Using the Internet for research

If you want to do a surname search that will result in several hints go to and enter your last name in their "Search by Surname" box. The initial search is free and when you enter into each hint listed, the site tells you if the information available can be accessed without cost by noting "Free" after the contact listing.

As an example, I put Coady in the search box and the results not only included the correct spelling but also all spellings (such as Coody, Coad, Coade, and Coate) that might be related. Under their website, they listed 85 matches with an additional 20 listed from the "Index of Petitions for Naturalization" from Fold3.com, 689 matches from Online Family Trees, and 31,304 matches in the Historical Newspaper Collection sponsored by . Each of those hints allowed me to pull up a thread connecting me to additional information with a notation of free when applicable.

Along with those hints, the site also allows you to connect with message boards from three sites by clicking on the "Browse" button which takes you to a listing of messages with the Coady surname for Ancestry.com, GenForun.com and CousinConnect.com. If you find a message that interests you, you can pull up the query to see if you want to go further into those three sites which of course will mean you wish to proceed onto a paid site.

One of the great resources I sometimes neglect is also included in their list and that is published books with the Coady surname included. The site gives you a "Locate" button for four online sites: Google Books, ABEbooks.com, eBay.com and WorldCat. By entering locate for any of these sites; you can scan through their lists of related books. I found these lists to be quite long due to the fact that there are authors with the Coady last name but the search was still worthwhile.

The eBay site not only listed books, but also auction items available. I've mentioned before that eBay can have some unique items up for sale, among which may be family pictures. When buyers attend estate auctions and bid on boxes of items or old framed pictures, they sometimes post family related "gems" on eBay hoping that a long lost relative will purchase the pictures, books, or even family Bibles. You just never know what you can find and since it's free to look, it's worth a try.

Finally, Genealogy Today has a free "Surname Tracker Service" that will send you an email alert whenever new information is added to their web site for name you are searching. You can list several surnames by following their simple instructions and each email you receive will also include simple "Opt Out" instructions in case you wish to cancel the service.

I am also going to sign up for their FREE "The Genealogy News" which will put me in touch with the latest releases from Genealogy Today and other related sources. Hopefully it will have the same easy opt out instructions in case I don't find the information beneficial!

The SWNGS library is up and running again! Our meetings are the first Saturday of each month and open library is on the third Saturday at our 110 West C, Suite M-3 location. Phone numbers are available on the door if you wish to schedule research at another time.