Update: E-Reference Ratings—Genealogy

Genealogy

Ancestry Library Edition. Generations Network.

Probably the best-known subscription-based genealogical resource, this is very popular with library users and a usual starting point. With 25,000 searchable collections and titles, it is a breeze to use; it is also filled with millions of names, indexes, maps, census records (1790–1930), downloadable charts, and photos. Unfortunately, the library edition (available only through ProQuest) does not support remote access or features like social networking and treemaking (personal subscriptions, on the other hand, do). One of the best genealogical resources around—possibly the best—this is essential for most libraries. The product is better known as Ancestry.com to individual subscribers.

Family Tree Connection. Genealogy Today.

Part of Genealogy Today, a web site that hosts free and subscription-based databases (others include New England Early Genealogy and Town Reports Online), this resource provides access to secondary sources like yearbooks, city directories, Masonic rosters, and church records. Browsable by U.S. regions or record type, it grows by 250,000 names each year and is currently up to 1,480,000 names. Libraries need to go through

Footnote.com. Footnote.

This social networking site brings together over 40 million original historical documents and continues to grow by "millions each month." Through a unique partnership with the National Archives, it recently added "the first ever" interactive World War II collection, which includes an interactive version of the USS Arizona Memorial, World War II Hero Pages, and World War II photos. Other material includes the Matthew Brady collection of Civil War photos and UFO documents from 1947–69. With an appeal reminiscent of the History Channel, this smartly designed resource lets you create a gallery of photos, family trees, and much more. Cutting-edge in every way.

Genealogy Bank. NewsBank.

Pulling data from over 3700 historical newspapers, this growing resource provides information on millions of American families from 1690 to today. Recently added publications include the Oregonian from Oregon and the Grand Rapids Press from Michigan. Also featured are books, documents, and Social Security Death Index information. Like NewsBank, the site is unadorned but functional. While not strong on bells and whistles or linking, it boasts an impressive 116 million obituaries (going back to 1977) and death records. Larger libraries focusing on genealogy would find the regional information valuable.

Genealogy.com. Generations Network. Made up of Family Tree Maker, Genealogy Library, World Family Tree, U.S. Census Records, and International & Passenger Records through different subscription levels, Genealogy.com provides access to over 1.8 billion names. Packed with options, it lets users create a family tree, communicate on message boards, take an online class, and even design a virtual cemetery. The Genealogy Learning Center is a great feature for those needing guidance. Although other products offer similar options, this one consolidates the information in quite a varied package on one site; the result is a multifaceted genealogical experience.

Heritage Quest. ProQuest.

A standard in public libraries, Heritage Quest (acquired by ProQuest in 2001) comprises 140 million census names and 1.9 million genealogical and local history citations through PERSI (The Periodical Source Index), which covers genealogical periodicals since 1800. It also includes the census images (1790–1930), along with Revolutionary War materials and Freedman's Bank Records for African American information. The product is available through libraries, offers remote access (a big plus), and is complementary to Ancestry Library Edition (see p. 126) in that both offer different digitized census records; patrons often switch between the two to find which has the better reproduction.

OneGreatFamily.com. OneGreatFamily.

This resource claims to be "the world's largest online family tree," including millions of names and records. What makes it unique is that everyone is connected on a "single online family tree," but users also have a version of their own view (i.e., they maintain their own separate tree in addition to being connected to a "single online family tree"). Two user paths are offered: "Just looking for your family tree" for the curious and "Seriously researching your genealogy" for genealogists. Noteworthy features include the Genealogy Learning Center, online records management, printable forms, and a newsletter. Solid and consistent throughout.

The Origins Network. The Origins Network.

Formerly Origins.net, this is the place to go for British, Irish, and Scottish origins information. Subscriptions are offered separately—i.e., for British origins only or total access to all three—with the British section being far more robust than the other two, currently boasting 50 million names. Included are exclusive British and Irish record collections dating back to the 13th century as well as rare photos and books. The Irish section offers Griffith's Primary Valuation of Ireland, "the most important database for Irish genealogy research prior to the 20th century." Types of collections include court and marriage records, wills, apprenticeships, and survey maps. U.K. specialty is clearly the product's strength, as is the affordable price tag. For treemaking and social networking in the U.K., consider also

World Vital Records.com. FamilyLink.com.

Proclaiming access to over one billion records worldwide and 800 million U.S. names, World Vital Records was founded by Paul Allen, Ancestry.com's first CEO. The product includes many databases, birth, marriage, death, census, and military records, as well as family trees, newspapers, and newsletters. Recently added collections include British Roots of Maryland Families and East Tennessee's Forgotten Children: Apprentices from 1778 to 1911. The site aims to compete with Ancestry.com by being more affordable. Since budgeting is becoming more of an issue, who knows? Keep your eye on this one.