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 A. Introduction

Genealogy is the record or account of the ancestry and descent of a person, or the study of a family. The Internet has increased the availability of information and fueled the popularity of this hobby. Whether you are interested in your ancestors for health reasons, to gain membership in a tribe or group, or just to satisfy your curiosity, the sources below will help you learn what you need to look for and where to find it. Maybe you will even find a way and a reason to contact long-lost relatives.

 B. Subject Headings and Shelf Numbers

  • Genealogy
  • United States—Genealogy
  • Registers of births, etc.
  • Cemeteries
  • Browse call numbers  929.1—929.3 and 976.6
  • Search by county name

 C. Frequently Mentioned Texts

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy by Christine Rose and K.G. Ingalls

Genealogy Online by Elizabeth Powell Crowe

Unpuzzling Your Past: The Best-Selling Basic Guide to Genealogy by Emily Anne Croom

 D. General References, e.g. Guides, Encyclopedia, or Dictionaries

The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America 11th ed. Everton Publishers, c2006

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Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920 by William Thorndale and William Dollarhide

The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy by L.D. Szucs and S.H. Luebking

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The Census Book: A Genealogist's Guide to Federal Census Facts, Schedules and Indexes: With master extraction forms for federal census schedules, 1790—1930 by William Dollarhide

 E. Magazines or Newspapers

  • Oklahoman and Times newspapers dating back to 1894 on microfilm
  • Oklahoman index from 1947-1972 on microfilm
  • Oklahoman Electronic Archives (1901-present)
  • Oklahoma County Newspaper Collection on microfilm
  • Print subscriptions to numerous genealogy magazines, including The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Family Tree Magazine and Internet Genealogy
  • Online subscription to the EbscoHost database that you may use either from home or in the library to search for magazine articles about genealogy

 F. Internet Resources

  • Ancestry Library Edition can be accessed, free of charge, from any of the Metropolitan Library System's public computers.  Ancestry provides access to numerous databases, including U.S. census records. HeritageQuest Online and Footnote can also be accessed from outside the library using your library card number.
  • Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet is a categorized & cross-referenced index to genealogical resources on the Internet.
  • The USGenWeb Project is a group of volunteers working together to provide Internet websites for genealogical research in every county and every state of the United States.

 G. Research Centers, Organizations and Special Collections

  • Family Search is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Familysearch.org is the world's largest family history library as well as numerous family history centers.
  • The Oklahoma Historical Society maintains our state's greatest sources for genealogy research, including thousands of Oklahoma newspapers on microfilm. Search their newspaper collection database.

 H. Videos

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Ancestors: Getting Started With Family History—Describes the importance of genealogical information and how to begin gathering it.

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Ancestors: Discovering Your Heritage—Discusses ways to obtain genealogical information through various types of records.

Prepared by P Davidson
Updated March 2012