I guess it depends on what you mean by "useful". I have purchased a few histories on CD that have proven useful to me, but that may not be what you're looking for.
It took a minute for me to get the hang of this blog. It may be useful to share what specifically you are searching for and what key words you have already used.
I have found a few things specific to the Popham name. Most of what I buy is collectibles about descendents, our landing in Maine, etc. It's nice to supplement the family history.
I have found old postcards and newspapers of the areas of our family research, books on genealogy, and CD's with state and local wills, etc. You just never know what's going to turn up on eBay!
I also have had some great opportunities thanks to the "My Favorite Searches" section. There I have listed places, surnames, etc. Every so often I receive a notice that something is up for auction under those categories and some have turned up to be very successful finds!
I've found vintage postcards, a family Bible, various genealogy books on cd, and I think a cousin on eBay!!
Genealogy in Everything Else is a start, but you can find quite a bit by searching the family names you're interested in, esp. if you add things like "birth certificate" or "will". I've also searched for cities and counties from where my ancestors hail. If you use "NAME photograph" as a search, you can sometimes find a treasure, too.
One thing about the books: if they are actual books, not digital, I check out sites like Alibris and Amazon before I buy - sometimes you can get a copy thru them cheaper than what the eBay seller wants. At any rate, it gives you a good idea on the book's price range.
Good hunting!
BTW, I'm looking for Hollingsworth and Manning the most, currently.
HI, What I have found useful, actually very useful, is to have ebay do automatic searches for me. I request searches on everything from surnames, towns/states where my ancestors are from, specific city directories, etc. Every so often I get a great hit. One time I located an old 1880's business card of my great grandfather. And just yesterday I located a lot of paper items from my elderly mother in law, from the 1930's & 40's. Her 1st license, graduation invitations, marriage invitations of other family members. After checking out how these Items got away from her (she is alive, however judgement isn't the best- at 91) we discovered that some men befriended her during a yard sale last summer and they visited her on occaision since then and she gives things away to them that they find interesting. They 'promised her they would not sell any of the items'. Guess what, they're selling it all to antique stores. So beware. Anyways, ask ebay to do the searches for you. They send you emails when ebay finds something that matches your request. You just delete it if it isn't anything you want. Also, I do lots of genealogy & help others, is there something in particular that you needed help with? Hope this helps, Cheryl3751
I agree with Cheryl. Also, don't hesitate to go the the website of Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness. I am a volunteer member and we all help each other with our genealogy documentation for free. I personally go to local cemeteries and photograph grave markers and take photos of the cemetery and whatever other info I can find. I have done this for people all over the world and saved them a trip to California. Others have saved me trips to New Zealand, England, and several states around the country.
But don't forget that ebay is a wealth of photos, documents, postcards, yearbooks, and other neat info, and you never know when you will get a surprise email notifying you of an item that is so exciting that it will bring tears to your eyes! I've had that good luck more than once!
I'm sure y'all know this, but I have a note by my computer to remind me to search with stuff intentionally misspelled! sounds silly but some of my most productive searches - not just on ebay - were with names that were not quite right!
Hello I have bought a few CDs I thought were useful, along with postcards. There are also several who offer their time to research, like myself. There are a variety of search specific items.
By useful, I guess I was thinking of old phone directories, histories, etc. I had no idea that I could get so specific with ebay searches. I have some very common names in my family and then some very unusual names. I'm looking for items related to St. Clair County, Illinois and Webster County, Kentucky. I am also trying to track down a birth certificate for my grandmother and great grandmother. My great grandmother has been a really hard person to follow around. She was married 5 times and lived in as many states!!!!! Thanks for all your info. Cathy
Must use Buy It Now and PayPal.
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