Virginia Colonial Records, 1600s-1800s

Within the lineages, family histories, vital records and historical essays compiled and indexed in this database, you'll find information on approximately 190,000 individuals. The 22 titles reproduced here are expertly sourced and comprehensive.

Often, you'll have the opportunity to learn not only of your immigrant ancestor's voyage to America but of his or her new life once they settled in New England. 

Among the resources, you may find:
- Biographical sketches of early settlers
- Historical essays on early New England life
- Journal entries detailing the daily struggles of early New Englanders (including entries composed by John Winthrop and compiled by James Savage)

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Massachusetts Probate, Town, and Vital Records, 1600s-1900s

Between 1630 and 1642, approximately 30,000 people left England for Massachusetts. By the time of the American Revolution, nearly everyone still in Massachusetts could trace their ancestry to one of those 30,000 people. This database lists more than 160,000 individuals in probate records, town histories, and vital records. This variety of records allows you to piece together quite a comprehensive record of your Massachusetts ancestors.

Each of the following towns or counties has at least one volume dedicated to it in this Family Archive: Barnstable, Bristol, Duxbury, Eastham, Fairhaven, Haverhill, Middleborough, Orleans, Plymouth, Sandwich, Scituate, Stoneham, and Suffolk. This material may also be of interest to those with early Rhode Island ancestors since Massachusetts' Bristol County included the Rhode Island towns or areas of Bristol, Warren, Barrington, Little Compton, and Tiverton until 1747.

Since its early settlement, Massachusetts has been collecting vital records (births, marriages, and deaths) at the town level. Because these records have been kept locally, however, accessing them today for your research can sometimes be inconvenient. Six of the volumes included here deal specifically with vital records. Some of the titles, such as Vital Records of the Town of Plymouth, are collections of the work of renowned Mayflower scholar George Bowman who methodically transcribed the official records of Massachusetts' town clerks. Vital records usually contain the full name of the individual involved in the event, the date of the event, and the town in which the event took place.

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Immigrants to Pennsylvania, 1600s-1800s

Pennsylvania's most influential early settlement was organized by a Quaker, William Penn. Chartered in 1681 by King Charles II, Penn's colony was primarily made up of English Quakers but also included German, Dutch, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish. Over the next century, Penn's "Holy Experiment" attracted huge groups of immigrants to Pennsylvania. 

Taken from passenger lists, records of indenture, oaths of allegiance, and studies of Quaker immigration from Germany, Holland, and Ireland (including the travels of William Penn), the records compiled here are comprehensive. Included among the ten volumes is the most important work on the mass immigration of Germans to Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania German Pioneers...
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Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, 1850 Census Microfilm Records

With images of the actual census pages (in the census taker's actual handwriting) linked to a heads-of-household index, this database provides unprecedented access to the Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont portions of the 1850 federal census. Approximately 369,000 heads of households are included in the index and approximately 1.2 million individuals can be found within images of the actual census pages.The 1850 census is an especially valuable one for genealogical research because it enumerates every member of a household rather than just the head of it. So, once you find a member of your family, you'll find information about that person and their entire household...

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Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi, 1850 Census Microfilm Records

Approximately 337,000 heads of household listed in the 1850 federal census from four southern states. It includes 123,322 individuals from Alabama, 40,238 individuals from Arkansas, 96,813 individuals from Louisiana, and 76,709 individuals from Mississippi. This database is especially valuable because it includes not only an index to these four states' portions of the 1850 census in their entirety but also images of the actual census pages - in the census taker's own handwriting.Often referred to as the first modern census, the 1850 census employed improved techniques for collecting information. For the first time, enumerators were provided printed instructions that explained their responsibilities, census procedures, and the intent behind census questions. These instructions accounted for a greater degree of accuracy in the census record. If you find evidence of your ancestors in this database, you may be able to determine their property value, marital status, education, location of residence, occupation, and the names of other household residents...

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WWII Collections and FREE access thru May 31

World War II Army Enlistment

Explore Two of Our Most Popular Collections, FREE!

OVER 9 MILLION RECORDS 

WORLD WAR II ARMY ENLISTMENT 

AND 

RECORDS PRISONERS OF WAR RECORDS

For a few days only, our World War II Army Enlistment and World War II Prisoners of War 1941-1946 collections are FREE for all to discover their ancestors among the 9 million names.

Act Fast! These records will be free only until May 31, 2012!  

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California, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, & Utah, 1850 Census Microfilm Records

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Tennessee, 1850 Census Microfilm Records

This data set includes an index to the 1850 census and scanned images of the actual records themselves — in the census taker's own handwriting! In the index, you'll find approximately 200,000 Tennessee heads-of-household, and on images of the actual census pages you'll find information on approximately 960,000 individuals.

Often referred to as the first modern census, the 1850 census employed improved techniques for collecting information. For the first time, enumerators were provided printed instructions that explained their responsibilities, census procedures, and the intent behind census questions. These instructions accounted for a greater degree of accuracy in the census record.

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Barrage Balloons

Barrage balloon vessel

Throughout history, military forces have come up with countless innovations in weaponry and defense. One of these inventions, which came into use during the first and second world wars, was the barrage balloon.

Barrage balloons were essentially large floating mines. They were tethered with heavy cables at low altitudes with the intent of bringing down the dive bombers that plagued enemy cities during World Wars I and II. The idea was that the bombers would collide with the cables or the balloons and be rendered useless. Some balloons were even equipped with small explosives that would pull up against the planes on impact. To avoid the balloons, dive bombers would be forced to fly higher, into the range of very effective anti-aircraft fire... Read More

Alabama Records

Checkout Fold3, they have over 6,391,338 Alabama Records to search through.
Click Here to search for a name, date, place or topic.

Ohio, 1780-1970 County & Family Histories

This data set is unique because it provides not only family histories but county histories as well. You can learn, for example, not only that your ancestor was married in Fulton County in 1800 but what Fulton County was like in 1800. With this information you are able to gain a more complete understanding of your ancestors and the times and locations in which they lived.

You can find the following information on this data set:
- An ancestor's birth date.
- An ancestor's marriage date.
- An ancestor's occupation.
- An ancestor's death date.
- A variety of genealogical source material, including private and public records.
- Information about the county or town in which your ancestor lived.

What are the data sources for this product?
This data set includes information from the following books:
• Ohio, Her Counties, Her Townships, and Her Towns

• Memorial to the Pioneer Women of the Western Reserve, Volumes I and II
edited by Mrs. Gertrude Van Rensselaer Wickham

• Histories of the following counties in Ohio: Coshocton, Wood, Franklin, Pickaway, Fayette, Perry, Butler, Jefferson, Carroll, Harrison, Clinton, Cuyahoga, Erie, Fulton, Geauga, Lake, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Lower Ohio Valley, Marion, Medina, Montgomery, Preble, Sandusky, Seneca, Summit, Stark, Trumbull, Mahoning, Warren, Wayne, Auglaize, Geauga, Mercer, Van Wert, Springfield, Clark.

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Tennessee Marriages, 1787-1866

Search this invaluable collection of marriage records produced with the Genealogical Publishing Company. Resources included were compiled almost exclusively by Edythe Whitley, who spent a lifetime studying the genealogical records of Middle Tennessee...

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Marriage Index: Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington, 1727-1900

Approximately 154,000 individuals who were married between 1727 and 1900 in select Western states and counties.

Marriage indexes can save you research time by telling you that a particular marriage record containing your ancestor's name exists. With the information provided, you may be able to find a newspaper announcement, which may provide more details about the bride, groom, and their families...

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Marriage Index: Maine, 1743-1891

This database contains information on approximately 230,000 individuals who were married between 1743 and 1891 in select Maine counties. Fully indexed, it is a valuable resource because it brings together previously uncollected marriage records and gives you easy access to information that you would otherwise have to obtain from local sources. Information was collected from a variety of sources including the Family History Library and the Maine State Archives...

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14th Chumash Day Powwow and Inter-Tribal Gathering

The Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering was held a few weekends ago at Malibu Bluffs Park, in Malibu. The event features Chumash Inter-Tribal Singers, and hundreds of Native Americans representing tribes from all over the country. Many of the Indians wear colorful regalia while dancing in a sacred circle they formed that overlooking the Pacific Ocean...
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Selected U.S./Internat'l Marriage Records, 1340-1980

This database contains marriage record information for approximately 1,400,000 individuals from across all fifty United States and thirty-two different countries around the world. These records, which include information on more than 500 years of marriages, were compiled over thirty-four years of family history research by professional genealogist Bill Yates. This unique collection of records was extracted from a variety of sources including family group sheets and electronic databases. Originally, the information was derived from an array of materials including pedigree charts, family history articles, queries, letters, Bible records, wills, biographies, and manuscript genealogies...

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Marriage Index: New York #2, 1740s-1880s

This database indexes nearly 100,000 individuals who were married in the state of New York from the mid 1700s to the late 1800s. The marriage records indexed in this database have been collected from a variety of sources including church records, newspapers, census records, and state vital records...

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Cadet Nursing Corps Records

The United States faced a nursing shortage during World War II, as many were sent overseas to support the U.S. Military. The World War II Cadet Nursing Corps records tell the inspiring story of almost 125,000 women who stepped up for nursing training and service at this pivotal point in American history...

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Marriage Index: Selected Areas of New York, 1639-1916

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This database contains marriage information from selected areas of New York for approximately 152,000 individuals. This database contains some of the earliest known church and government marriage information, from 1639, and continues through the 18th and 19th centuries. Marriage information may not be comprehensive for the time and region covered.

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Marriage Index: Ohio, 1789-1850

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This database contains indexes to approximately 303,000 selected marriage records from 85 counties in the state of Ohio. Fulton and Monroe counties are not included, as records from these counties were destroyed by fires. Records indexed may not be comprehensive for the time and region covered.

Listings Include:
- Marriage date.
- Name of each spouse.
- State & County where the marriage was recorded. 

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Marriage Index: District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, 1740-1920

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This data set contains information on approximately 250,000 individuals who were married between 1740 and 1920 in select Mid-Atlantic states. Marriage indexes can save you research time by telling you that a particular marriage record containing your ancestor's name exists. With the information provided, you may be able to find a newspaper announcement, which may provide more details about the bride, groom, and their families.

Once you have the details provided by the marriage index on this resource, you may be able to contact the county in which the marriage took place to request a copy of the original marriage record. Original marriage records can often provide you with more information, such as the names and birthplaces of the bride's and groom's parents, addresses of the bride and groom, information about previous marriages, and witnesses' names.

Listings Include:
- Full names of both spouses.
- Date of the marriage.
- Township in which the marriage was recorded.
- Location of the Family History Library microfilm, microfiche, or book referencing the marriage. 

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Marriage Index: Texas, 1851-1900

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This data collection contains information on approximately 272,000 individuals who were married between 1851 and 1900 in select Texas counties. Fully indexed, it is a valuable resource because it brings together previously uncollected marriage records and gives you easy access to information that you would otherwise have to obtain from local sources.

Listings Include:
- Full names of both spouses.
- Date of the marriage.
- Township in which the marriage was recorded.
- Location of the Family History Library microfilm, microfiche, or book referencing the marriage. 

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AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND RECORDS

Database contains 702970 records (71605 distinct surnames)

Selected states, counties and/or towns (as contributed)

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Marriage Index: Connecticut, 1635-1860

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Approximately 134,000 individuals who were married between 1635 and 1860 in select Connecticut towns.

Starting in 1650, registration of vital events (marriages, births, and deaths) was the responsibility of each town's clerk in Connecticut. Since a fine was charged for not recording an event, some town clerks maintained quite comprehensive records. While recording of vital events lagged from the Revolution to the mid-nineteenth century, recording in all towns improved by 1870 when the State Board of Health was created. This database includes information on marriages that occurred before the establishment of the State Board of Health and, thus, before a centralized repository was established.

Listings Include:
- Full names of both spouses.
- Date of the marriage.
- Township in which the marriage was recorded.
- Location of the Family History Library microfilm, microfiche, or book referencing the marriage. 

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British and American Coats of Arms

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Here you'll find crests, coats of arms, mottoes, and lineages referencing approximately 137,000 individuals. The information collected here ranges from illustrated compilations of coats of arms to definitions of terms used in heraldic research.

Before incorporating a coat of arms into your family history, it is important to note that sharing a surname does not necessarily mean that you share the right to a coat of arms. There is, for example, no such thing as a coat of arms for all people whose surname is Spencer. A coat of arms can only be granted to an individual and, as such, arms are associated with specific lineages rather than surnames. Similarly, many families with different names may share the same coat of arms. To claim a coat of arms as part of your family history, you must trace your lineage to the individual to whom the coat of arms was granted.

In order to discover whether an inherited right to arms exists, it is necessary to trace your male-line ancestry back as far as possible and then examine the official records of the heraldic authority concerned. For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the heraldic authority is the College of Arms and for Scotland the heraldic authority is the Lyon Office.

Books Include:
- American Amoury and Blue Book, 1907 edition.
- Amorial Addenda to the 1907 edition.
- American Amoury and Blue Book, 1903 edition.
- American Amoury and Blue Book, 1911-1923 edition.
- Crozier's General Armory.
- Bolton's American Armory.
- Virginia Heraldica.
- An Ordinary of Scottish Arms.
- Fairbairn's Book of Crests.
- Great Britain & Ireland Crests, Vol. I, Part I.
- Great Britain & Ireland Crests, Vol. I, Part II.
- The General Armory

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Notable British Family Histories, 1600s-1900s

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This database is made up of eleven volumes containing detailed lineages of prominent British families (often with connections to the United States). Produced in collaboration with the Genealogical Publishing Company, this database references approximately 429,000 individuals.

Few names are as highly regarded in English genealogy as Burke's. Not only did the Burkes compile authoritative works on English genealogy, they also created a unique genealogical style, specifically, a method of laying out pedigrees in narrative form. Burke's pedigrees are easy to read, easy to follow, easy to understand. In general, each genealogical study begins with a brief biographical sketch followed by information about that person's lineage. Often, you'll learn details of education, service, occupation, honors, collateral families, places of birth, residence, death, and descriptions of arms. Also among the volumes is the single best reference work ever published on British heraldry, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, along with other volumes of equal quality and value... 

Irish & British Immigrants to America, 1870-1872 Vol. 2

Sail across the Atlantic with your Irish and British ancestors using an all-new CD of passenger records. This volume contains completely new details for approximately 171,200 immigrants! While this data set primarily references Irish and British passengers, you will also find references to passengers who originated from Austria and Scotland. Search this fully indexed data set, referencing arrivals in various U.S. ports, New York, and Canada between 1870 and 1872...

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