This guide also highlights Front Range collections for
family history research as well as local and low cost classes or
workshops for the beginning and advanced genealogist.
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CU Boulder
Resources
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|
Location and hours
|
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Chinook – online library catalog
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Keep in mind that this is an incomplete
database. Many historic materials do not have bibliographic
records in Chinook. Check with
each department.
Try a subject search for
"genealogy" or a word search for "genealogical."
|
http://libraries.colorado.edu
OR
telnet libraries.colorado.edu
If you’re just getting started look
for a beginner’s guide, e.g.
A
Student's Guide to German American Genealogy by Gregory Robl, E184.G3 R65 1996
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Archives
– open to the public.
- Many holdings not in Chinook
- Nothing in this department
circulates.
|
- Boulder & CO census
- Telephone directories
- CU yearbooks
- A complete set of Sanborn Fire
Insurance maps for Colorado
- Has the 1870 Colorado Territory
census index. but Gov Pubs has the census
mircrofilm
|
Basement of Norlin Library, MWF 11 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Closed T&TH. No evening/weekend hours. Phone
number: 303.492.7242
http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/archives/col/western.htm
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|
Government
Publications Library
- Not all pre-1976 federal records are
in Chinook.
- Records for many historical state
materials not in Chinook.
|
- CO Soundex & census schedules
(1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920)
- some military registers
- Blue Book
- print copies of First Census of the
U.S.
- Naturalization Records created by the
U.S. District Courts in Colorado, 1877 - 1952 (79 reels
of microfilm)
- Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving
at New Orleans, 1903 - 1945 (100 reels)
- Spanish Archives of New Mexico (23
reels)
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3rd Floor Norlin
Library.
During Fall & Spring semester:
M-F 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sa. 1 – 5 p.m.
Su. 1 – 9 p.m.
Call for intersession hours.
303.492.8834
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|
Map
Library
- Note that many holdings are not
reflected in Chinook
- See their Web page for recommended
Web sites
|
Some useful materials to consider:
- Army Map Service (AMS) maps for
Europe (e.g. Austria, Germany, Italy, Poland, Yugoslavia)
and Japan just to name a few.
- Map Index to Topographic
Quadrangles of the United States,
1882-1940, call#: GA 405 M64
1986 . (CU owns the maps covered by this index.)
- USGS Geologic Atlas, call#:
I19.5:
- British Ordnance Surveys
- Columbia Gazetter of the World,
call#: G103.5 C65 1998
- Gazetteer of (country): names
approved by the United States Board on Geographic Names,
D5.319:
- Colorado maps
- Colorado plat maps (1880's -
1930's)
- Historic Urban Plans reproductions of
American city maps
- International city maps (15th - 19th
centuries)
|
Located in the new Benson Earth Sciences
building. Enter the Earth Sciences Library on the first
floor on the southwest side. Take the elevator or stairs to
the lower level.
Phone: 303.492.7578. Assistance available
Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10
p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Be sure to call (303) 492-6133 and verify
intersession hours.
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|
Central
Reference Department
Located on the first floor of Norlin
Library.
Hours for reference service:
Su. 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., M-Th 9 a.m. to 9
p.m.,Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sa. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
|
Highly recommended: A Genealogist's Guide to Norlin Library,
University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado compiled by Mary Chalfant Ormsbee, call number
Z5313.U5 O76 1988. It's in a loose-leaf binder located in
the Reference Stacks. The work was sponsored by the Boulder
Genealogical Society and its 160 pages contain useful
introductions to the Library and its relevant collections,
as well as an extensive annotated bibliography of
genealogical resources found in Norlin. Though somewhat
dated now (1988), it is still very useful.
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British researchers should check out the
3 volume reference work entitled, Genealogical research in England and
Wales by David E. Gardner and
Frank Smith. Call number CS414 .G3.
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Center
for British Studies
Be sure to check out the Media
Library's holdings for British materials such as Early
English books, early newspapers, women's journals.
|
Materials for the Center are scattered
throughout Norlin Library in various department libraries.
See Deborah
Hollis for more information. Some
church records for Essex, Cheshire, Hereford, and Wiltshire
counties. Some English Record Societies material in main
book stacks.
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Finding
Guides to the British Studies Collections in the University
of Colorado at Boulder Libraries
Hard copy of the Finding Guide
available in the Central Reference Dept. and Government
Publications Library.
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Possible Obstacles
|
|
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|
Classification systems
|
Materials in various library departments
are classified and organized in different systems. Within
e.g. Government Publications, federal and state documents
use different classification systems. If you’re confused be
sure to check with staff at the reference desk in each
department.
|
Various systems include the
- Library of Congress (LC)
classification system [Main stacks]
- Superintendent of Documents (SuDoc)
for US federal publications [Gov Pubs]
- Swank/Jackson system for publications
from states other than Colorado. [Gov Pubs]
|
|
Format of research material
|
Microfilm, microfiche, microcard
|
Available for use in the library only.
Microfiche & film reader/printers available. Copy cards
can be purchased for use with this equipment.
|
|
Holdings information not in Chinook.
|
Electronic records for many
historic materials are not reflected in the online
catalog.
|
You will need to visit each library to
check with staff about historic materials. Each department
has a shelf list (paper record) for these items.
|
|
Legibility
|
Handwriting may be faint or illegible in
microfilm reproductions.
|
This is true of early Census schedules.
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Language
|
For example: early British church records
can be in Latin
|
|
|
Location
|
Materials at CU are scattered and not
centrally located.
|
Re: British materials see the
Finding
Guide |
|
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Front Range
Resources
|
|
Location & phone number
|
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Boulder
Public Library - Carnegie
Branch
|
Colorado history as well as local
history. Reference tools and magazines for genealogical
research in other states.
|
1125 Pine Street, Boulder, CO, 80302.
303.441.3110
[See human resources section for BGS
volunteer hours.]
|
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Colorado Historical Society
|
Colorado history. Call for information
about workshops.
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1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80231
303.866.4605
Hours: 10 am - 4:30 Tuesday -
Saturday
|
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Colorado
State Archives
|
Vital records, naturalization records,
court cases, school, military and corrections
records.
http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/gss/archives/geneal.html
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1313 Sherman Street, Room 1B-20, Denver,
CO 80203. (303)866-2358 or (303)866-2390. Call toll-free in
Colorado only at 1-800-305-3442. M-F 9 - 4:30 p.m.
Email: archives@state.co.us
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Denver
Public Library - Western History
and Genealogy Department
Remember that DPL’s Government Documents
& Business Library is a Patent depository.
|
A strong and well respected genealogical
collection with many unique materials such as the Sanborn
Fire insurance maps. Beginning guides available at no
charge.
Full text patents can be photo
copied.
Has some early military registers.
|
10 W. Fourteenth Ave. Pkwy.
Denver, CO 80204-2731
303.640.6291.
Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed., 10 a.m. - 9
p.m., Thurs., Fri., Sat., 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sun., 1 p.m. -
5 p.m.
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LDS Family History Centers
|
Scattered throughout the state. Longmont
and Louisville have FHC's.
|
http://www.genhomepage.com/FHC/Colorado.html and
http://www.lds.org/en/2_How_Do_I_Begin/Where_is_Locations/04_Mountain_States.html
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Colorado
Springs - Pikes Peak Library
District
|
Family
history sources
|
Hours of operation & phone numbers
are listed on their Web page:
http://library.ppld.org/09/localhis.htm
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National
Archives - Rocky Mountain
Region
- See human resources section of this
guide for workshop details.
|
Census & Soundex for all states
in microfilm.
Offers workshops in the spring and
fall.
Schedule will be set in April and
classes held in May.
|
Building 48 - Denver Federal Center,
Denver, CO 80225-0307
303.236.0817
Hours: M,T,TH,F 7:30 - 3:45 p.m., W
7:30-4:45 p.m.
http://www.nara.gov/regional/denver.html
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Human
Resources
|
|
Workshops & expertise
|
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Colorado's
Genealogical Organizations
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For example: Boulder
Genealogical Society (BGS) holds
monthly meetings with guest speakers on a variety of
research issues/topics. Free and open to the public. BGS
also sponsors beginning workshops.
|
http://www.cogensoc.org/cgs/cgs-soc.htm
Contact information for a variety of
societies is available at this Web site.
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Boulder
Public Library (BPL) Carnegie
Branch Library
|
Houses Boulder Genealogical Society’s
(BGS) Genealogy Collection.
Can assist with research
tips.
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BGS volunteers available for
assistance/consultation during the following hours:
M 2 - 4 p.m. & 7 - 9 p.m.
T 2 - 4 p.m.
W 10-12 p.m. & 2 - 4 p.m.
TH 2 - 4 p.m
F 2 - 4 p.m.
Sa 2 - 4 p.m.
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Denver Public Library
|
Colorado Genealogical Society offers
programs and classes held at DPL throughout the year.
|
http://www.cogensoc.org/cgs/cgs-cls.htm
This Web site lists scheduled
classes. Usually held on Saturdays for a small fee.
|
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National
Archives – Rocky Mountain Region.
Workshops:
- Basic Census Research
- Federal land records
- Military records
- Naturalization records
- American Indian research
|
Offers 1/2 day workshops in spring and
fall for a small fee. Usually limited to 25 people.
|
Call for schedule:
303.236.0817
Figure out your Soundex code
|
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Federation of
Genealogical Societies
(FGS)
|
Annual conference offers lectures &
workshops for a registration fee.
Speakers are usually professional
genealogists, historians, librarians, etc.
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http://www.fgs.org/~fgs/
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National
Genealogical Society (NGS)
|
Annual conference offers lectures &
workshops for a registration fee.
|
http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/
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Some recommended Web
Resources
|
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URLs
|
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Adoption information from the
National
Adoption Information Clearinghouse
|
The NAIC was "established by Congress in
1987 to provide professionals and the general public with
easily accessible information on all aspects of adoption,
including infant and intercountry adoption and the adoption
of children with special needs." (from their Web
site.)
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Has state statute information.
|
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Carroll’s
State Page
|
Locate information about various state
archives. For example see Alabama
Department of Archives and History. (Be sure to do an agency search and select
Archives and History.)
|
Good way to identify state archival
holdings long distance. Be sure to search at the county and
local level for online public records information/databases.
|
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Cyndi’s
List
|
Great place for beginning genealogical
web surfers
|
http://www.CyndisList.com/
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Colorado
Marriage and Divorce Records
|
Includes Statewide Marriage Index (alpha by bride and groom) 1975-1996 and
Statewide Divorce
Index (alpha by surname)
1975-1994. Searchable.
|
http://www.quickinfo.net/madi/comadi.html
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Great
Britain's Public Record Office
|
Homepage information for those interested
in researching their British roots
|
http://www.pro.gov.uk/readers/genealogists/default.htm
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Midnight
at the Internet Café
|
A select list of recommended web
sites.
|
http://www.aclin.org/other/community/maic/genlgymdnt.htm
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Christine's
Genealogy Website
|
African American Website
|
http://ccharity.com/
|
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Hispanic
Genealogical Society of New York
|
Information useful in Hispanic
genealogical research.
|
http://www.webcom.com/hgsny/
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Jewish
Gen
|
Information useful in Jewish
genealogy.
|
http://www.jewishgen.org/
|
|
American
Indian Family History Project --
Crow Census 1885, 1900, 1910, 1930
|
Nice example of family history projects
and American Indian records.
|
http://lib.lbhc.cc.mt.us/Crow_Census/default.htm
|
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Secret
No More
Templates assist in writing a
request.
|
Get the FBI file number for access to
files made available from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
requests. For example the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, AIM,
Black Panther Party, various union leaders, etc.
|
http://www.newstrench.com/01secret/01secret.htm
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Tapping
Officials’ Secrets
|
Find out what the state statutes are with
regard to accessing e.g. vital, student, or criminal
records. Great reference tool.
|
http://www.rcfp.org/tapping/index.cgi
|
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General
Land Office records
"GLO was established within the Treasury
Dept. in 1812 to take charge of all survey and land title
records." [from Web site.]
|
Instant access to Federal land title
records issued from 1820 to 1908 for 12 states.
|
www.glorecords.blm.gov
|
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US
Mapping Information (USGS)
|
Can help ID e.g. county or cemetery
information.
|
http://mapping.usgs.gov/www/gnis/gnisform.html
|
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Bibliography of public records sources.
|
From Jobe's Public Records Web page.
|
http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/gd/publicrecords.htm
|
|
Vital
Records Information – United
States
|
Identifies where one writes to request
copies of birth, death, marriage, or divorce records. Fees
are listed.
|
Some states provide Web access to
birth/death records.
http://vitalrec.com/index.html
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|
Webgator
|
Used by journalists and investigators to
locate the living.
|
http://www.inil.com/users/dguss/wgator.htm
|
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Online directories
|
For telephone or email information
|
|
|
Evaluating
web sites
|
|
|
|
Authenticity/credentials
|
Note the author, publisher, or producer
of the web page.
|
- Is there any information about the
author/company?
- Are the person’s or organization’s
credential’s provided?
- If it is someone’s family history
page, do they document or provide proof of their claims?
[e.g. scanned images of land records, etc.]
|
|
Contact information
|
Is an email address available for direct
contact?
|
|
|
Maintenance, stability, &
currency
|
Is the web page updated frequently? Are
there any broken links?
|
- Is a date of last revision
posted?
|
|
Reviews
|
Has the site been rated or reviewed? Is
this information available at the web site?
|
- Has anyone, e.g. a genealogical group
reviewed the web site?
|
|
Note the domain name
|
.com
.org
.edu
.net
|
- Is a commercial site interested in
selling a product?
- Is it an organization that has a
reputation of conducting sound genealogical research or
providing e.g. good book titles?
- Note that not all .edu extentions are
affiliated with accredited colleges/universities. It
could also be someone’s personal web page at a
university.
|
|
Family Photograph
Albums
|
|
|
|
Fading Memories: Albums Damage Photos
|
Written by Glenn Collins, October 3,
1987, Saturday, Late City Final Edition, New York Times
|
Full text article available via
Lexis/Nexis' Academic
Universe.
|
|
Keep in mind that paper in photo albums
and/or glues or tape used in albums can destroy your
photographs
|
|
Hobby and craft stores can assist with
information about the materials and tools needed to preserve
those family photographs.
|
|
Creative
Memories
|
Offers photo album preservation workshops
for a fee. Check local phone book for listings.
|
This is not an endorsement -- just one
place to get some information about preservation issues.
|
