Presenter: Ed Mitukiewicz
Format: Download MP4 video file of Slides with synchronized audio

Genealogy researchers frequently have to face the challenges of identifying and locating in the present some places of interest from the past. Using place names as web search keywords is often ineffective because of inherent limitations of the existing search engines. Spelling or transliteration errors, use of multiple languages, similar or identical names of different locations, changes of names over time and shifting national borders tend to introduce additional complications. Genealogy researchers can take advantage of a variety of web-based resources ? including digital repositories of historical maps and related databases and tools ? to overcome many of those challenges, as illustrated by selected set of commonly encountered problems and sample solutions. The talk will also discuss a methodology for correlating information from multiple sources in order to ?triangulate? correct locations and suggest some ideas for potential future enhancements of the existing web tools.