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Research

Finding Federal Government Information on the Internet

The Federal Government publishes an enormous amount of information that is valuable for personal and professional reasons.

The Branches of Government

Other Websites of Interest

Using the Internet From Home

 
What Do You Need to Get Started on the Internet from Your Home?

Connecticut USA Internet Access Provider Lists

The List--Internet Service Providers


The Internet Center - Ferguson Internet Procedures and Guidelines

The Ferguson Library Internet Procedures and Guidelines

Welcome to The Ferguson Library's Public Access to the Internet. To maximize availability of this service for all potential users, please follow these procedures and guidelines:

  • First-time Internet users will be asked to register at the Reference Desk (second floor), or Children's Desk (lower level) to receive information on Internet training and an Internet instruction booklet. Thereafter, users are requested to sign-in each time to use the Internet workstation.
  • Children under age 18 who wish to use the Internet must have a parent or guardian complete a permission form.
  • Library staff's availability to help users with basic computer use or with Internet access is limited. Users must have basic computer skills, including the ability to use a mouse. Internet workshops have been scheduled to introduce methods for accessing the Internet.

Use of the Internet:

  • Access to an Internet workstation is limited to one hour per day, including time required to print and/or copy files. Please plan time accordingly.
  • Maximum of two people at a workstation at a time.
  • Internet workstations are for Internet use only.
  • Users must provide disks formatted for IBM PC in order to save files.
  • Misuse or abuse of the computer or Internet access will result in suspension of Internet access privileges.

Popular Internet Search Engines

About.com
This network of sites includes over 650 highly targeted environments, each overseen by a company-certified subject specialist dedicated to helping you get what you want quickly and easily. Each of these highly targeted, topic-specific sites provides a comprehensive experience, including link directories, original content and perspective, community features and e-shopping.

AltaVista
The AltaVista search engine integrates unique technology and services to deliver fast relevant results for individuals and Web-based businesses. With the integration of content platforms, AltaVista is able to offer a broad range of highly distinctive content and services to users.

Beaucoup!
Beaucoup is different because the engines listed on the main site are "free information" sites which offer a lot of information, not simply lists of commercial products or services. Their philosophy is that the way for the Internet/ WWW to grow and prosper is to have no governing force or prime authority.

CNET Search
CNET Search enables users to speed up browsing of the World Wide Web, quickly target and retrieve relevant information and communicate seamlessly with a virtually unlimited number of databases worldwide. It offers end-users a large scope of searchable pages and high search result relevancy.

Dogpile
Dogpile is a meta-search service that integrates several medium and large Web search and index guides into a single service. It also provides a single launching point for stock quotes, Usenet articles, weather forecasts, yellow pages, and more.

Excite
 Excite is a Web portal which offers free, personalized information and services. It includes 18 content channels, state-of-the-art search technology, Web-based email, PAL instant messaging, chat, and online shopping.

Google
Google delivers highly relevant search results by way of sophisticated next-generation technology. It responds to your query using an automated method that ranks relevant websites based on the link structure of the Internet itself.

Hotbot
The HotBot search engine integrates the latest technologies available to deliver relevant search results on the Web. HotBot has been named the Number One search engine on the Web by PC Computing, PC Magazine, PC World, SmartMoney, and CNET.

Infoseek
Infoseek integrates Internet services with leading consumer brands, creating a global media network. These services include an award-winning search engine; commerce connections to more than two million products from hundreds of retailers and service providers; and original programming content from leading consumer brands like ABC, Disney, ESPN and ZDNet. Since 1999 Infoseek operates the GO Network.

Lycos
Lycos is a comprehensive network of sites which serves all of the basic needs of its Internet visitors, acting as the home base and primary Web resource for its users. The Lycos Network is currently one of the most visited hubs on the Internet and includes Lycos.com, Tripod, Angelfire, WhoWhere, MailCity, HotBot, HotWired, Wired News, Webmonkey, Suck.com and MyTime.com.

LookSmart
LookSmart is used by more than 50 million users monthly through its partners and their own site (source: Media Metrix). It offers keyword search, a category-based directory, and interactive search services.

Metacrawler
MetaCrawler has been recognized as the "Best Search Engine" in 1997 and 1998 by PC Magazine. After receiving a search query it transforms it to the particular syntax of each of the supported engines and issues a search query to each of those. It then ranks the results and returns them to the user.

Northern Light
Northern Light enables you to search the World Wide Web and information from 5,400 premium sources. Results are combined with information from premium material in one search, giving you access to books, magazines, databases, and newswires not available from any other search engine.

WebCrawler
WebCrawler is designed to be simple and easy to use. When you use WebCrawler, you are actually searching an index of the Web rather than the Web itself.

Yahoo!
Yahoo! is a customized database designed to help users efficiently locate, identify and edit material stored on the Internet. Yahoo! contains information, organized by subject categories, from tens of thousands of computers linked to the Web.

The Internet Center

Searching for something on the Internet?

So you're all set up and ready to navigate the World Wide Web. Now what do you do?

Click on these for the basics of Internet searching:

What is a Search Engine?

Popular Internet Search Engines

Internet Tutorials

Internet tutorials on the world wide Web.

Learn the Net.com
Tutorials are given in English, Español, Français, Deutsch, and Russian.

Finding information on the Internet
A tutorial from the staff at the University of California at Berkeley.

Microsoft Insider's Complete Internet Guide and Web Tutorial

A Tutorial for Web Surfers
A tutorial from the staff at Yahoo.

What Do I need to Know to Use the Internet?

So you want to use the Internet?
For the basic things you need to know before you start navigating the Internet, click on any of the following links:

Basic things you need to know before connecting to the Internet

Computer operation basics

Mouse tutorial

Glossaries of computer and Internet terms

Internet tutorials on the World Wide Web

What is the Internet?

General Information on the Internet and the World Wide Web

Historical timeline of the Internet and the World Wide Web

The Internet around the world: Statistics and facts

The World Wide Web Consortium

Vital Records

 

Office of the Town Clerk

All requests for Vital Statistic information must be received in writing, accompanied by the proper payment. Certified copies (with a raised seal of authenticity) are available at a cost of $5.00 each. Please complete the appropriate request form and mail it with your check, payable to “The City of Stamford”. Photo ID must be shown when requesting information. For mailed requests, a photocopy of ID must be included.

• Copy of Birth Certificate Form
• Copy of Death Certificate Form
• Copy of Marriage Certificate Form
• Marriage License Application Form

Requests for vital statistic information, over 100 years old, are considered genealogical.

The City of Stamford is unable to fulfill requests for this information. City historic records are open for public inspection and anyone welcome to visit the office and search their family’s history.

 

Genealogical Research

Genealogical Databases Subscribed by the Ferguson Library

Ancestry.com - Great online source for family history. Only available on-site at The Ferguson Library.

Heritage Quest Online - Research resource for family history and American culture includes U.S. federal census records and the UMI Genealogy and Local History collection.

Stamford Advocate - Ferguson Library holdings – print, microfilm, and electronic versions of Stamford’s local newspaper.

Stamford Advocate Obituary Index

Online Resources

African Heritage- Sponsored by the Africana Studies Department at the University of South Florida. Provides records that document the names and lives of African-American slaves, freed persons, and their descendants.

 Cyndi's List - Genealogical research portal.

Ellis Island Foundation - Passenger list research and immigrant experience.

Family Search – Provides large free collection of family history, family tree, and genealogy records.

The Hale Collection - Cemetery inscriptions for selected Fairfield County Towns.

Historical Grave Stones – Images of various grave stones in Stamford.

Obituary Research– Obituary listings and publication dates from the U.S. and world newspapers.

Registration of Births, Marriages & Deaths of Stamford Families by Reverend Elijah B. Huntington.
 Stamford registration of births, marriages and deaths : including every name, relationship, and date now found in the Stamford registers, from the first record down to the year 1825.

RootsWeb.com - The oldest and largest free genealogy site.

Stamford Barbour Index – Births, marriages and deaths records (1641-1853).

List of Stamford Churches.

List of Stamford Synagogues.