The Library has a small collection of local history and genealogy materials for use in the Library. Included are four books to help patrons get started on genealogy research:
- Family Tree Historical Maps Book – Envision your ancestors’ world through hundreds of beautiful full-color reproductions of useful eighteenth and nineteenth century maps. The maps illustrate the historical boundaries of each of the U.S. states as they progressed from territories to statehood and show the shifting of county boundaries and names within states over the years
- How to Do Everything Genealogy – How to start and continue your family history research using traditional records and techniques, as well as the full array of online databases, digitized records, social networks, and other tools. Learn how to organize and create your family tree; find documents about your family; research census documents, military service records, and land and property rolls; plan a successful genealogy research trip; evaluate sources; and other vital skills to help you uncover and illuminate your family’s story.
- The Family Tree Problem Solver – Presents ideas and tips for overcoming common obstacles researching genealogies, including advice on how to find records before civil registration, using censuses, and advanced court records.
- Who Do You Think You Are – This companion guide to the NBC series “Who do you think you are?” contains information on how to research your family history.
The Library also has a collection of Friendship Central School yearbooks.
Sites you may wish to visit:
Ancestry.com
Lists over 274 million names in 1,728 databases, including Social Security, military, and immigration records. Contains both free and subscription-based sources.
Census Finder
Census records are among one of the most often utilized tools for genealogical research. Many censuses are recorded or transcribed and can be found online. Locating free census records online can present a challenge. With a bit of patience, you will find thousands of census links to free census transcriptions, census indexes and census images in our categorized directory.
Find a Grave
Find the graves of ancestors and thousands of famous people from around the world. Create virtual memorials, add ‘virtual flowers’ and a note to a loved one’s grave, etc.
Fulton Historical Newspapers
Here you will find the Cuba Patriot from the first issue to 2009.
FamilySearch Internet Genealogical Service
An exhaustive database, searchable by surname, international geography, and other categories. Sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this site is very popular, and appropriate for any genealogical research. Among the data are: the Social Secruity Death Index (SSDI), U.S. Federal Census for 1880 or the 1881 census for both the British Isles and Canada, a vital records index containing birth, marriage and death records from around the world. A very helpful site and free to all visitors.
The National Archives and Records Administration
The National Archives and Records Administration web site contains a tremendous amount of information on everything from genealogy to White House tape recordings, Presidential Libraries to the Declaration of Independence. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself coming back to this site on a regular basis – it’s full of useful information for all levels of research.
New York State Archives
Portions of Ancestry.com pertaining to New York are free to NY state residents. The New York State Archives partnered with Ancestry to digitize some NY state records of interest to genealogists. Once you enter your zip code, you can sign up for a free account to access these records.
USGenWeb Project
A group of volunteers working together to provide Web sites for genealogical research in every county and every state of the United States. The Project is non commercial and fully committed to free access of genealogy information for everyone. Organization of the site is by county and state, providing links to all the state Web sites which, in turn, provide gateways to the county. USGenWeb also sponsors important Special Projects at the national level. The project provides links to family reunion bulletin boards, state and county historical archives, and national research projects.
The Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild
A group of volunteers focused on transcribing passenger arrival records and publishing their work online so that immigrant arrivals can be more easily found online. Access to this site is free and all researchers are welcome to share transcriptions they may have already completed. The site currently has free access to more than 7,000 individual passenger manifests and this number continues to grow.
The National Genealogical Society
This non-profit organization was formed in 1903 for the benefit of all levels of genealogy (beginner to professional) and promotes education, a high standard of research principles and scholarly practices, and interest in genealogy, family history, and a range of other related activities. With over 17,000 members, the NGS provides training, research assistance, news, and other resources. Recently, they merged with the Federation of Genealogical Societies, an umbrella organization whose membership is made up of the hundreds of genealogical and historical societies in the United States, as well as some international organizations. With more than 500 member societies, FGS has a collective membership numbering in the tens-of-thousands. Each year, representatives an delegates from many of these societies gather for an annual conference. A quarterly publication, FORUM, contains an assortment of articles of interest to societies and their membership.
The Association of Professional Genealogists
A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a high set of professional and ethical standards for genealogy research. With more than 1,500 members, the expert knowledge of their members covers a wide range of geographic, ethnic, and other specialties.
Census Records
This site is maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau and is useful for basic information about census records and how to search them. A great learning resource for census research.
Pier 21
Canada’s equivalent to Ellis Island. From 1928 to 1971 this port received over one million immigrants, wartime evacuees, refugees, troops, war brides and their children. In 1999, Pier 21 reopened after a renovation of the historic building and now pays tribute to those who passed through its doors.
Library of Congress
A tremendous variety of material on many subjects relating to American history, veterans, and other areas sure to be of interest to any genealogist. Of particular interest, you should be sure to see the American Memory section which provides access to many photographs, maps, historic documents, as well as audio and video. An especially useful site for educators.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Genealogy Research Resource Suggestions