Queries
A query is a request for information about your ancestor. The advent of the internet and the global reach it brings has made a simple "query" a very powerful tool. However, to fully utilize this power you need to learn how to post effective queries.
Your query may ask for information on such things as:
How to Write an Effective Genealogy Query
In the second paragraph state what you already know. This will help those responding cut down on unnecessary suggestions.
This is an example of a good query:
I am conducting a one-name study of the WAGNER family in Germany for the years 1850-1910. Most of the family settled in MUNICH. If you have information on WAGNER's of that time, I'd be happy to share information.
Places to post your queries
Note: In addition to the sites listed below, you should also try posting your queries to the alt.surname* and soc.surname* newsgroups, and surname specific mailing lists.
You can also try typing +query +yoursurname into a major search engine in order to find a query site dedicated to your surname.
Online Query Sites
The USGenWeb website is one of the best places for US researchers to post queries.
In order to post a query on USGenWeb follow these steps:
- Click on "The Project's State pages" under the heading "State Pages for the Project"
- Click on either "Graphical Map" or "Table of States"
- Click on the appropriate State
- Click on the appropriate County
- You should then see a "Query" link on the county homepage. Sometimes you have to email your query to that counties Query-Co-ordinator and they post the query. Some counties use Rootsweb.com and Genconnect message boards.
Every country is represented on WorldGenWeb, and every country has a message board where you can place queries.
To post a query follow the following steps:
- Scroll down until you see a "Country Index" link under the heading "Resources".
- Click on the appropriate country link.
- Click on the "Message Board" link down the left hand side.
Or you can link directly to the region specific GenWeb sites below :)
The British Isles GenWeb Project
The East Europe GenWeb Project
The Middle East GenWeb Project
The North American GenWeb Project
Rootsweb has numerous message boards to post queries. You can select a message board according to surname, location, or topic directly from the message board homepage.
GenForum has over 8,200 "forums" that contain messages on surnames, states, counties, and genearal topics.
To post a message you can select a forum by using the search function, or by selecting from the surname, location, or general topic index. From there you can read the messages already posted by fellow researchers or post queries of your own.
FamilyHistory.com provides over 118,000 surname, state, county and general message boards.
You can find message boards by typing your surname into the "Find a Message Board" search field at the top of the homepage. Alternatively you can browse the alphabetical surname index directly beneath the search field.