FAQs

Getting started with Ancestry Library Edition

Ancestry Library Edition is a genealogical collection with over 30,000 databases and billions of indexed names which cover the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Their information comes from sources such as census, vital, church, court, and immigration records as well as family histories, directories, photos, and maps. Ancestry Library Edition can only be used in the library and cannot be accessed from home.*

Ancestry Library Edition is a read-only database. While it has powerful search engines that help you pinpoint genealogical records, you’ll need a personal Ancestry.com subscription to create and edit family trees, message or collaborate with other Ancestry.com users, or access One World Tree.

* St. Catharines Public Library cardholders can access Ancestry Library Edition remotely until the end of September 2021. Under normal circumstances, this database is only accessible inside your library location.

What can I do with Ancestry Library Edition?

• Genealogical research
• Access billions of historical documents, millions of historical photos, local narratives, oral histories, indexes and other resources in over 30,000 databases that span from the 1500s to the 2000s.
• Search through world government and public records, such as census, birth, marriage and death, immigration, military, plus common published sources like city directories.

What do I need to access Ancestry Library Edition?

• You can access Ancestry Library Edition from any computer at all St. Catharines Public Library locations. All computer terminals will allow you to print, save, and email files from the database. Ancestry cannot be accessed from home.
• Note: because of the pandemic, cardholders can access Ancestry Library Edition remotely until the end of June, 2021. A library card and pin number is required to log in.

How do I find Ancestry Library Edition?

• On one of our public access computers, click on Electronic Resources. Then click on the Genealogy and Local History link. Click on Ancestry Library Edition.
• Visit https://www.myscpl.ca/online-resources/genealogy and click on Ancestry Library Edition
• If you are not inside a SCPL location, you will need to enter your Library Card number and PIN for a limited time only.

How do I do a basic search on Ancestry Library Edition?

To search Ancestry Library, click the Search tab at the top of the page to see a list of record categories. To search all types of records, click All Categories.

Search across all source types in all collections by entering first and last names in conjunction with other optional fields

1. Enter a name into the First & Middle Name box. To search for an exact name, click the Exact link and select Sounds Like, Similar, or Initials.
   • The Sounds Like option tries to match speech patterns, like the name Shawn with Sean.
   • The Similar option tries to match spelling patterns, like the name Elizabeth and Elisabeth.
   • The Initials option allows initials to be found for all names, like H. John
2. Enter a name into the Last Name box. To search for an exact surname, click the Exact link and select Sounds Like, Similar, or Soundex.
   • The Sounds Like option tries to match speech patterns using various algorithms.
   • The Similar option tries to match spelling variations like Smith and Smyth.
   • Soundex is an algorithm that generates alternate spellings of a surname.
3. Enter a place or location. Possible matches will populate in real time. Either enter the location manually or click an option to autofill the box. Click Exact to include surrounding counties and states.
4. Enter an approximate birth year, or click on the calculator to help you make an educated guess if you’re not sure when they were born.

For any additional details, such as gender or nationality, click the Show More Options. Once you’ve entered all the information, click Search. On the results page, use the search filters in the left sidebar to narrow down your results.

Hover your arrow over one of the results and a Preview lightbox will appear. It allows you to see some of the pertinent information of that record before you commit yourself to entering the link. It also gives you the option of viewing the details or viewing the actual image of the record if there is one.

To save a document, click the Send Document button. A pop-up will appear. Enter and confirm the email address and then click the Send Email button. Ancestry will send you a link to a Discovery Page where you can view and download your finds.

How do I do a Card Catalogue search?

To start a Card Catalogue search, click the Search tab and select the Card Catalogue category. All databases in Ancestry Library Edition are listed in the card catalogue and are available to search individually or as groups. There are filters available to help narrow a search including Collection, Date, Languages and Location. To start a search, click the collection link.

What are some general search tips?

1. Begin with a broad search. Start with a name and birth date or death date and narrow the search by clicking edit search
2. Add more details. Use a spouse’s name, members of the immediate family, military service or occupation. Continue adding and subtracting information until the correct records are discovered.
3. Be flexible. There are endless possibilities for errors when searching for names – nicknames, middle names, different spelling or incorrect interpretation by the digitzer. Use the search filters to find names that sound similar or even just initials.
4. Use wildcard symbols to find spelling variations. Use ? to create spelling variations for one letter in a name like Lind?n to get Linden, Lindon, Lindyn etc. Use * to create spelling variations in more than one letter after the 3rd letter in the name so that Lind* could be Lindsen, Lindfield etc.
5. Make sure the information is accurate. Ancestry’s system for connecting records is not perfect, so always scrutinize the records to see if they are related and although family trees can be very useful when making connections, be sure to verify the records, sources, and connections to make sure they are legitimate. Try to select records that have their records sources cited.

What are Public Member Trees?

This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can be viewed by all Ancestry users. These trees can change over time as users modify data in their trees. One advantage to searching family trees is that a lot of the work connecting ancestors have already been done by other people. PLEASE NOTE: this feature is read-only for users of Ancestry Library Edition as Family Tree Maker software will not link to Ancestry Library Edition.

How do you use Public Member Trees?

To search public member trees on Ancestry Library, click the Public Member Trees link under Quick Links on the homepage. Enter specific information for a member of the family tree you’re searching for, and when finished, click the Search button. When you’ve found what you’re looking for, click the link for that family tree.

Once on a family member’s profile page, click the green Family Tree button in the upper left-hand corner. Once the family tree opens, click and drag your mouse to navigate the tree. To view a relative’s record, click a tile. To search, click Tree Search.

Can I create my own family tree?

Ancestry Library’s Family Tree creation service is unavailable through the Library Edition, but that does not mean you cannot compose a family tree. There are several online sites that allow for the creation of free family trees, and can be used to manually track the names and information you find on Ancestry Library. Some great sites for this include Family Search and FamilyTree.com. For a completely manual tree, chart creators like Draw.io allow users to create flowcharts that can easily be used as family trees.

What features are available through Ancestry Library Edition?

With Ancestry Library Edition, you will be able to look at world government and public records, such as census, birth, marriage and death, immigration, military, plus published sources like city directories. You'll also be able to save digitized record files to your home computer/device and view public family trees created by Ancestry.com members.

What features are not available through Ancestry Library Edition?

• DNA results
• Creating your own digital family tree
• Contacting other members of Ancestry.com
• Hints
• Posting on message boards (but you can still see other's posts)
• Historical Newspaper Collection
• Family and Local History Collection
• Obituary Collection
• Filby’s Passenger and Immigration Lists Index
• Biography & Genealogy Master Index
• Freedman’s Bank Records

What if I need more help?

For general genealogical research questions, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. our Special Collections department or check out Ancestry.com’s YouTube channel.

Ancestry Library Edition and Your Privacy

Ancestry Library Edition is a commercial service whose policies concerning privacy and user information differ from that of the St. Catharines Public Library. For more information, please read Ancestry Library Edition’s Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.