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4.0. ONLINE RESOURCES
Latest Update: 18 August 1996 (Pointers to web sites added)
***** 4.0. ONLINE RESOURCES *****
keyword: FindOnline
Since you're already "wired", it may not surprise you to learn that one of the best research
resources at your disposal is the Internet itself. As a resource it can shine in many different
ways. It will bring you into contact with others who have genealogical knowledge. If
you're lucky, you may even find members of your own family tree.
The Internet allows you to find, send and receive leads and data quickly. Because it is
electronic, it helps you to assimilate that information quickly into your own genealogy
database. Most commercial genealogical programs support GEDCOM (Genealogical
Communications protocol), which allows people to share information between separate
computers using different software and operating systems.
Just consider computer genealogy without the Internet. (For chills, harken back to the "good
old days" of file cards and notebooks...) If Ignatz, in Hungary, and Maria, in the USA,
both join a worldwide genealogy society and discover they are researching the same
surnames, Ignatz takes all the family tree info he has on his computer, copies it onto a floppy
disk and sends it the parcel ("snail-mail" really) to Maria. Maria must then wait, and when
it arrives, hope that the disk wasn't damaged and is compatible with her computer and
software.
Or consider this more time consuming alternative. Ignatz might have generated a paper
printout and mailed that, leaving poor Maria to spend hours/days/weeks/months typing and
proofreading to get the information into her computer.
In both cases, the problem is that the information had to turn into atoms which take time to
transport and handle. With the Internet, it could have arrived in Maria's computer quickly
and easily, hopefully in a GEDCOM format. However, even data in an ASCII format can
be more easily manipulated in a word processing format than the other methods.
But, the biggest advantage of the Internet is not just data transference. It is communication.
Ignatz and Maria discovered each other much sooner than they did by waiting for publication
of an annual "surnames wanted" catalogue.
With this in mind, let's take a look at some of the tools you can use to make the Internet
work for you.
***** 4.1. Usenet *****
keyword: FindNet
Think of the Usenet, sometimes called netnews or newsgroups, as an enormous wall of
bulletin boards spanning the globe. To introduce some sanity into all of the posted messages
(at the time of this writing, the Usenet is generating approximately four hundred thousands
words per day), each newsgroup is dedicated to a different and specific topic.
Several newsgroups specialize in genealogy. Part of the reason the Usenet is so popular is
that it is available on virtually every system. Originated on UNIX systems, it is now
available on commercial networks such as America Online, CompuServe, and Prodigy, in
addition to other direct and indirect Internet service providers.
The basic structure of the Usenet is to post a message with a Subject and a Message. One
can scan the Subject headings created by others and then select and read the full message of
postings which interest them. Return messages can be sent to the bulletin board as replies or
postings, or e-mail can be sent directly to the poster's e-mail address.
***** 4.2. GENEALOGY NEWSGROUPS *****
keyword: FindNews
** soc.genealogy.german ** This is the
place to post your German surnames to see which other researchers may be working on
them.
This is also a great place to ask questions about things such as the whereabouts of German
towns, the meaning of German surnames, modern translations of occupations, etc.
For those who cannot access the Usenet, this newsgroup also is available as a daily e-mail
digest (GEN-DE-L). The need for this ancillary service should disappear as more service
providers sign up for Usenet. If you lack Usenet access, ask how to subscribe to
GEN-DE-L.
The soc.genelogy.german FAQ is a great resource. It includes Donauschwaben material, and
is indispensable
once you trace your ancestors back beyond the Banat. Actually, there is no single FAQ, but
rather a series of
FAQ files. To get a list of them, one should send e-mail to the address:
LISTSERV@RZ.UNI-KARLSRUHE.DE
and in the body of the message include only the command
get GEN-DE-L FAQ-IND
To get a file named in the returned list, use
get GEN-DE-L filename
where "filename" stands for the actual file to be retrieved.
These FAQ's are also available via the World Wide Web from the German Genealogy home
page:
http://www.genealogy.com
and via anonymous ftp to the host
RZ.UNI-KARLSRUHE.DE
(For more information about the World Wide Web see 4.4 Keyword FindWeb).
Finally, the soc.genealogy.german archive is available at:
http://www.uni-karlsruhe.de/~listserv/arch/GEN-DE-L.html
** soc.genealogy.surnames ** This is
another good place to post your surnames of interest. In fact, it's probably even more useful
to post your surnames here than in it is on soc.genealogy.german because once you do so,
they will be forever archived for future researchers to find. (see 4.4 FindWeb -- the Roots
Page for more information)
This whole newsgroup devoted to nothing but surname searches. The newsgroup is
moderated, and posted requests require a special format in the subject line, but if you read
the group, the format will become apparent. This newsgroup's FAQ also details the
necessary format and geographical abbreviations used in the postings. In addition, your
posting will go to a human moderators who can in assist with posting requests.
** soc.genealogy.french ** The
equivalent to soc.genealogy.german, for those with French ancestors. Many Donauschwaben
came from the Habsburg lands in Alsace and Lorraine. Many originally spoke French and
had French surnames which were later
"Germanized".
** soc.genealogy.computing **
General discussions on how to use your computer and its software to assist your research,
organize your findings, and produce reports. Haven't purchased software yet? Check out this
newsgroup for the plusses and minuses of various programs.
** soc.genealogy.methods ** General
discussions of the "how-to" of genealogical research, organization, and presentation of data.
Discussions of standards and evidence are also posted.
** soc.genealogy.medieval ** A more
specialized group for researchers who have managed to track their ancestry all the way back
to the Middle Ages (pre-1600).
** soc.genealogical.marketplace
** Where genealogists, genealogical software providers, booksellers, and others
advertise their products, and seekers can post their "wants". Basically, a genealogical
electronic classified ad section.
** soc.genealogy.misc and alt.genealogy ** Two separate newsgroups
discussing anything genealogy-related (non-commercial).
** other newsgroups: ** (list is constantly expanding)
soc.genealogy.benelux (Luxembourg was once part of Lorraine--check this
out)
soc.genealogy.jewish
soc.genealogy.nordic
fr.rec.genealogie (in French)
fido.ger.genealogy (in German)
fido.eur.genealogy
Other newsgroups are proposed, and the RFD's (Requests for Discussion), votes, and
announcements are generally cross-posted to the soc.genealogy newsgroups. The
soc.genealogy groups are "spin-offs" of soc.roots, which is now defunct. It is unknown if
soc.roots was archived.
***** 4.3. WORLD WIDE WEB: *****
keyword: FindWWW
If the Usenet is a wall of bulletin boards, the World Wide Web (WWW or Web) can be
compared to an entire mall of store fronts. Home pages provide both information and
graphics, and provide easy access to other sites via "links". Anyone familiar with
Macintosh's Hyper Card will find the programming easy to navigate. Home pages are
created by individuals, commercial organizations, and educational institutions.
Most providers of Internet access do have some form of Web "browsers". These providers
include America Online, CompuServe and Prodigy. Many UNIX systems can access the
WWW via a limited mechanism called "Lynx" (text only, no graphics). Third-party
software Web Browsers, such as Netscape and Mosaic, are commonly available in computer
stores.
The WWW differs from the Usenet because it can utilize graphics as well as text. Its
repositories of information, ease of use, and the convenience of each site's ready access to
other sites, are its greatest assets.
For example, suppose you are having trouble reading the Gothic script of some 200-year-old
church records. There is a Web page which shows you what each of those unfamiliar
Gothic letters looks like and translates their appearance into more familiar Roman script.
Each page on "the Web" has a unique, worldwide address, which is technically called its
Uniform Resource Locator (URL). URL's usually start with "http://www" and are followed
by more letters/symbols which look like a cryptographer's dream.
To get to a particular Web page, just type its URL into your Web Browser. It looks like a
lot of typing, but actually it's not that bad, for two reasons.
First, many Web pages refer to, or "link" to other Web pages on similar topics. When they
do this, all you
have to do is click on the highlighted text and you're sent to the the referenced page.
Second, most browsers have a "hot list" or "bookmark" function. Once you get to a page
you like, you just
add it to your memory of favorite Web sites.
By the way, the URL which displaying those Gothic letters we mentioned is on a sub-page of
the URL
http://www.genealogy.com
The Web is so new that frankly no one knows what its limits are. And, it is so extensive no
one can maintain a catalogue of its contents. If you find, read, or hear of an interesting
site, record its URL. Otherwise you may not be able to find the site the next time you
"surf". Now let's look at some of the more useful Web sites out there today.
***** 4.4. WEB GENEALOGY SITES *****
keyword: FindWeb
*** The German Genealogy pages:
http://www.genealogy.com
These pages are a compendium of resources, including, maps, place names and locations,
handwriting, information on joining the AKdFF (a German-based Donauschwaben
genealogical society), Heimatbuecher and Ortssippenbuecher lists, and many other items.
The primary focus of this Web site is German genealogy. A complete description is
impossible as the pages are being enchanced almost daily. Revisiting this page every couple
weeks to check out the "What's New" section is highly recommended! One place that should
not be missed is the Donauschwaben Web page linked within this site under the topic
Regional Research.
*** Federation of East European Family History Societies (FEEFHS)
pages:
http://feefhs.org
This Federation is a genealogy umbrella for societies, organizations and persons doing
Central and East European research. FEEFHS represents over 130 member organizations and
many individual record searchers from novice thru professional
genealogists and professional translators. This site now
has all the maps of Central and Eastern Europe - see the Map Room Index.
This FEEFHS web site provides the Banat Genealogy
Society HomePage at this URL: http://feefhs.org/banat/frgbanat.html
FEEFHS is also the web site home for this Banat FAQ
http://feefhs.org/banati/banati.html - you are reading now.
*** The Roots Search page:
http://www.rand.org/cgi-bin/Genea/rsl
This site is the other end of soc.genealogy.surnames described above. After you have
submitted your surnames to soc.genealogy.surnames, go to this archive and find out whether
anyone else has submitted the same names. If you find any, their e-mail address will be
available and you may find a gold mine of research already done for you!
In addition, the Roots Search page also now features a locality database. You may register
yourself as a researcher of a particular locality and find other researchers working in the
same area. Note that simply sending in your surnames does not register your localities -- it
must be done separately.
Note: should you ever change your e-mail address, be sure to go to this page and update
your records so that future researchers can still find you.
Rule #1 of genealogy: don't re-do work already done for you;
Rule #2: Document--someone down the road may have conflicting data, and your
descendants may want to find the original sources; and
Rule #3: type it once--that's what good genealogy software provides
The Roots Search info may also be reached via anonymous ftp to ftp.genealogy.com
*** Timisoara Page:
http://www.info.polymtl.ca/zuse/tavi/www/timi.html
Access the Timisoara (formerly Temesvar or Temeschburg) page, and you are right in the
middle of the Banat! If you are having difficulty getting information out of Romania, they
may be able to help -- the amount of research, fees, and methods of payment are negotiable.
Try:
http://www.med.uni-giessen.de/~geneal/foko.html
The Forscher Kontakte or FoKo service is a database of German researchers located at the
University of Giessen, Germany. On this page you can enter a surname or town and find out
who else in Germany may already be researching these subjects. The researcher may not be
on the Internet, but it is possible to receive their snail-mail address.
*** Maps of Europe:
The FEEFHS Map Room at the URL
http://feefhs.org/maps/indexmap.html contains 51 maps, most of the year 1882,
covering all of Central and Eastern Europe, including the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the
German Empire, the Russian Empire, the Balkans andd Greece as well as Asian Russia.
Another source is: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/europe.html
*** German libraries on-line:
http://www.hbz-nrw.de/hbz/germlst.html
***** 4.5.OTHER WEB SITES FOR NON-GERMAN GENEALOGY *****
keyword: FindOther
*** Hungary Home Page:
http://www.fsz.bme.hu/hungary/homepage.html
*** Novi Sad Home Page (with references to Vojvodina, Serbia, etc.):
http://www.ecn.uoknor.edu/~nsfdesmm/vojvodina/novisad/ns.html
*** Helm's Genealogy Toolbox (an attempt to link all known genealogy
sites)
http://uxl.cso.uiuc.edu/~al_helm/genealogy.html
*** Matthew Helm's Surname Index of Web Sites:
http://alesxia.lis.uiuc.edu/~helm/si.html
*** Yahoo (Stanford University reference site/Genealogy Collection):
http://www.yahoo/Science/genealogy
*** Genealogy Online:
http://genealogy.org/
*** Rand Genealogy Club Home Page:
http://www.rand.org/personal/Genea/
*** Everton Genealogy Page (commercial publisher of books and
charts):
http://gnn.com/gnn/wic/geneal.05.html
*** National Genealogical Society:
http://genealogy.org/NGS/
(includes NETGUIDE and also promotion and instruction in professionalism, i.e.
documentation and evidence in genealogy)
***** 4.6. SOUTHEAST EUROPE RESEARCHERS LIST (SERL) *****
keyword: FindList
Roughly once a month, one of the list's members posts a compilation of people who are
researching ancestors of any nationality in the modern countries of Hungary, Romania,
Croatia and the successor states to the former Yugoslavia.
This SouthEast Europe Researcher's List (SERL) is updated
frequently. These updates are posted for a week on theFEEFHS FrontPage
and are available on this FEEFHS web site.
On this list you will find the researcher's name, the surnames and villages they are
researching and an e-mail address for contacting the researcher. You are welcome to add
your name, research interests and any special resources you may have available by sending
the information to Norbert Bambach via e-mail:
norbertb@tso.cin.ix.net
He can also be reached at 72730.633@compuserve.com
***** 4.7 LIBRARIES ONLINE *****
keyword: FindLibOnline
Hear or read of a good book, but it's out of print and not for sale? Why not try the library?
It's not at your
local library? How about searching one or more libraries from your computer? If you have
gopher or telnet
access, there are several ways to find the book and then request it via Interlibrary Loan (see
FindLibrary).
What you want to do is to search the fewest number of databases that will give you the best
results. So you
need the largest databases, i.e., library catalogs. The largest *individual* catalog is the
Library of Congress,
which is available via gopher or telnet. But there are other library networks which also are
useful.
*** Library of Congress
The Library of Congress card catalog is available through the telnet interface. To use, try
telnet or gopher to
the address
locis.loc.gov
Instructions for use of the catalog are given once you connect.
*** University of Minnesota
The center of gopherdom -- gopher here to find out the latest in addresses of many other
libraries (5,000+ are indexed each month, another 5,000+ are partially indexed). To get to the
University of Minnesota, simply start up gopher with the argument
gopher.tc.umn.edu
*** MELVYL
The online catalog for the University of California system (all eight campuses, plus the
California State Library
= 12.5 million books). Of particular interest to genealogists is CSL's Sutro branch in San
Francisco, devoted entirely to genealogy.
melvyl.ucop.edu
*** CARL.
The Colorado Association of Research Libraries' network. This includes a lot more than
Colorado libraries,
from Florida to Hawaii.
pac.carl.org
*** Harvard University:
hollis.harvard.edu
Once connected, hit [enter] and then type in the word hollis
*** ILLINET
The Illinois State University system.
[address unknown]
*** German libraries on-line
Most of these German libraries are accessable using gopher and all support telnet. Many of
these may also be
discovered by first visiting University of Minnesota (see above) or by a visit to the WWW
site mentioned above
(see FindWeb).
UB Augsburg:....................137.250.100.3
UB Bamberg:.....................141.13.170.2
Berlin (Humboldt-Uni) Fachbibliothek Geschichte:........141.20.80.1
UB Bielefeld:.......................number unknown
UB Dortmund:...................129.217.128.1
UB Duesseldorf:.................134.99.136.100
UB Erlangen:.....................131.188.2.43
UB Frankfurt/Oder:.............193.174.120.8
UB Goettingen:..................134.76.160.32
UB Hannover:...................193.174.126.12
UB Heidelberg:..................129.206.100.126
UB Koeln:........................134.95.52.208
UB Konstanz:....................134.34.3.5
UB Marburg:....................137.248.219.18
UB Muenster:....................128.176.249.167
UB Muenchen:...................129.187.10.12
Staatsbibliothek Muenchen:......129.187.10.12
UB Saarbruecken:.................number unknown
UB Wuppertal:.....................132.195.15.2
Verbundkatalog Deutsches Bibliotheksinstitut Berlin:.......129.143.3.19
Verbundkatalog Nordrhein-Westfalen:..........193.30.112.2
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