Using Ancestry.com database card catalogBy George G. Morgan
Ever since the Ancestry Database Card Catalog function was
introduced recently, I've been exploring the databases' contents in a
whole new way. I'm finding more resources in the 27,000 databases
than I ever could by just browsing the titles. You can too!You're probably already conversant with your local library's online
catalog. If you are, you're ready to start taking advantage of the
Ancestry.com database Card Catalog. Your library's online catalog
allows you to search for materials in multiple ways: by author
name(s); by title; by subject area, such as Fiction or Genealogy; and
by keyword that helps narrow your search. The new tool at Ancestry
also helps you quickly locate the database you want or need. To
access the search template from the homepage, click on the link
labeled "See all databases."You can search by database title, if you know it, and/or one or more
keywords to help narrow your search. A drop-down menu of record types
allows you to search "All" records or only one specific type of
record. (I usually start with "All" to see what I get and then narrow
my search by choosing one record type or another.)Another drop-down menu lets you choose "All years" or a specific
range of years. You can also indicate the last time the records were
updated. Finally, you can specify the location in which you are
interested. Remember that the search will be performed and that it
will only show records that match all of the fields you enter.I entered the following information:
Keyword(s): civil war
Record type: Military Records
Year Range: All years
Location: North CarolinaFive databases were displayed for me:
-- Civil War Service Records
http://www.ancestry.com/s23557/t7833/rd.ashx
-- American Civil War Soldiers
http://www.ancestry.com/s23557/t7834/rd.ashx
-- Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934
http://www.ancestry.com/s23557/t7835/rd.ashx
-- U.S. Civil War Photos, 1860-1870
http://www.ancestry.com/s23557/t7836/rd.ashx
-- American Civil War General Officers
http://www.ancestry.com/s23557/t7834/rd.ashxI'd never seen the last database listed separately, but realized that
it is part of the Ancestry Civil War Research Database, with a
separate search form for officers. When I entered the name of the
major who commanded my great-grandfather in the Confederate Army,
Major Austin Leyden, I was rewarded with his soldier's record,
complete with a link to Company F, 1st Volunteers Regiment Georgia, a
list of engagements, and another link to the names of all the
soldiers in that unit during the war. This was tremendous information
that will help me to continue researching the unit and puts my great-
grandfather in a historical context!I tried another search for a database whose name I already knew: 1885
Florida Census (http://www.ancestry.com/s23557/t7837/rd.ashx). When
the record is displayed, there are five pieces of information
displayed.View Record. This is a link that takes me to a page that provides
details about the database, the date range, the category (Census
Records), Date First Posted (15 Dec 2003), Date Last Updated (31 Aug
2005), a Bibliography (the source citation information), the Record
Count (291,261), the Name Count Estimate (291,261), and the Image
Count (5,941). In other words, there are 5,941 images containing the
names of 291,261 people who were enumerated in the State of Florida
in 1885.Title. Florida State Census, 1885 (the name of the database) is a
link to the search template that can be used to search the database.Category. Census Records (the assigned category name, or subject
area, of the database).Places. Lists the names of the places about which the database is
concerned. In this case, there are two places: United States of
America; FloridaRecord Count. This is the physical count of searchable records in the
database. In this case, there are 291,261 records.When I click on the link labeled "Florida State Census, 1885," I am
presented with a search template. I can use either the Ranked Search
or the Exact Search, or I can simply browse this census by county. In
this case, however, I simply entered the surname 'white' and pressed
the Search button. I selected the first entry in the search results
list: Richard White of District 3, Baker [County]. I clicked on the
"View Record" link to see transcribed information and details about
the record. If I want to see the actual census image, I can click on
the "View Image" link in the right-hand column of the search results
list, or from the "View Record" page, I can click on the link labeled
"View original image." Either way, I should be able to bring up the
actual census page.PROBLEMS?
Sometimes you might encounter a problem viewing an image. A link at
the upper right-hand corner of the page reads, "Having problems
viewing this image?" By clicking that link, a window pops up that is
pre-addressed from you to the Ancestry.com Support group. The name of
the database is pre-entered for you. All you have to do is:1. Use the drop-down menu to select a problem-type category: missing
image, wrong image, or unreadable image.
2. Enter text describing the problem you have found.
3. Click on the orange Submit button to send your message.You have just submitted the problem for review and the Support group
will investigate the problem.If there are indexing and transcription errors or other problems you
want to report, simply click on the link in the upper right-hand
corner of a screen labeled "Help"
(http://www.ancestry.com/s23557/t7838/rd.ashx) and this presents you
with a screen with four tabs: Ask Ancestry; E-mail Ancestry Support;
My Profile; and Help. The Help tab is a good place to learn the
basics of how to use the three other tabs.>From the original screen with the Ask Ancestry tab on top (which is
their knowledge base), type "problem support" into the Search Answers
box. Some of the important topics displayed that you may want to read
about include the following:-- How do I report a specific Census Image error?
-- How do I add comments or indicate corrections?
-- How do I correct a spelling error in online indexes?
-- Why does the Census index link to the wrong image?With a little practice, you can become an expert at using the Help
facilities and data collections at Ancestry.com.The database Card Catalog is a great addition to Ancestry.com and is
one that you will want to learn how to use as soon as possible. As
more databases are added, you will want to be able to locate every
possible database that might help your research flourish.___________________________________________________________________
Visit George's new website at http://ahaseminars.com for information
about his company, speaking engagements, and presentation topics. You
can also listen to George and Drew Smith's "Genealogy Guys" podcast
at: http://genealogyguys.com/
Provided by: SUMMIT COUNTYCHAPTER, OGS
Akron, OH 44309-2232 e-mail:summitogs@yahoo.com