In genealogical research, maps can provide clues to where our ancestors lived and where to look for written records about them. Old and new maps can help you track down facts about a branch of your family. How? In the United States, birth, death, property, and other records are normally kept by county governments. If you can identify the place an ancestor lived, new or old maps of that place may also show the county seat, where useful data about your kin can be obtained. Old maps can be particularly useful in this regard because identifying the place where an ancestor lived can be like trying to hit a moving target. Many towns, cities, counties, and even countries have experienced numerous name changes over the years.
The Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute provides an enormous wealth of genealogical resources through the partners' collections and a variety of fact sheets ranging from "how to" guides for the beginner to advanced research guides for the seasoned researcher.
Many resources are available both on-site and online, including some of the most comprehensive databases available, many unique to the Center. Extensive microfilm collections are accessible to researchers, including microfilms on indefinite loan from the Family History Library containing birth, marriage and death records. The Center offers researchers the ability to view microfilm using Scan Pro 2000 digital microfilm readers; these enable patrons to save images as JPGs, PDFs and other image file formats, and also allow for printing. Genealogy librarians are available six days a week to assist patrons with their own family history research.
The Institute's Monday evening hours have been made possible through a generous grant from the Jewish Genealogical Society of New York.