You may be familiar with Internet Archive because of the Waybackmachine that archives websites that, if you’re lucky, you can find again once they are gone. Sadly, the old WorldConnect RootsWeb trees that included comments with so much valuable information can’t be found (or at least I can’t find them,) but many other obsolete websites are only available through Waybackmachine.
I must admit, I use this tool a lot. I also donate from time to time to help fund this valuable resource. However, there’s more to Internet Archive than Waybackmachine. A lot more.
Recently, I received an email with a link to their “Genealogy Collection,” here.
Just scroll down – but only if you have absolutely nothing else to do today.
I mean, you can get lost here forever.
You can browse on lots of pages, but you can also search.
I selected the surname Ferverda because it’s fairly unique. It was spelled Ferwerda in the Netherlands and is also spelled Fervida in my family line in the US.
Click to enlarge images
There are a total of 237 results searching the text contents, falling into several years, as you can see at left.
Scrolling on down that left-hand sidebar, you can see thatFerverda results fall into different categories as well.
Some of these, like Leesburg and Fort Wayne, I recognize based on knowing exactly where this family lived.
But Argentina? Did a family line immigrate there?
And the US patent office? Ok, I have to look, so I clicked.
I recognize the name of my uncle who was a research chemist in the paint industry.
I didn’t know he held patents though.
- Ferverda, Harold L., to General Electric Co. Method of making a laminated core. 2,786,006, 3-19-57, CI. 154 — 80.
- Ferverda, Harold L., to General Electric Co. Process for bonding dynamoelectric machine coil end turns and article produced therebv. 2,802,120, 8-6-57, CI 310 — 45.
Hey, look….there’s my grandfather who was the station agent for the railroad at one point in his life!
I wonder what this has to say about him.
Next, there’s the Ferwerda surname with all publications in Dutch, in the Netherlands, under the genealogy tab.
Some documents are available as images and some in a downloadable text version. Even if the document is written in a foreign language, automated translators are available through Google and other resources. Who knows what treasures might be lurking where you least expect them.
What interesting discoveries can you make? Maybe your names will be found in the genealogy collection too. Let me know if you find something good!
_____________________________________________________________
Disclosure
I receive a small contribution when you click on some of the links to vendors in my articles. This does NOT increase the price you pay but helps me to keep the lights on and this informational blog free for everyone. Please click on the links in the articles or to the vendors below if you are purchasing products or DNA testing.
Thank you so much.
DNA Purchases and Free Transfers
- FamilyTreeDNA – Y, mitochondrial and autosomal DNA testing
- MyHeritage DNA –Autosomal DNA test
- MyHeritage FREE DNA file upload – Transfer your results from other vendors free
- AncestryDNA – Autosomal DNA test
- 23andMe Ancestry – Autosomal DNA only, no Health
- 23andMe Ancestry Plus Health
Genealogy Products and Services
- MyHeritage FREE Tree Builder – Genealogy software for your computer
- MyHeritage Subscription with Free Trial
- Legacy Family Tree Webinars – Genealogy and DNA classes, subscription-based, some free
- Legacy Family Tree Software – Genealogy software for your computer
- Charting Companion – Charts and Reports to use with your genealogy software or FamilySearch
- Newspapers.com
Genealogy Research
- Legacy Tree Genealogists – Professional genealogy research
Books
- Genealogical.com – Lots of wonderful genealogy research books