ProQuest no longer allowing remote access for private genie libraries

ProQuest will no longer sell the remote access feature to historical or genealogy societies. They will continue to sell access to HeritageQuest Online databases for use in the societies' own libraries.

Proquest will allow remote access through the current contract with a society, so your own access may be gone next month or next year. They have already cut off the Godfrey library from what I understand.

http://genealogy.about.com/b/a/255825.htm


The good news is that if your local public library allows remote access, that service will continue.
Here's a link to some public libraries with HeritageQuest remote access for card holders:
http://www.eogen.com/HeritageQuestOnline

(for those of you who don't already use these data, there are census image files, Sanborn fire maps, and assorted genealogical and family history books available --a good resource.)

I access HeritageQuest via my account with the New England Historic and Genealogy Society. I would recommend this origination to anyone who had ancestors in New England.

ProQuest is ceasing remote access for all but public libraries. NEHGS will still have good content from their own data and will have patron access to HeritageQuest at the library in Boston.

Ever been there? The NEHGS building is a lovely old building in the Back Bay neighborhood.

I am SOO pissed! This was the main thing I loved about belonging to this type of database-- is being able to search at home while I'm writing and not interrupt everything.

Plus, I have a piddly shit podunk library that won't even get me ILL loans from Wisconsin. I doubt I'll be able to get Heritage Quest there. And the Dallas library won't allow me access because I'm from out of county.

I'm going to buy my own microfilm machine and just buy all this stuff outright. I know there are deals on EBay! Grrrrrr.....

The National Archives has a branch in Fort Worth. Perhaps you're beyond needing the basic stuff at the archives, but it's a thought.

http://www.archives.gov/southwest/index.html

And as much as I hate to bring up Family History Centers, do you use those?

I've used the National Archives and the Library of Congress in DC, though there are some limitations even to them.

But the Dallas library is so much closer, and has most of what I need. And I've actually unearthed cousins in Fort Worth too. The patriarch recently died though, so I need to give them some grieving time.

My Smiths and their descendants are now in pretty much every state of the union. I haven't found anyone in Maine yet, but pretty much every other state, 3 Canadian provinces, and at least 2 European countries. So no matter where I travel, I can ALWAYS find someone to look up when I'm there. How cool is that? We got ourselves a lil' ole dynasty, dontcha know.

My book is up to over 500 pages, with no end in sight. I'm doing OK, I just have to be more resourceful. But ask any of my cousins-- they'll tell you I'm part bloodhound! If I can Google em, I can find em!

And oh YEAH. I use the FHLs. reprehensor and I just got back from a trip to Salt Lake in February. My first time. I found all kinds of little goodies I wouldn't have found before.

Happy hunting!