About the Bureau of Missing Ancestors Tools

The Bureau of Missing Ancestors - Everton's Bureau of Missing Ancestors was created with data from our previous database system, known as our On-Line Search. Now data used on the On-line Search is being transformed into a more usable system designed to allow researchers to save time, reach more researchers and make qualified judgment calls about information contained within our databases.

Search ALL Databases at One Time
All users can view results for all the databases. Search by first name and / or last name. Search results include returns from all the databases, showing the first five on the first page with the total number of results. Additional records are available on subsequent pages. The results return the ancestor's first name and last name and one event. Members can view the record details by clicking on the icon to the left of the first name.

View Submitter
Once in the record details, both Members can view the record submitter and a list of all the other records they have submitted. Members can also use the ancestor's message board, edit the record, add new information to the record and join the individual Ancestor's Network for FREE.

Add/Edit Records
When members add or edit record information, two great things happen:

1. The original record does not change. It's is kept whole and unchanged. The additional information is linked to the original record.
2. All new records or information must have proper documentation submitted with it. This allows fellow researchers to judge the validity of the information for themselves.

View Changes
Members can view the changes made to the record in two formats; one available under the "View Changes" link and the other under the "Edit Record" link. Each format allows the researcher to view the changes in a chronological order to easily compare the different edits.

Soon all record types will be editable. When that happens, databases like the Social Security Death Index will become living, breathing records. Even census and marriage records from hundreds of years ago will come to life.

Ancestor's Message Board
Each ancestor has a message board where Members can leave general questions and comments about the ancestor's record and research being done on this line. Messages can be replied to and e-mail alerts will be sent to the researcher who left the message.

Ancestor Network
Ancestor Network is a great tool for researchers. This tool creates a network of researchers for each ancestors. Each researcher that joins (no additional cost is necessary) can leave their contact information and e-mail address. If they leave their e-mail address, an alert e-mail will be sent each time a message is left on the ancestor's message board or a change is made to the record. This allows researchers to monitor the record effortlessly.

Add a New BMA
Members can also easily add a new record to the Bureau of Missing Ancestors. The program takes the researcher through the adding process in an easy step-by-step manner.

As more researchers use this site with these new functions, the information submitted will become more reliable and the research network for each ancestors will more effective then any other system.

Other New Site Tools

Genealogy Center - With thousands and thousands of articles, tips and tutorials at hand, the Genealogy Center is the most informative collection of genealogy and family research material in existence.

Using Everton's 5 Steps to Research and 3 Levels of Research, these articles are now at every researcher's finger tips. Articles published in Everton's Genealogical Helper, Newsline and tutorials created from 55 years of family research experience stock the center.

Researchers choose their level by reading clear definitions of what qualifies a research to be a beginning, experienced or advanced researcher.

All researchers need to start at step 1 for each project. Depending on where they are at in each project, they can jump to a step, read what to do next and search for articles about that step, specifically for their level of research.

Guests have access to the Genealogy Center as well. Two article are available at each step for each level for a total of 30 FREE articles that rotate, giving fresh content to our guests.

Members and Guests have access to a magazine area with the current issue of the magazine and article archives for the past seven years. This is contained within the Genealogy Center. This archives are constantly growing. We are working on getting all 55 years of the magazine online. These articles will be searchable by publication date as well as topics, step, level and keywords.

Newsline - The Newsline is a free e-mail newsletter sent to 30,000 subscribers. It contains tips, information and announcements about genealogy. These articles are posted to the website for all guests and members to search and peruse.  

Everton's Bookstore - Anyone can browse and purchase products in our bookstore. It's under the "Products" link on the home page. Registered guests and members can take advantage of our quick purchase feature by logging in to the site. The computer will remember you name, address and phone number to make the check out process a breeze.