INSIDE - North Dakota Library Association

TechTips & More
Academic Earth, Ancestry Library Edition,
and North Dakota Genealogy Sources
Thanks to Johanna Bjork and Steve Axtman for
their contributions. Johanna tells us about some
informative video lectures and Steve shares
information about WWII United News Newsreels that
are available through Ancestry Library Edition as well
as some great sources for North Dakota genealogy
information.
Academic Earth
By Johanna Bjork, Reference & Instructional
Librarian, Bismarck State College Library
I am going through a series of very informative,
free lectures available on Academic Earth (http://
academicearth.org/). They really help me expand
my knowledge of areas I know little about and are
given by degree-carrying folks from Stanford and other
schools.
Karen’s Note: This site includes “Introduction to
Copyright Law” lectures. The lectures on this site are
videos.
Ancestry Library Edition
By Steve C. Axtman,
North Dakota State Library
Ancestry Library Edition, a genealogy research tool
created for library users, can be accessed from any
public or school library in North Dakota. It gives
researchers instant access to almost 7,000 databases
containing a wide range of genealogical and historical
resources.
One of the unique databases within Ancestry Library
Edition is the WWII United News Newsreels, 1942-
1946, which is found in the Military Collection. These
films are in very good condition and much of the
footage was taken by military combat photographers.
This database contains all 267 issues of the ‘United
News Newsreels” produced by the U.S. Office of War
Information (OWI) which was created during World
War II. For anyone interested in WWII topics, these
newsreels are excellent resources. They also come
with the following disclaimer: “Warning: Due to the
nature of war, some of the newsreels contain graphic
images. Viewer discretion is advised.”
Compiled by Karen Anderson, Editorial Committee Member
To access the WWII United News
Newsreels, 1942-1946:
(1) Click “Search” on the Ancestry
Library Edition home page,
then
(2) “Military” under “Browse
Records,”
(3) Below the “Search Military Records” search
box is a listing of all the military databases
contained within Ancestry Library Edition. Scroll
down through the list to the bottom until you
see WWII United News Newsreels, 1942-1946.
North Dakota Genealogy Resources
For excellent North Dakota genealogical resources,
visit these sites:
North Dakota Department of Health Vital Records
www.health.state.nd.us/vital/
This site provides information for obtaining certificates
and records for ND births, deaths, marriages and
divorces
ND Historical Society
http://history.nd.gov/
The Good Stuff - Page 28 - June 2010
Find pioneer biographies, naturalization records, land
office tract books, ND newspapers, Indian reservation
census records, links to ND genealogical resources,
and much more
Bureau of Land Management General Land Office
Records
www.glorecords.blm.gov/
Did your ancestors get 160 acres through the
Homestead Act? Search for land patents (land patents
document the transfer of land ownership from the
federal government to individuals). This website
also has links to many other sites for family history
research.
TechTips & More is a column that gives tips about
technology (TechTips) and other things that our
readers do in their libraries to make their lives a little
easier or more efficient (More). Please submit your tips
to Karen Anderson at karen_anderson@und.nodak.
edu.