By Cailín Cullen
Now that we’re all doing our part to slow the spread of the COVID-19 by staying home, you may have some time to fill. A great way to maintain good mental health is to pick up a new hobby, or revisit a hobby you’ve put on the back burner.
Enter: Family History.
Genealogy research largely can be done online, which makes it perfectly suited to these times, and the Library is here to provide you with the tools to get started!
With physical library locations closed until further notice, the Aurora Public Library (APL) personnel have been working hard to increase access to our online collection and resources. As a result of this effort, Library cardholders can gain access to the ancestry database from home for free!
Ancestry has billions of genealogy records including census, naturalization, and military records. Additionally, ancestry provides free K-12 educational resources, including lesson plans and research guides. Some of these lessons are particularly timely, such as “The Census and the Depression,” which uses 1930 census records to give students an impression of the impact a national crisis can have on local communities. Find access to ancestry on APL’s digital library page.
If you’re new to genealogy, be sure to check out The Family History Guide. This website provides guidance on using various genealogical research tools, including ancestry. Moreover, The Family History Guide suggests activities for families, individuals, teens, and kids. Helpfully, it breaks down research guides by country.
Family search offers hundreds of free online classes in multiple languages, including many videos on how to get started with your family history research. It has several webinars on using census data in your family history research, such as Census Tracking for Beginners.
While you’re researching the census, be sure to check out the Aurora Public Library’s Census Forms Throughout History Digital Exhibit and Scavenger Hunt! The exhibit showcases sample census schedules from each decade in which data is available (1790-1940). Many of the images are from the Aurora Public Library’s local history collection, which includes Kane County historical census records on microfilm (1840-1930). Use the exhibit to complete our scavenger hunt and be recognized on our social media @APLibraryIL!
Adult Services librarian, Cailín Cullen, said, “The census is so important because it determines both political representation and the allocation of federal funding in our community. An accurate count in Aurora means appropriate funding for critical services, such as hospitals and fire departments. The Census Forms Throughout History Digital Exhibit tells the story of change and growth in our community. Looking at who was counted and what questions were asked in historical censuses illuminates our national values and how they have changed over time.”
Make sure you count and complete the 2020 Census!
Go to the APL’s genealogy and local history webpage to find the Census Forms Throughout History Digital Exhibit and Scavenger Hunt, other monthly exhibits, with information about how to get started with genealogy, and an overview of the Library’s local history collection.
Cailín Cullin is an Aurora Public Library Adult Services librarian.