Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Tap Into Computer Connection For Queries

Donna Potter Phillips The Spokes

An article in the January-February 1997 Genealogical Helper by John V. Wylie begins, “The Internet A Tool for Genealogists?” This super article is most helpful, and with permission from author and publisher, I’ll quote from it for you.

The Internet is an international connection of millions of computers attached to one another by telephone. This INTER-net allows people to rapidly exchange messages, including documents.

The Internet has been around for about 20 years, but recently has experienced astounding growth as families and smaller businesses tap its potential. No one owns the Internet, although a number of government agencies and organizations develop, review and approve policies and standards essential for something this complex to work.

Nothing is actually “on” the Internet. All information resides on the 11 million computers connected to it. The protocols and connections that allow these computers to communicate with each other is the Internet.

So, what research can one do on the Internet? More than many people think, but less than some brag about, Wylie answered. One can:

Exchange information and ideas with people throughout the world.

Find and share images (scanned documents) from courthouses or state archives.

Participate in ongoing discussions about locations, surnames, research methods, ethnic groups, etc.

Learn about subjects related to family history research.

Four things are required to use the Internet:

A personal computer, either IBM or Macintosh (or IBM compatible). It doesn’t have to be the newest model with every possible feature, but, as with any technology, older models may not be able to perform all the tasks of newer ones.

An Internet service provider (ISP), your gateway to the Internet. CompuServe, America-Online and Prodigy are some big-name ISPs, but nearly every city has at least one local ISP. Most charge between $10 and $20 a month, but price is not the only consideration. Look at technical support and limitations on features and times of access. Talk with friends and fellow genealogists before making your ISP decision.

A modem with a phone line connection. A modem is a device that allows your home computer to connect to your ISP over your telephone line. Modems can transmit information at different speeds, and as a rule, you should pick the fastest one your budget permits.

Proper software that allows you to browse the Internet. Your ISP provider will give you direction with this need.

The most common question beginning users ask is, “What can I find on the Internet?” Because new material is added hourly, no listing of Internet features can be completely up-to-date or all-inclusive. Most Internet resources of interest to genealogists fall into one of five categories: finding cousins, methodology, finding aids, sources and non-genealogical information.

Queries are the Internet’s most heavily-used tool and genealogists use them to search for ancestors and cousins. Queries can be posted in a number of locations, including dedicated message bases, surname mailing lists, newsgroups and chat rooms.

Useful information on methodology is most commonly found on mailing lists and news groups. Here, knowledgeable (and some less-than-knowledgeable), researchers share their expertise. It’s most helpful, for example, to contact a researcher in an area you plan to visit or need help in before you visit or even write.

Stay posted for more information next time.

, DataTimes MEMO: Donna Potter Phillips welcomes letters from readers. Write to her at The Spokesman-Review, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. For a response, please include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Donna Potter Phillips The Spokesman-Review

Donna Potter Phillips welcomes letters from readers. Write to her at The Spokesman-Review, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. For a response, please include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Donna Potter Phillips The Spokesman-Review