AncestryLibrary

I searched AncestryLibrary using my maiden name first thinking that would only pull up my birth record but it also found my marriage license. I downloaded the ancestral chart and the Family Group Record from the Charts and Forms section (I’ve always wanted to put the information somewhere for my kids to have). While searching for my grandfather, I struggled finding him listed with the name I knew, but found his parents. In the 1920 census, he is listed but they have different middle initials for him. I see on the census form my great grandparents are both from Germany and list German as their native tongue. The census also shows they were able to read and write. In addition, I found that several of their neighbors from that time have descendants that still live in the area.

Under “South Dakota” at AncestryLibrary, I found several school year book entries. The Library of Congress Photo Collection (1840-2000) was very interesting. The U.S. Family Photo Collection and General Photos from the Bureau of Ships appear here as well. Under maps, Lippincott’s Gazetteer of the World, 1913 provides access to photos of each page that “South Dakota” appears. Through this search, I was able to learn what a gazetteer was, as well as how and why it is used.