BSGC Favorite Web Links

Web Links

On this page, we have included numerous links to sites general interest to genealogists at various levels of experience. If you are aware of others, please submit them to us, and we will add them to future updates of our site. Our goal is to make this page an invaluable reference tool, not only for the members of our club, but for anyone who is interested in genealogical research.

	Major Genealogy Sites
	Special Interest Links
	Genealogy Software
	Major Search Engines

Genealogy Sites

	Ancestry.com
	Rootsweb
	Heritage Quest
	Cyndi's List
	Ellis Island
	FamilySearch.org
	Genealogy Gateway
	RootsWeb Mailing Lists
	Lee County Florida Genealogy, Fort Meyers: Resources For Family ...
	Lee County Genealogical Society

Special Interest Links

	Florida State Genealogical Societies
	Genealogical Society of Collier County, Florida
	Lee County, Florida Genealogical Society
	Melungeons (submitted by Betty Griffith ~ BSGC)
	Genealogy Study Guides from the Lee County Library (by Bryan Mulcahy)
	Lee County Research Resources
	Lee County Library Genealogy Department Shelf List
	Collier County Library Genealogy Page

Southwest Florida Computer User Groups (Invaluable Help for those who want to improve their computer skills)

	PCBug Sig Group
	Southwest Florida PC User Group

Genealogy Software

	Family Tree Maker
	Personal Ancestry File (PAF ~ Free downloads)
	The Master Genealogist

Major Search Engines

	Google
	Yahoo
	Alta Vista
	MSN

Genealogy Study Guides
Fort Myers-Lee County Library

The information contained within the pages of these Genealogy Study Guides will help you on your genealogical research journey. They were compiled by Bryan Mulcahy, Reference Librarian at the Fort Myers-Lee County Library in Fort Myers, FL. They are provided here for your personal reference by the Lee County Genealogical Society. These study guides will provide you with basic facts pertaining to genealogy research, but should not be considered a substitute for either materials compiled or written by professional researchers, or for joining a local genealogical society.

You will need the Adobe Acrobat reader to view and print all Genealogy Study Guides. If you do not have the Acrobat reader on your computer, it can be downloaded free by clicking here.

Please be patient when downloading the Study Guides. They make take up to several minutes to fully load onto your computer.

These guides are for personal use only.
Reproduction of any portion for commercial use is strictly prohibited.


Beginning Genealogy - The Basics
	Beginning Genealogy Seminar
	Family History: A Concise Beginner's Overview
	Genealogy: Nation's Leading Hobby
	General Information Locator
	Genealogy Source Overview and Checklist
	Home Sources
	Genealogical Research Logs - Their Purpose
	How to Organize Your Genealogical Research
	Primary Sources in Genealogical Research
	Vital Records: How to Obtain Certificates of Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death
	Calendar Changes and Genealogical Research
	Researching Female Ancestors


Brick Walls
	Alternative Records and Genealogical Research
	Overcoming Genealogical Dead-Ends
	Where Did They Go? Tips for Finding Ancestors Who Seem to Have Disappeared


Cemetery & Church Records Research
	Cemetery Research
	Tips for Reading Damaged Tombstones
	Church Records and Genealogical Research
	Importance of Church Records to Genealogical Research: Bryan's Top Ten List


Census Records
	Census Data - Fast Facts
	Genealogical Research Using U.S. Census Data


Courthouse Records
	Courthouse Research
	Courthouse Research - Fast Facts
	Courthouse Fires and Southern Genealogical Research
	Who Has What Record: Courthouse Research in the United States
	Checklist of County Courthouse Records
	Glossary of Legal Terms for Genealogists


Evidence
	How to Evaluate Genealogical Evidence
	How to Investigate Conflicting Family Stories and Traditions
	21 Things I Wish I'd Found: Types of Proof and Evidence to Collect


Immigration & Naturalization
	Information for Researchers: Immigration and Passenger Arrival Records
	How to Determine an Immigrant's Origin - Fast Facts
	Our Immigrant Ancestors: The Departure Process from Europe
	Immigration and Naturalization Records
	Immigration and Naturalization: An Overview
	Immigration Research - Fast Facts
	Naturalization Records
	Finding Naturalization Dates with Census Records
	Ports of Exit from Europe and Britain
	Ports of Entry Into the United States
	Passenger Ships Into New York


Internet Genealogy
	Ten Tips to Get the Most Effective Results from Internet Genealogy
	Genealogical Websites


Land Records & Maps
	Land Records: Their Genealogical Value
	Land Records Research: State Land vs. Public Land States
	Bounty Land Records
	How to Determine Property Ownership Using Plat Maps
	Maps and Genealogical Research


Library Research
	Genealogical Research in Libraries
	Libraries with Major Genealogical Collections
	National Archives Branch Library System
	LDS Family History Centers: Suggestions to Maximize Your Research Success


Military Records Research
	Military Records Research
	Genealogical Research Using Military Records
	A Guide to the U.S. Military History Institute
	Civil War: Prisoners of War
	World War I Draft Registrations
	Armed Conflicts, Wars, and Genealogical Research


Oral History
	Oral History and Genealogy
	Oral History and Interview Discussion


Other Records Useful in Genealogical Research
	Research Using Education Records
	City Directories
	Newspapers and Genealogical Research
	Genealogical Research Using Newspapers - Fast Facts
	Probate Records - Their Purpose and Value to Genealogists
	Voter Registration Records and Great Register Records
	Adoption Research
	Social Security Death and Railroad Retirement Board Indexes
	Genealogical Research Using Railroad Records
	Genealogical Research Using Business Records