Sant’Ana, João Gabriel. Genealogia Sebastianense (Genealogy of [People from] São Sebastião). São Paulo: s.n., 1976. (FHL book 981.61 D2s; computer number 0609142.) This book includes genealogical data for families of several cities in the state of São Paulo from 1532 to 1975.

Silva Leme, Luíz Gonzaga da. Genealogia Paulistana (Genealogy of [People from] São Paulo). 9 vols. São Paulo: Duprat, 1903–1905. (FHL book 981.61 D2g; films 0823694–0823697; computer number 0024201.)

Rheingantz, Carlos G. Primeiras Famílias do Rio de Janeiro (First Families of Rio de Janeiro). Rio de Janeiro: Livraria Brasiliana Editora, 1965. (FHL book 981.53/R1 D2r; computer number 0023442.)

Another book that has short descriptions of surname origins and genealogy of prominent families in the state of Minas Gerais is:

Rezende, Oswaldo. Genealogia de Tradicionais Famílias de Minas (Genealogy of Traditional Families of Minas). São Paulo: Empresa Gráfica da Revista dos Tribunais, 1969. (FHL book 981.51 D2r; computer number 0023118.)

The Family History Library has some published Brazilian family histories. Copies at the Family History Library are listed in the “Surname Search” section of the Family History Library Catalog. Not every name found in a family history will be listed in the Family History Library Catalog; only the major surnames discussed in the family history are included in the catalog.

Unpublished family histories are sometimes held by private individuals in Brazil. These pertain mostly to descendants of prominent families and Brazilian nobility. These individuals may have collected a variety of unpublished records pertaining to their own families. Such materials are generally inaccessible for research unless you can establish contact with the appropriate individuals.

Many Brazilian family histories are indexed in:

• Moya, Salvador de. Índices Genealógicos Brasileiros (Indexes of Brazilian Genealogies). 10 vols. São Paulo: Instituto Genealógico Brasileiro. (FHL book 981 D22m; films 0823691, 0823693, 1224508; computer number 0018401.) This book indexes various genealogical Brazilian works.

Anuário Genealógico Latino (Latin Genealogical Yearbook). 10 vols. São Paulo: Instituto Genealógico Brasileiro. (FHL book 981 D2g, films 0547087 item 5, 0823753–0823755, 1224501, 1410967 item 5; computer number 0017876.) This publication is a continuation of the publication cited above.

Anuário Genealógico Brasileiro (Genealogical Brazilian Yearbook). 10 vols. São Paulo: Instituto Genealógico Brasileiro. (FHL book 981 D2a; films 0823687–0823690; computer number 0017639.) This publication is continued by Anuário Genealógico Latino.

Many Brazilian family histories are listed in:

Moya, Salvador de. Catálogo de Autores Genealógicos (Catalog of Genealogical Authors). São Paulo: Departamento de Cultura, 1937. (FHL book 981 A1 no. 15; computer number 0049997.)

If you find your surname in any of the sources described in this section, determine whether the entry actually pertains to your family. All persons with the same surname are not necessarily related. Often you will have to do some original research before you can connect your ancestry to families listed in these sources. See also the “Societies” section of this outline.

Computer Networks and Bulletin Boards

Computers with modems can be useful tools for obtaining information from selected archives and libraries. In a way, computer networks themselves serve as a library. Most of the information on the Internet is compiled from secondary sources and will need to be verified, but it may identify useful clues and new sources to search. The Internet, certain computer bulletin boards, and commercial online services help family history researchers:

• Locate other researchers.
• Post queries.
• Send and receive e-mail.
• Search large databases.
• Search computer libraries.
• Join in computer chat and lecture sessions.