We are very proud to announce four new databases that are now available at the Mary H. Weir Public Library! These databases will be a great resource for those researching history and genealogy.
The first and probably the most familiar is Ancestry. Ancestry is a huge searchable database of historic public records from all over the world. It includes census and voter lists, birth, marriage and death records, military records, immigration and travel records, newspaper and periodical records, criminal records, church records and many others. It also makes available many useful blank forms to record your information.
Heritage Quest is the second database we have acquired. It searches census records, historical books, PERSI (Periodical Source Index), Revolutionary War Records, the Freedman's Bank, and the U.S. Serials Set. PERSI searches articles from local history and genealogical magazines and newsletters from all over the country. The Freedman's Bank was a Savings and Trust company set up right after the Civil War to serve freed slaves and African American soldiers. Although the bank failed in 1874, the records may provide a great deal of information about the people who were its customers. Details may include parents, children, spouse, birth date, residence, and occupation of the customer. The Serial Set is also known as the United States Congressional Serial Set and contains documents from the House and Senate.
Historic Map Works contains maps from all around the world. There are maps from Europe that are 400 years old. Some of the maps from this part of the U. S. date from the 19th Century and list land owners and businesses.
The Sanborn Maps focus more on towns. They were insurance maps. We have purchased access to the collection for West Virginia. The maps for Weirton date from 1915, 1919, 1923, and 1929 with updates. In these maps, all of the buildings in town are shown and often their purpose is given. It also list little details like the size of the water pipes going down the streets and the type of utilities in public buildings. In addition to maps for Weirton, there are maps for Chester, Newell, and New Cumberland in Hancock County and Follansbee and Wellsburg in Brooke County.
All of these databases are available at all Mary H. Weir Library computers.
