Genealogy At The Palm Springs Library

Genealogy at theGenealogy at thePalm Springs LibraryPalm Springs Library

Where to start?Where to start?

YOU come first!YOU come first! Always work UP, Always work UP,

never DOWNnever DOWN

Start with family Start with family history, but always history, but always PROVE IT!PROVE IT!

How do you do THAT?!

If you find a “fact”…If you find a “fact”… In a book…In a book… On the Internet…On the Internet… From your mother…From your mother… In the family bible…In the family bible…

Who can you trust?Who can you trust?

Is it TRUE??Is it TRUE??

Who can trust YOU?Who can trust YOU?

Always create citations for your facts!Always create citations for your facts! Results in better records for youResults in better records for you Makes your research more valuable to your Makes your research more valuable to your

family & the research communityfamily & the research community

Guidebooks especially for genealogists:Guidebooks especially for genealogists:

•Cite Your Sources, by Richard S. Lackey

•Evidence!, by Elizabeth Shown Mills

Can you trust the library?Can you trust the library?

Books and WebsitesBooks and Websites Original records?Original records? Indices?Indices? Documentation?Documentation?

If not, use them as If not, use them as LEADS only.LEADS only. Find your own proof.Find your own proof.

Prove it! … But Prove it! … But howhow?? Original RecordsOriginal Records

CensusCensus Birth / Marriage / Death recordsBirth / Marriage / Death records Preponderance of evidencePreponderance of evidence

How to do that in the PS Library?How to do that in the PS Library?

US Census recordsUS Census records

How to access Census imagesHow to access Census images Microfilm?Microfilm? Online?Online?

Heritage QuestHeritage Quest Free to you at PS Library or from home with your Free to you at PS Library or from home with your

valid Palm Springs Library Cardvalid Palm Springs Library Card

Need to travel? Usually, no!Need to travel? Usually, no!

What if PSPL doesn’t have the book or What if PSPL doesn’t have the book or article you need?article you need? Interlibrary LoanInterlibrary Loan!!

Free with your PS Library CardFree with your PS Library Card You will need:You will need:

Title of book or article citationTitle of book or article citation AuthorAuthor Date of publicationDate of publication

Library searches for bookLibrary searches for book Book is delivered to PSPL for your useBook is delivered to PSPL for your use

Ask at Reference DeskAsk at Reference Desk

The InternetThe Internet

Which websites to use and trust?Which websites to use and trust? Know where the information is coming from Know where the information is coming from Use same criteria as for booksUse same criteria as for books

Original records?Original records? Citations and sources listed?Citations and sources listed?

If not, use as a lead and prove it yourselfIf not, use as a lead and prove it yourself

For reliable genealogy links, visit For reliable genealogy links, visit www.palmspringslibrary.orgwww.palmspringslibrary.org Click onClick on

““Internet Links” -- then “Genealogy”Internet Links” -- then “Genealogy” oror

““When Google’s Not Enough” -- When Google’s Not Enough” -- then “Genealogy”then “Genealogy”

Links to selected, non-commercial, Links to selected, non-commercial, non-subscription websitesnon-subscription websites

Use PSPL to the fullest!Use PSPL to the fullest!

Get your Palm Springs Library Card

at the Circulation Desk today!