An Introduction to Genealogy at the State Library

Lay of the Land and Rules of the Road:
An Overview of What the State Library Has in Genealogy and Where to Find It

Before you come to the State Library (or any library)...

• Gather information on your family from relatives and family friends.
  • Names
  • Relationships
  • Dates of births, deaths and marriages
  • Places of residences
  • Religious/fraternal affiliations
  • Nationalities
  
  Where to find the information:
  • Letters
  • Diaries
  • Photos
  • Obituaries
  • Tombstones
  • Family Bibles
  • Any other family records
  
  
• Standardize the records so your material is understandable and quickly found.

  Books with the 929 call number can provide information on conducting genealogical searches and organizing genealogical records. Some examples from the State Library's collection:

  • Searching for Your Ancestors by Gilbert H. Doane
    929,D63
  • Organizing Your Family History Search by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack
    929.1,qC287

  Example of a Research Log (from Family Search)

  
  
• Chart the information to clarify relationships and show omissions.
  
  
  • Example of a Four Generation Chart - pdf file (from the Capital District Genealogy Society)
  • Example of a Personal Information Chart - pdf file (from the Capital District Genealogy Society)

Start Filling in the Gaps Using the Resources of the New York State Library

Resources

• Federal and New York census microfilm, indexes and Soundex
  
• City Directories
• Card File Indexes
• Books
• Online catalog, online databases and CD-ROM products

Equipment

• Microfilm and microfiche readers: Use the readers to locate the page(s) you need.
  
  
• Microfilm and microfiche printers: Then go to the printers to print the page(s).
  
  
• Scanners and photocopiers: Handling and photocopying can be hazardous to the rare and fragile volumes in the collection. Many volumes have been microfilmed or microfiched. Please make copies from a microform version if one is available. If a microform is not available, use the scanner/copiers where you can lay the book down face up.
  
  

Staff and Volunteers

Although Library staff cannot conduct genealogical searches for you, they will provide on-site assistance in the use of the collections, suggest research strategies, and provide referrals to sources not available in the State Library.

Volunteers from the Capital District Genealogical Society are also available to provide assistance. The volunteers can explain the resources of the Library (including the online catalog) and help users get started doing research. The volunteers use a desk located close to the service desk. Please feel free to consult with them as well as with the Reference Services staff at the Local History/Genealogy Service desk.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, open drawers, take books off shelves, play with the databases!

Telephone Numbers

Reference Desk - (518) 474-5355
Local History/Genealogy Desk - (518) 474-5161
Microforms Desk - (518) 474-3092

Last updated: June 14, 2001/dvm
URL: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/genealogy/bb/intro1.htm