By Frankie Meyer
Globe Columnist
JOPLIN, Mo. —
The Web site at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com has several databases that are available to nonmembers as well as members.
When the site opens, look at the choice called “Search Engines and Databases.” Notice that it contains databases called “Meta Search.” Click on that choice. At the next screen, click on “Meta Search” again.
The next screen has a box for entering a surname and a box to enter a given name.
When doing this type of general search, I always enter an unusual name from my family line. This approach helps eliminate databases that do not relate to my line.
For example, some of my Capps ancestors were named Phoebe, William, Bazlith, Leah, Sarah, Jacob, Eva, Willis, Thomas and Elizabeth. Three of the names (Phoebe, Bazlith and Willis) are unusual and would be good ones to enter.
For my first venture on “Meta Search,” I chose to enter Capps as the surname and Phoebe as the given name. After entering the surname and given name, I clicked on the “Search” button.
The screen noted that matches were found in two of 46 databases. I then clicked on the “World Connect Database” on the left. When the next screen opened, the site provided a list of 59 researchers who had submitted databases that contained that name.
I will call this screen the home screen, since it provides several types of information. After each type is searched, the user will want to return to this home screen to try a new type of approach.
The types of information to be learned are names of other researchers, census records that list an ancestor, details about the ancestor’s life and other resources.
To learn the names of other researchers, click on one of the databases. An e-mail address will be provided for the person who submitted that database.
The site also lists the date that the info was sent to the site. Through this section, you can obtain dozens of e-mail addresses of other researchers of your family line.
To obtain details about your ancestor, return to the home screen and click on the left on each entry for your ancestor. You will learn the names of his or her spouses, parents, brothers and sisters. Be cautious of this info, beccause it may be wrong ÑÊuse it only as clues for future research.
To obtain a list of census records that list your ancestor, return to the home screen and click on the right on “Census Records.” The site then lists each census record that lists your ancestor. It also lists the date, location of the residence, name of spouse and birth date.
This data can be recorded and used for further research at a local library that subscribes to ancestry.com, since only members have access to images of the actual census records.
To obtain a list of resources that might help you in the future, return to the home screen and click on the button for “Histories” on the right. The site then provides a list of resources, such as books, journals, newspaper articles, obituaries and cemetery records that list your ancestor.
Suggestions or queries? Send to Frankie Meyer, P.O. Box 731, Joplin, Mo. 64801, or contact: frankiemeyer@yahoo.com.
