USGenWeb County Guidelines

State mail list

If you have not already done so, you need to join the mail list for your state of interest. This is where we discuss all matters having to do with the project. If your state of interest does not have a mail list you can request more information from the state coordinator.

Sample pages

Some of the state coordinators have prepared sample pages to help you get started. If your state does not have a sample file, you could check out other well-established websites for ideas. Some of these coordinators have had the opportunity to fine-tune their websites over time, so you should be able to find some excellent ideas.

Query page

Every county site must provide a query page or a hyperlink to an existing query page or board. This can be handled with an email link to you and posted manually, or if you have the resources, you can create an automatic mailmerge form page for receiving information. For information on managing queries, see the Query Management page.

County resource page and lookups

Every county site should provide some basic research information for their county. For instance, many of the county coordinators have provided a list of names, addresses and phone numbers for the county court clerk, library, and genealogical and/or historical societies. Many have also provided a bibliography page showing the reference books available for their county. lookups should be offered if you or your volunteers have received permission to do so from the book's author or publisher or the reference books you have available meet the copyright policies of The USGenWeb Project. 

The USGenWeb Project logo

The USGenWeb Project logo should be prominently displayed on your page. In addition, your state might have an official state logo that you will be expected to have on your page.

Link to State Page

Every county site must have a hyperlink to their State XXGenWeb Project. (You might also put a note telling people that if they have an interest in adopting a county they should contact the state coordinator and provide the state coordinator's email address).

Contact Information

"Contact information for the coordinator of any USGenWeb Project site must be on their USGenWeb Project site. The coordinator's name and contact information (email address and/or Email Registry ID) must be either on the main/index page of a site, or there be a link to a "Contact Info" page. If using a "Contact Info" page, the CC's name must still be on the main/index page of a site."

State requirements

In addition to The USGenWeb Project requirements, some states have additional requirements for their county, locality, town and/or special project sites. If the state you are interested in shows a FAQ, be sure you read or download it.

Recommended links

Although the following are not mandatory if they have been placed on the state sites, it is recommended that they also appear on your site for the convenience of those visiting your site.
A link to the The USGenWeb Project home page is recommended. The URL is: http://www.usgenweb.org. A link to the The USGenWeb Project Archives is also recommended. The Archives Table of Contents page (sorted by state) is located at: http://usgwarchives.net/. From this main page, follow the links to your state and county. The archives search option would be another helpful link to include: http://usgwarchives.net/search/searcharchives.html.
A link to the WorldGenWeb Project site is not mandatory, but feel free to add it if you so desire. The URL is: http://www.worldgenweb.org/.

Website Copyright

It is recommended that all websites within The USGenWeb Project, carry the following copyright notice: Copyright 1998 by (the name of the coordinator). Be sure to update the year.

County Mail List

If you would like to create a mail list for researchers in your county to exchange information, all websites in The USGenWeb Project may obtain a free mail list from RootsWeb. Just go to http://resources.rootsweb.ancestry.com/adopt/ and complete the form located there. Volunteers for The USGenWeb Project should ignore the statement regarding "sponsors."

Site Evaluations

As new county sites are put up on the web, they are checked by someone on the state evaluation committee for the required elements and to be sure your links work. Your evaluator will let you know when they have visited your page. If there are any problems with links or any required elements missing, they will let you know so you may make any changes or corrections. Post a message to your state mail list or state coordinator when you are ready for your site to be checked.

The USGenWeb Project policy on HTML code, graphics, etc.

It is the policy of The USGenWeb Project to obtain permission from the creator of the code, graphics, and backgrounds before using them on our sites unless they have been placed in the public domain. If you find yourself having used someone's code without their permission, please either obtain that permission or remove that feature from your sites. This includes sites of links that others have put together.

Welcome to the Project!

Beyond these few "bare essentials", your site is yours to do with as you please. Should there be any changes made in the basic guidelines/standards, you will be notified by your state coordinator and this website will be updated.We welcome you to The USGenWeb Project. If you need assistance with getting your site uploaded, don't hesitate to ask someone associated with your state project, or post a request to your state's list, the USGenWeb Helppages mail list and/or the RootsWeb Help mail list.