Roots & Branches

Many of the people that I help with genealogy seem to be looking only at census records and obituaries.  These are great and very useful, but they may not give you all that you need.  Reviewing the information these records give can lead you to the location where your family members actually lived.  Once you locate the area that you are looking for be sure to check out the local history.

Libraries:

Contact the local library for starters.  Most libraries will have a nice selection of local history books and can usually direct you to which books will be the best for your research.  One example is the History of Union Pacific Coal Mines.  Our county is well known for its previous coal mines and their history.  Many people came earlier this century to work the mines from foreign countries.  Listed in the back of the book is the “Members Old Timers’ Association”.  This is a list of the members of the U.P. Coal Mines from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s.  I use this book often when doing research.  If I do find someone on the list, then I know they were actually in the area and about when.  This can be a great help.

Many libraries also keep a “vertical file”, which basically a file cabinet filled with items that are not normally in the available books.  This may include photos, maps, oral histories, obituaries, newspaper articles, and much more.   The SWCL does keep such a file the “Wyoming Files”.  At our library the 3-ring binders do not check out, but you may make photo copies.  Please ask at the Front Desk for assistance.

If you family members attended High School in the area, be sure to ask for the old High School annuals.  Our library carries some annuals as far back as 1923.  The annuals usually will not check out, so be prepared to make photo copies or write the information down.  This may spur you on to other areas.  Most librarians will have a good knowledge of their collection so don’t be affair to ask questions.

Museums:

Next try the local museum.  You may not walk in and find your relatives right away, but the people working there can usually tell you stories about the area or the era that your family lived.  Also ask if they keep an oral history or genealogy file.   This is becoming a popular file to keep at many facilities.   Also museums often keep large amounts of local photographs of people, businesses, government, scenery, etc.  If you are visiting be sure to allow for extra time to view as much as possible.  You just might be surprised what you will find.

Newspapers:

Many newspaper offices have an archive department and will be willing to do some look-ups for your.  Each newspaper works differently so be sure to call ahead.  The local libraries often have copies or microfilm versions of the local newspapers.  The Sweetwater County Library currently has microfilm of the Green River Star Newspaper from 1907 to current.  For requests of the Rock Springs Rocket Miner please contact the Rock Springs Library.

Online:

One thing you may be able to try from home before you branch out is to check online for Digitized Newspapers.  Here in Wyoming, the Wyoming State Library has prepared for the public the Wyoming Digitized Newspaper Project.  They have taken all the old newspapers that they have found and they have prepared them and made them available online for our use.  The newspapers run from 1849 to 1922.   I use it often to look for obituaries and info for genealogy requests. ( http://www.wyonewspapers.org/ )  Many states in the U.S. and some foreign countries are working on similar projects.  Be sure to check online for ones for the area you are researching.

Happy Hunting!

I would like to take this time to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  May you have an old fashioned holiday.  Please stay safe while traveling.

Where do you go when money gets tight?  Answer…..the Library. 

Where do you go when you need to prepare to find a new job? Answer…..the Library.

Where do you go when the kids are bored and there is no money for frills? Answer…..the Library.

By now you get the idea, but do you know all that the library can do for you?  Usually I talk about genealogy and family history and how we can help you in that area.  The Library is a great place to access the internet and to find books to help you with your genealogical research, but it is so much more. 

These are tough times and the money crunch is on.  We are all looking for a way to make the dollar stretch just a little further.  We have noticed the use of books and DVDs on the rise.  As money gets tighter people need to realize that the Library has books, movies, internet, programs, and more all for free.   What a great deal that is.  Where else can you go and never spend a dime. 

Little Johnny can come with his PSP and play his friend on the net, while little Laura colors pages and reads with her sister in the Youth Service Department.  George is looking for a new job and is writing a resume on the computer with Resume Wizard that is on all public computers.  Sue is researching college information for her son by using the College Catalogs and the internet.   John sits in a quiet corner and reads the newspaper and checks the stock information on Value Line.  Mrs. Burke is checking our DVDs for her family for the weekend, both adult and children’s.  Mr. Martinez needs a dictionary in Spanish to help his brother and his family with their English.  There are many ways that you can save money by using the library. 

So much is going on at the Library all at once, but the best part is it is all there for everyone.  There are online Data Bases like Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest that help with genealogy and  Alldata, Auto Repair Reference Center, and Chilton Library to help you with vehicle repairs.  Also there is Legal Forms, Value Line, or COIN Career (career help).   

And of course do not forget the Inter-Library Loans.  This is a truly great way to request books from other libraries in the State of Wyoming and also with in the lending libraries through out the U. S.   Usually there is no lending fee with only a few exceptions.  If you need a book that we do not have this is the way to find it.  You can access this information online by using the Library Card Catalog, by calling and talking to a Librarian, or simply by stopping by the Front Desk. 

Anyway you look at it libraries are one great resource for anything you do.  We are here for you.  We are all in this together.        

Stop by and check us out.