered.
This handout provided by Proquest compares HeritageQuest and AncestryLibrary. This handout provided by Proquest compares the commercial version of Ancestry to the library edition. You may have seen the commercial version of Ancestry featured on one of Martha Stewart's shows and as the central research point in "Who Do You Think You Are?" Even "CSI" uses Ancestry! In their December 14, 2011 Las Vegas show, "Genetic Disorder," the victim is a genealogist, and investigators use Ancestry to help solve the crime. (Click here to read the blog post on how genealogy impacted the episode.)
The last historical resource we'll look at is Sanborn Maps. Check out historical fire insurance maps for 82 South Dakota communities. Established in 1867, the Sanborn Map Company was the primary source of fire insurance maps for nearly 100 years. Fire insurance maps were used to estimate the potential fire risk for urban structures. Depending on the community and building, one can see details such as construction materials and location of windows and doors. Other details can include street names, house numbers and building use. For example, the 1939 Hill City map indicates that the fire department is a volunteer department composed of 1 chief and 25 men.
Proquest provides complete information about navigating, understanding and using Sanborn Maps here. The original Sanborn Maps were color maps; the digitized image we see is black and white. A black and white legend is provided to correctly interpret the digitized maps. A link to the legend and search tips are provided when in Sanborn Maps. Sanborn Maps are available inside your library and at home with a library card.
Discovery Exercise assignment for Institute participants, please choose, explore and report on any 2 questions about AncestryLibrary and any 2 questions about HeritageQuest and 1 question about Sanborn Maps. Email your responses to Jane Healy.
AncestryLibrary contains over 4000 different searchable databases and indexes. In addition to census information, you can find historical maps, yearbooks, indexes, as well as marriage, military and other records. One of AncestryLibrary's best features is their continuous index updating and additions, so if you don’t find something today, check back in a few weeks. Here are ways to find out more--an overview handout provided by the SD State Library and a LibGuide reference page with videos, sample searches and help pages provided by AncestryLibrary. If you are new to genealogy, seeking specialized information or gotten stuck somewhere, AncestryLibrary provides tutorials in its Learning Center. Click the Learning Center tab at the top of the page to see the topics covered, including Research Guides.
Due to contract restrictions, AncestryLibrary is available only inside your library or school.
HeritageQuest is available inside the library and from home with a library card. HeritageQuest provides access to census information plus full text historical books, Freedman's Bank records and more. The State Library provides an overview handout, and HeritageQuest provides a LibGuide reference page with videos, sample searches and more. If you are new to genealogy, seeking specialized information or gotten stuck somewhere, HeritageQuest provides tutorials in its Learning Center. Click to choose a collection (such as "Search Census"). Then click the Learning Center tab at the top of the page to see the topics covered.
This handout provided by Proquest compares HeritageQuest and AncestryLibrary. This handout provided by Proquest compares the commercial version of Ancestry to the library edition. You may have seen the commercial version of Ancestry featured on one of Martha Stewart's shows and as the central research point in "Who Do You Think You Are?" Even "CSI" uses Ancestry! In their December 14, 2011 Las Vegas show, "Genetic Disorder," the victim is a genealogist, and investigators use Ancestry to help solve the crime. (Click here to read the blog post on how genealogy impacted the episode.)
The last historical resource we'll look at is Sanborn Maps. Check out historical fire insurance maps for 82 South Dakota communities. Established in 1867, the Sanborn Map Company was the primary source of fire insurance maps for nearly 100 years. Fire insurance maps were used to estimate the potential fire risk for urban structures. Depending on the community and building, one can see details such as construction materials and location of windows and doors. Other details can include street names, house numbers and building use. For example, the 1939 Hill City map indicates that the fire department is a volunteer department composed of 1 chief and 25 men.
Proquest provides complete information about navigating, understanding and using Sanborn Maps here. The original Sanborn Maps were color maps; the digitized image we see is black and white. A black and white legend is provided to correctly interpret the digitized maps. A link to the legend and search tips are provided when in Sanborn Maps. Sanborn Maps are available inside your library and at home with a library card.
Discovery Exercise assignment for Institute participants, please choose, explore and report on any 2 questions about AncestryLibrary and any 2 questions about HeritageQuest and 1 question about Sanborn Maps. Email your responses to Jane Healy.
Basic Discovery Exercise:
Discuss and report answers to the following questions and other observations you have about AncestryLibrary, Heritage Quest and Sanborn Maps. All resources can be accessed via this alphabetical list.
1. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be dead to be listed in AncestryLibrary and can frequently find useful information in the U.S. Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002. You may even find your marriage license. Search for your own name in AncestryLibrary and report the results.
2. In AncestryLibrary, search for a grandparent or great-grandparent and see if you can locate them in the census. Report your findings.
3. In AncestryLibrary, type "South Dakota" in the location box and click Search. On the left side of the next screen is a link for Pictures. Click Pictures, see what's there, and look at one or more. Report your findings.
4. In AncestryLibrary, explore and search for anything or anyone in any category other than the census and report your discoveries. Please include which categories you searched.
4. In AncestryLibrary, explore and search for anything or anyone in any category other than the census and report your discoveries. Please include which categories you searched.
5. In HeritageQuest, there are over 28,000 family and local histories in their online historical books. Search for a place or browse the publications. Report back on something that interested you.
6. In HeritageQuest, explore and search for anything or anyone in any category other than the census and report your discoveries. Please include which categories you searched.
6. In HeritageQuest, explore and search for anything or anyone in any category other than the census and report your discoveries. Please include which categories you searched.
Advanced Discovery Exercise:
1. You have heard that the Titanic had a sister ship or two and want more information, including a picture, if possible. You try AncestryLibrary's "Ship Pictures and Descriptions" collection. Report your search and your findings.
2. A student is working on a report about the dirigible, the Hindenburg, and comes to you for help. You try AncestryLibrary's Newspapers & Publications collection. What are your results?
3. Your county is celebrating a big anniversary, and townsfolk want some historical information. In HeritageQuest, which collection do you search? What are your results?
