22 How to get the most out of OUR Library

Begin with the forms in Beginning Genealogy

Using the information you have collected to this point to make a list of Data holes

Develop a genealogical research plan using the top five information holes in you data as a guide.

How to:

FamilyTree Magazine

Family Search

Basic Genealogical Research Plans (National Institute)

Find records that could provide that information.

A few suggestions:

Family Histories -Has anyone already written about your family?

Check our catalog - Control+f keyword: "family history"

Check PERSI, Ancestry and Heritage Quest (contains PERSI) Both are available at the McAlester and Eufaula public libraries.

Vital Records

Find vital records (birth, marriage, death) for each member of the family. These will provide names of parents, dates of events, siblings, etc.

Check our catalog - Control+f keywords: birth, baptism, marriage, death, mortality, burial cemeteries, grave, and will

City Directories and Telephone Books

List Addresses, family members and occupations for a specific date.

Check our catalog - Control+f keywords: "city directory", phone, and directory

Census
Do a full census check on your family. This source can give you an abundance of information by itself. United States Census are taken every 10 years and are available to genealogist 1790 to 1930. Several state did census in the in-between federal years. Indians did their own census and census like surveys i.e.., Dawes, Miller

Check our catalog - Control+f Keyword: Census or Enumeration District

Scan the card catalog for other possibilities

With the research plan in hand check the library resource catalog for the location of the information needed.

Pittsburg County Genealogical And Historical Society Library Catalog

Make a list of interesting items, and their location within the library, to research in the library

Organize the research items by location and the priority.

E-mail the research plan and List of interesting documents to research to choctawnationit@sbcglobal.net

Give the volunteer one-month to review the information and reply

Why do this:

The volunteers have extensive knowledge of the resources and can make recommendations that you may have not thought of.

Verify the items on your list are available - from time to time items are sent out for repair. This could save you a trip.

Finding a place to stay

Category: Hotel / Motel

Finding a place to eat

Category: Restaurants

Location

113 East Carl Albert Parkway
McAlester, Oklahoma 74501-5039
Phone: 918-426-0388
The Society's library is open 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily MTWTF.

Picture of our building is on the webpage front page.

Goggle Maps is approximately 1 block off: start at the corner of East Carl Albert Pkwy and North 2nd Street. The building on that corner is the Pittsburg county court house. The facility is located in center of the U shaped Pittsburg county court house building.

MapQuest will get you to the correct block. We are closer to the middle than it shows.

Parking

There are two reserved parking sites in the parking lot just past our facility and the Pittsburg county court house building, before you reach the building on the corner on that block.

Additional parking can be located on three sides of the block the facility is located on. Do not park in the front as that is generally reserved for courthouse business

Over flow parking is located on 1st street past Washington avenue.

Parking availability varies by how busy the court house is

Accessibility

We share with the courthouse an excellent ramp that is located on the side of the building (Right side of the main entrance). Proceed up the ramp as though you were entering the courthouse and half way up the ramp is a platform for the door in the side of our facility. Ring the door bell if not open and a volunteer will assist you.

Sign-In

Please sign in at the front desk. The library is Free. Take time to enjoy the cherry wood paneling and absorb an office atmosphere from the turn of the 20th century.

Note: Special collections and Microfilm, will have to be procured by the volunteer from the Vault.

Xerographic copies are: $.15 for members and $.25 for non members

Use of Flat bed scanners is free.

Use of one of the two Internet computers is free, but time is limited.

Free wireless Internet access.

Electrical outlets are available in the front research room next to the copier on a power strip.

We have three microfilm readers and one has a printer.

Microfilm Copies are: $.25

Please have a volunteer show give you a brief tour of the collection.

Check out the maps and illustrations on the walls for information.

There are two tables in the front research room and one in the back.

Ask for help

The volunteers have extensive knowledge of the resources and can make recommendations that you may have not thought of.

Re-Shelving

Please stack the documents when finished on the end of the research table and the volunteer will re-shelve the items.