How To Find Information On A Person You Are Researching
There are two main ways to research people:
​
1. The older way to get information is from books, pamphlets, or finding objects relating to your mystery such as old clocks etc. Networking with people can also be helpful.
Library’s have a wealth of data that can help you find some missing links. The Moncton library has a section on the second floor run by the NB South East Branch Genealogy Society that is full of indexes, books, booklets and magazines that cover a multitude of research information. Other places you can search include the Provincial Archives in Fredericton, city museums and book stores.
Another treasure trove of information can be found from old letters, magazines, books and pictures that you may have stored or found at the homes of friends. You could also check yard sales and displays.
Historical societies such as the Albert County Historical Society are full of old artifacts, restored buildings and data from the past.
Genealogy societies have a load of information they have collected that you can use. They have very knowledgeable members who love to share their joy of researching and sometimes offer presentations by guest speakers.
Networking with people and asking what they know about your quest can go from one lead to another until someone says yes, I can help, and you are on the way to solving part of your puzzle. Talking to our invaluable seniors can be so interesting and rewarding. Once you get their confidence, they can tell you so much about the past and people they knew. This is an enjoyable way to learn about an era before our own time and track the lives of people we are interested in. This information should be recorded and saved while it is available.
Visiting the many cemeteries in our province will provide you with the information displayed on the monuments including names and birth/death dates of those buried there.
Another source of information is from old census records and church records that contain the names of families and the marriage, birth and death dates.
2 .The other way to research is accessing online data.
The online sites for researching are limitless. Below are a few of the many sites available. All you need is a computer, tablet or smart phone and internet hookup.
A few sites such as the following require you to pay for searching:
Later Day Saints: at https://www.familysearch.org/en/
Most sites are free to use including the following: Google, Firefox, Byng, Wiki and Yahoo. These are very effective in finding information. With search engines there is an input box to enter the data of the person you are interested in. Input the basic information that you have on this person. This should include their first and last name, the date of birth and/or death and the area where they lived. Most times it will give many results and the first ones appearing may be the ones you are looking for. However, if you put in too much information it gives too many results, millions, so cut back on some of your inputs and be as accurate as possible.
Some other general sites are:
Cyndi’s List:
https://www.cyndislist.com/cemeteries/
Billion Graves:
https://billiongraves.com/sitemap/index.php?country=Canada&state=New+Brunswick
Canada Gen Web project Cemetery Project:
http://cemetery.canadagenweb.org/
NB Canada Cemetery Records:
http://www.canadiangenealogy.net/newbrunswick/new_brunswick_cemetery_records.htm
Automated Genealogy:
http://www.automatedgenealogy.com/
Find A Grave:
Daniel Johnson’s Newspapers:
https://archives.gnb.ca/Search/newspapervitalstats/default.aspx?culture=en-CA
Google old Newspapers:
https://news.google.com/newspapers?hl=en
Provincial Archives of NB
https://archives.gnb.ca/Search/Cemeteries/?culture=en-CA
Using the internet is very popular today because it is so fast and has more information than any library. If used efficiently it has all you need to track the data you are searching for but cross check it with official data too, so it will be more accurate. Also, don’t blindly accept what you find because there can be unintentional errors. Therefore, it’s important to find other sources to prove your findings. With patience your journey can be very enjoyable and rewarding.