Introduction to Searching HeritageQuest Online through

NebraskAccess

Susan KniselyNebraska Library Commission

800-307-2665 or 402-471-3849susan.knisely@nebraska.gov

September 1, 2010

What is HeritageQuest Online?

• An online genealogy and local history database designed specifically for patrons in public libraries.

• One of several databases provided to Nebraska residents through the statewide NebraskAccess database program, which is administered and funded by the Nebraska Library Commission.

How can I access HQ Online?

Via the NebraskAccess Databases page, using a password obtained from your local library or a Nebraska driver’s license or state ID number.

http://nebraskaccess.ne.gov/resources.asp

What’s included in HQ Online?

• Census – U.S. Federal Census, 1790-1930• Books – Digitized versions of ProQuest microfilm

collection consisting of over 28,000 family and local history books.

• PERSI™ -- Periodical Source Index (Allen County Public Library Foundation)

• Revolutionary War Era Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files

• Freedman’s Bank Registers, 1865-1874• U.S. Serial Set – Memorials, Petitions, and Private

Relief Actions, 1789-1969.

Searching the Census

72-Year Access Restrictions• HQ Online contains digitized images of each

decennial census from 1790-1930. Census records from more recent censuses are not yet available due to 72-year access restrictions.

Searching the Census

Search vs. Browse• HQ Online contains name indexes for

only 12 of the decennial censuses. This is significant because you can only search on census years that have been indexed; to locate information in census years that haven’t been indexed you have to use browse functionality.

• Note: All of the 1930 census is available to browse; only a small portion is available to search.

Searching the Census

Head of Household• When searching for names you can only search for head-

of-household names. The census enumerator would list as “head of household” the person who was responsible for the care of the home and/or family. This could be a husband, widow with children, person living alone, etc.

• Exceptions included:– Persons residing within the household who had a different

surname (e.g. a mother-in-law, boarder, servant, niece).– All individuals living in institutions (schools, prisons, hospitals,

etc.)• To learn who was considered head of household in each

census year see Heritage Quest Online Help files.

Searching the Census

The 1890 Census• Over 99% of the 1890 population schedules were

destroyed in a fire.• Of 62,979,766 persons enumerated in 1890, a total of

6,160 names could be extracted from the surviving fragments. The surviving fragments came from the following states: • Alabama

• District of Columbia

• Georgia• Illinois• Minnesota

• New Jersey• New York• North Carolina• Ohio• South Dakota• Texas

Searching Books

• Search Books lets you find information on people and places described in 28,000+ family and local histories.

• Every word of every book is searchable!• Four search options:– People– Places– Publications (Browse)– Publications (Search)

Searching PERSI™

• PERSI (Periodical Source Index) is a subject index to articles in 6,500+ genealogy and local history periodicals.

• Produced in cooperation with the Allen County Public Library Foundation, Fort Wayne, IN.

• Includes no full text!• Search for:– Articles about People– Articles about Places– “How To” articles– Periodicals by Title

Searching Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files

• Beginning in 1776 and continuing into the mid-1800s, legislation was passed providing pensions to:– Disabled servicemen– Veterans who had served a certain number of years– Widows whose husbands had been killed in the war– Widows of veterans who had served a certain number of years

• These application files interest genealogists because they contain supporting documentation, such as:– Property schedules– Marriage certificates– Wills– Affidavits, etc.

Searching Freedman’s Bank Records

• The Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company, 1865-1874, was incorporated by an act of Congress for the benefit of freed slaves.

• Freedman’s Bank Records interest genealogists because they contain personal identification data about depositors.

Searching Freedman’s Bank

Depositor Data• The following information may* be found in registers:

– Account number– Name of depositor– Date of entry– Place born– Place brought up– Residence– Age– Complexion– Name of employer or occupation– Wife or husband, children, father, mother, brothers/sisters– Remarks– Signature

* In many entries not all the requested data are given

Searching U.S. Serial Set

• Over 480,000 pages of documents related to Memorials, Petitions, and Private Relief Actions of Congress between 1789-1969.

• Subject matter includes:– Pensions– Military and naval matters– Claims of election fraud– Public works projects– Immigration and naturalization– Land grants– Monetary claims made by individuals and businesses.

HeritageQuestOnline Demo

For more information …

• See various handouts & help documents available in the Training area of the Librarian’s Toolbox: www.nlc.state.ne.us/nebraskaccess/toolbox/trainmaterials.html– Tips on Searching the Census– Tips for Better Book Searching– Printing Enlarged Census Images (step-by-step instructions)– Census Forms, 1790-1930 (blank copies of census forms)

Questions?