March/April 1996
In March and April 1996, a group of genealogists organized the Kentucky
Comprehensive Genealogy Database Project. The idea, originated by Jeff
Murphy, was to provide a single entry point for all counties in Kentucky,
where collected databases would be stored. In addition, the databases would
be indexed and cross-linked, so that even if an individual were found in
more than one county, they could be located in the index. This pilot project
became known as KYGenWeb.
June
1996
In June, as the Kentucky Project was coming to completion, it was decided to
expand the project to include all states and USGenWeb was born. Volunteers
were found who were willing to coordinate the collection of county pages for
each state page. Also in June, just two weeks or so after the beginning of
The USGenWeb project, the WorldGenWeb project was begun, and several other
countries become involved in the project.
July/August 1996
In July and August, the work progressed with many volunteers coming forward
to assist. The USGenWeb domain was established, and many new state mailing
lists were generated. Through collaboration with RootsWeb, server space was
found for the files produced as a result of the project. Also, a
Standardized Query and Surname entry form was established. A number of state
and county pages were put online there. Other servers and key personalities
involved in the project include Gene Stark at Gendex and the folks at
Gensource.
September 1996
As more volunteers came forward, some of the original cadre were able to
pass the reins of some of their responsibilities on to new enthusiastic
helpers, freeing time for them to more fully concentrate on their GenWeb
states and counties. The leadership of the USGenWeb project also changed
hands, but the original goal of the project remains unchanged. A USGenWeb
Bulletin Board was established, and many new county pages came online,
especially with the hard work of the state coordinators.
Into
the Future
In the USGenWeb Project you will find a well organized effort to place
genealogy materials on the Internet. This project is supported by hundreds
of volunteers all across the county. The system is organized by states and
counties, with each county having a coordinator responsible for maintaining
a site of resources which are available for that county. You'll also find
archives of genealogy records, which are organized by state and county.
The INGenWeb Project is an outgrowth of this effort. If the county in which
you are interested does not have a page or is marked ADOPTABLE and you wish
to participate, please contact our state coordinator, Lena Harper -
gostraka@yahoo.com.
Volunteers are needed in all phases of the project. This includes creating
and maintaining home pages, organizing archives submitted by volunteers, and
transcribing public records for inclusion in our archives.
Check out the Volunteer
Opportunities page for more info!
Won't you join us?
Past Indiana State Coordinators:
John Peck 2016-2017
Denise Wells 2012 - 2016
Katy Hestand 2011 – 2012
Debra Beheler 2004 – 2011
Gene Andert 2002 - 2004
Patrick Hays 2000 – 2002
Betty Sellers 1998 - 2000
Fred Finkbiner 1997 - 1998
Betty Sellers 1996 – 1997
|
