Build Your Family Tree at the Library Published on Thursday,
February 18, 2010 - 3:42pm Ever wonder about your ancestors? The
DC Public Library can help. Check out Heritage Quest, a free
database that includes U.S. Census records from 1790 to 1930 and
Freedman’s Bank records. Incorporated in 1865 to benefit freed
slaves, Freedman’s Bank records contain information about the
depositors and their families from 1865 to 1874. In some cases,
the names of former slave owners are included. Accessing this
database only requires a DC Public Library card. Before starting
database research, a few tips will help get better results: -
Decide who to research. Collect the real name of ancestors,
their siblings, how old they would be and where they lived in
1930. - Search broadly. Enter the last name, year of birth, and
city/state in Heritage Quest’s census database. - Work
backwards. Review the 1930 Census information, then plan to
search the 1920 Census. Continue stepping back through available
census data. - Explore Freed