I haven't participated yet in the Sharing Memories series, but this week's prompt spoke to me. As you could probably tell from some of my earlier posts, I'm a bibliophile. So when I saw this week's prompt was about books, I had to jump in.
This week's prompt is what kind of books did you read as a kid.
I've always been an avid reader, even as a child. My mom read a lot and passed it on to me. I've continued the tradition by instilling a love of books in my daughter. Even though she's only five, she has quite a collection of books-some early readers that she can read on her own and others that my husband or I read to her.
I attended a small combination elementary and middle school as a child with one librarian covering the entire school. We were limited to choosing only books deemed appropriate for our age range and only able to check out two per week. As someone who could easily go through a book a day (still can if I have the free time), this frustrated me.
Thankfully, the librarian was an amazing woman who realized this. She raised both limits for me, allowing me access to all the books in the library and letting me take out more than two books per week. She also recommended books that I might not have chosen on my own, opening my eyes to a wide variety of books. She must have alerted the high school librarian of my love for reading because I had an increased check out limit when I got there as well.
I will read about anything I can get my hands on, but my favorite has always been mysteries. There's nothing like curling up with a good mystery, gleaning all the clues from the pages and trying to solve it before the answer is revealed at the end of the book.
Being a mystery lover, it's no surprise that it's that genre of books that stands out most clearly in my mind when I think of childhood reading.
Nancy Drew
I loved Nancy Drew and have read most of them. What wasn't to love about a girl that defied stereotypes, had all kind of adventures, drove around in a convertible and had great friends like Bess and George? I didn't just like the series; I wanted to be Nancy.
I still have a few that have followed me to adulthood. They're a little advanced for my daughter, but I hope one day she'll love the series as much as I did as a child.
Hardy Boys
The Hardy Boys series was another frequently read one in my childhood. I loved reading about their adventures. They did a lot and had fun. I'm sure I'm not the only girl that had a crush on the boys either.
As with the Nancy Drew books, I still have a few that I've put up for my daughter.
The Three Investigators
While it took me a bit to remember the title, I distinctly remembered the series. Three boys running a detective agency out of an old trailer buried in a junkyard just fascinated me. The fact that they were younger than Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys was neat too. Nothing like chasing down clues and suspects on a bicycle.
The Boxcar Children
I adored the Boxcar Children series. Unfortunately, neither the school library or local public library had many of the series so I didn't get to read the entire series. They still stand out in my memory though. Once my daughter is a little older, I'll probably try to see if I can get the books for her to read.
Little House on the Prairie
While not a mystery, the Little House series was a childhood favorite. My parents bought me the boxed set for Christmas when I was seven and they have been well-read over the years. I still have them (are you noticing a theme?) and will give them to my daughter when she's older.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Monday, February 20, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Book Review: West Virginia Genealogy Sources & Resources
While the copy I own is new, the book was actually published in 1988. Don't let that scare you away out of fear it is outdated, though. Some the prices may have went up since the book was published, but the majority of the information in the book is still of us.
In writing the book, the author sent questionnaires/surveys to all county clerks, at least one library in each county and all known genealogical and historical societies in the state. County clerks were asked to provide information on their records, restrictions to records, whether they handle research requests and what they charge if they do.
Libraries were asked for information about the library (hours, contact information, etc), the size of their genealogical holdings, and whether they have restrictions on access or answer research requests. Societies were asked to provide information on their group (size, start date, dues, etc); whether they answered queries, whether they operated a library, archives or museum; their holdings and whether they offered publications for sale.
All the information garnered from these questionnaires was included in the book. For ones that didn't respond, the author attempted to provide the information from other sources.
The book consists of an introduction, six chapters, three appendices and an index. The first chapter is quite brief and offers a quick overview of the state of West Virginia. To give you an idea of how brief, the entire chapter is covered in 2 pages.
The second chapter gets into vital and county records. It starts by giving an overview of record-keeping and requesting records. Then it gets to the meaty stuff with the details on what each county courthouse has. Each county will have a short paragraph about the county including its formation, then lists what years are covered in the records, and information on in-person research and written queries. Some counties have more information than others because not all clerks responded to the questionnaire.
Chapters three and four get into other types of records. These include family Bibles, newspapers, land records and naturalization, just to name a few.
In chapter five, we learn about genealogical collections. The first part of the chapter covers larger collections at the state level. The rest of the chapter is broken down alphabetically by county.. The library surveys are used to fill it in.
Chapter six covers genealogical and historical societies. Again, it is organized alphabetically by county. This is not a comprehensive list because I know of at least one society that wasn't included. The way it handles non-county specific societies such as the state genealogical society is a little disappointing. I actually missed it at first because it's buried in a county listing, I would have preferred to have it in a separate section.
Appendix A is a bibliography of genealogy sources. It is broken down by topic (military, newspapers, etc) and then by county. Appendix B is an inventory to the Historical Records Survey Archives, which are available on microfilm at the West Virginia University Library. It gives a brief description of what is on each of the 299 reels.
Last but not least, Appendix C is a list of West Virginians who filed Civil War damage claims with the Southern Claims Commission. It gives the individual's name, county and file number.
Even accounting for the possibility that some of the information in the book may be out of date, I would still recommend the book to others researching West Virginia ancestors. While it doesn't cover every available source in the state (I don't think any book does), it is jam-packed with information that can be used in your research.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
New Feature: My Genealogy Library
As I've mentioned before, I love books. I read just about everything. Recently I've been working on expanding my personal genealogy library. I've added traditional and digital books on everything from how to do genealogy to local histories and genealogies.
Some books were based on recommendations from other genealogists. Others were stumbled across in the course of researching. A few were found by searching for books on a specific area or family. All are helpful to my research and to my goal of becoming a professional genealogist.
I have put together a list of all the genealogy books currently in my library and shared it here. Just click the "My Genealogy Library" tab just under the header to get to it. The books are divided by topic area for easier finding. Since one of my goals for this year is to read at least one genealogy book and review it every month, you will notice that some books have links to a review. As I review each book, I'll add a link to it.
It is my hope that this list will be helpful for others building their genealogy library. If you need a lookup in one of the books, just let me know.
Some books were based on recommendations from other genealogists. Others were stumbled across in the course of researching. A few were found by searching for books on a specific area or family. All are helpful to my research and to my goal of becoming a professional genealogist.
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| Some of the books currently in my library. The big blue binder on the left side is my education binder and the black box on the right side is my index file |
I have put together a list of all the genealogy books currently in my library and shared it here. Just click the "My Genealogy Library" tab just under the header to get to it. The books are divided by topic area for easier finding. Since one of my goals for this year is to read at least one genealogy book and review it every month, you will notice that some books have links to a review. As I review each book, I'll add a link to it.
It is my hope that this list will be helpful for others building their genealogy library. If you need a lookup in one of the books, just let me know.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Book Review: Genealogical Proof Standard
The book is quite short, less than 100 pages. I actually read the entire book in one sitting. The book includes an introduction, five chapters, epilogue, suggested sources and an index. As the title implies, the book is about applying the genealogical proof standard (GPS) to your work in order to build a solid case..
The first chapter is all about the GPS. The various components are explored. It also gives a good explanation of original vs derivative sources, primary vs secondary information and direct vs indirect evidence.
The second chapter goes into building a solid case. It includes when to use the GPS, the whos and whys, cautions and how to reach a sound conclusion when problems are present.
In the third chapter, we learn about evaluating records. A few common record types are explored and classified. I found it interesting that some records could fall within more than one classification or have varying degrees of credibility depending on the individual record.
Two case studies are found in the fourth chapter. The first is a hypothetical case and the second a real-life one. The hypothetical case is fairly clear-cut. The real-life one is explored showing the various records available, the conclusions that can be drawn from them individually and then the conclusion reached when combining everything using the GPS.
The last chapter talks about proof arguments and summaries. It gives a good breakdown of what needs to go in these. Interspersed through the book are various examples and images to illustrate the points. The suggested source list is brief, but offers several options for further research into the GPS.
While brief, I felt the book covered a lot of ground in an easy-to-understand format.I also like the small size since it can be easily taken along with me if I'm researching away from home and want a refresher.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Confession: I'm a Genealogy Book Addict Too
I have to confess. I went a little crazy yesterday. Armed with a $200 Amazon gift card and a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card, I set out to expand my personal genealogy library. You see, I'm not just addicted to genealogy; I'm also addicted to genealogy books.
So what did I get for my $250? A lot actually. If you've read my other blog, you know I'm thrifty so I wanted to make sure I got as much as I could with what I had. To make my money go further, I chose to buy some of the books used. This, combined with free shipping on most of the books and coupon codes found online, enabled me to get more than I expected.
I ended up getting 14 books, the ones listed below plus an updated edition of one I already had. Considering 3 of the books were over $30 each, I'm happy that I was able to stretch my money so far.
Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians by Elizabeth Shown Mills
I've been wanting this book for a while, but the price was holding me back. Even buying it used, it was still the most expensive book I bought in my shopping spree. However, if it puts me one step closer to becoming a professional genealogist, it's worth every penny.
The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual by the BCG
This is another book to help me reach a professional level. One of my long-term goals is to become accredited and/or certified as a genealogist. While written by the BCG, I'm sure it will be helpful in whatever I decide.
Courthouse Research for Family Historians: Your Guide to Genealogical Treasures by Christine Rose
I haven't yet researched in a courthouse, although I plan to in the coming year. This will help me get me ready for when I do take my first step.
Genealogical Proof Standard by Christine Rose
One thing I'm really working at is making sure that my research meets the GPS. As with the BCG Genealogical Standards Manual, this book can help me take my research to a higher level.
The Family Tree Problem Solver: Tried-and-True Tactics for Tracing Elusive Ancestors by Marsha Hoffman Rising
Even though some of my brick walls have started crumbling a little in the last year, I want to get them knocked all the way down. I'm hoping this book will be the sledgehammer I need to get it done.
The Genealogist's Companion and Sourcebook by Emily Croom
When looking at recommendations from some of my favorite geneabloggers, this book kept popping up so I had to check it out. Between this and The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy, I should have a pretty good reference section on the types of records available. This was one of my cheapest buys. I bought it used and actually ended up spending more on the shipping than I did the book.
Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyperspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills
While I have a general grasp of citation, it's definitely an area of weakness for me. I know I'm probably one of the last to get a copy, but better late than never. Once it's arrived and I've had a chance to do some in-depth reading, I hope to see an improvement in my evaluation and citation of sources. As with Professional Genealogy, this was one of my more expensive buys.
Becoming an Accredited Genealogist: Plus 100 Tips to Ensure Your Success by Karen Clifford
As with the BCG manual, this is a tool to help me reach my eventual goal. Aside from getting letters behind my name, I'm sure the book will help me improve my all over genealogy skills as well.
Census Substitutes & State Census Records-Eastern States by William Dollarhide
As you may already know, there are actually two volumes in this series, one for the eastern states and a second for the western states. Since my personal research is in the eastern states and I also plan to specialize here, I decided to start with it first. I will most likely be buying the volume that covers the western states at a later point.
Printed Sources: A Guide to Published Genealogical Records by Kory Meyerink
There are a lot of printed sources out there that I haven't uncovered yet. I wanted this book to help me find them. While I'm sure there have been more printed since the book was published, it will still give me a good foundation to build on.
QuickSheet: Citing Online Historical Resources by Elizabeth Shown Mills
I know it's not a book, but I still bought it. Even though I've also purchased Evidence Explained, I wanted something that I could keep on hand for quick reference.
West Virginia Genealogy: Sources and Resources by Carol McGinnis
My paternal line is all from West Virginia. I'll be going there in April to visit my great grandmother and research. This book will help me put together a plan for the trip. The book was also chosen to add to a section of my personal library which is devoted to state research. I started it last month with books for Virginia, Indiana and Georgia and will be adding more state-specific books as my budget allows.
Kentucky Ancestry: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research by Roseann Reinemuth Hogan
As with the book on West Virginia, this one is for my personal research and my state collection. In researching my Kentucky ancestors, I've uncovered some material, but I know there's a lot more to be found.
Since I've already started the ball rolling by reviewing Virginia Genealogical Research, I've decided to keep going with it. As I complete each book, I'll do a review here. I read a lot so I'll probably end up covering all the books I bought in the next year. Then I can go buy more.
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| Photo credit: bookworm by Wynand van Niekerk |
So what did I get for my $250? A lot actually. If you've read my other blog, you know I'm thrifty so I wanted to make sure I got as much as I could with what I had. To make my money go further, I chose to buy some of the books used. This, combined with free shipping on most of the books and coupon codes found online, enabled me to get more than I expected.
I ended up getting 14 books, the ones listed below plus an updated edition of one I already had. Considering 3 of the books were over $30 each, I'm happy that I was able to stretch my money so far.
Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians by Elizabeth Shown Mills
I've been wanting this book for a while, but the price was holding me back. Even buying it used, it was still the most expensive book I bought in my shopping spree. However, if it puts me one step closer to becoming a professional genealogist, it's worth every penny.
The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual by the BCG
This is another book to help me reach a professional level. One of my long-term goals is to become accredited and/or certified as a genealogist. While written by the BCG, I'm sure it will be helpful in whatever I decide.
Courthouse Research for Family Historians: Your Guide to Genealogical Treasures by Christine Rose
I haven't yet researched in a courthouse, although I plan to in the coming year. This will help me get me ready for when I do take my first step.
Genealogical Proof Standard by Christine Rose
One thing I'm really working at is making sure that my research meets the GPS. As with the BCG Genealogical Standards Manual, this book can help me take my research to a higher level.
The Family Tree Problem Solver: Tried-and-True Tactics for Tracing Elusive Ancestors by Marsha Hoffman Rising
Even though some of my brick walls have started crumbling a little in the last year, I want to get them knocked all the way down. I'm hoping this book will be the sledgehammer I need to get it done.
The Genealogist's Companion and Sourcebook by Emily Croom
When looking at recommendations from some of my favorite geneabloggers, this book kept popping up so I had to check it out. Between this and The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy, I should have a pretty good reference section on the types of records available. This was one of my cheapest buys. I bought it used and actually ended up spending more on the shipping than I did the book.
Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyperspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills
While I have a general grasp of citation, it's definitely an area of weakness for me. I know I'm probably one of the last to get a copy, but better late than never. Once it's arrived and I've had a chance to do some in-depth reading, I hope to see an improvement in my evaluation and citation of sources. As with Professional Genealogy, this was one of my more expensive buys.
Becoming an Accredited Genealogist: Plus 100 Tips to Ensure Your Success by Karen Clifford
As with the BCG manual, this is a tool to help me reach my eventual goal. Aside from getting letters behind my name, I'm sure the book will help me improve my all over genealogy skills as well.
Census Substitutes & State Census Records-Eastern States by William Dollarhide
As you may already know, there are actually two volumes in this series, one for the eastern states and a second for the western states. Since my personal research is in the eastern states and I also plan to specialize here, I decided to start with it first. I will most likely be buying the volume that covers the western states at a later point.
Printed Sources: A Guide to Published Genealogical Records by Kory Meyerink
There are a lot of printed sources out there that I haven't uncovered yet. I wanted this book to help me find them. While I'm sure there have been more printed since the book was published, it will still give me a good foundation to build on.
QuickSheet: Citing Online Historical Resources by Elizabeth Shown Mills
I know it's not a book, but I still bought it. Even though I've also purchased Evidence Explained, I wanted something that I could keep on hand for quick reference.
West Virginia Genealogy: Sources and Resources by Carol McGinnis
My paternal line is all from West Virginia. I'll be going there in April to visit my great grandmother and research. This book will help me put together a plan for the trip. The book was also chosen to add to a section of my personal library which is devoted to state research. I started it last month with books for Virginia, Indiana and Georgia and will be adding more state-specific books as my budget allows.
Kentucky Ancestry: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research by Roseann Reinemuth Hogan
As with the book on West Virginia, this one is for my personal research and my state collection. In researching my Kentucky ancestors, I've uncovered some material, but I know there's a lot more to be found.
Since I've already started the ball rolling by reviewing Virginia Genealogical Research, I've decided to keep going with it. As I complete each book, I'll do a review here. I read a lot so I'll probably end up covering all the books I bought in the next year. Then I can go buy more.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Sometimes Googling It Pays Off
The other day, I talked about a possible family for my paternal 4th great grandmother Rebecca Schoolcraft Radcliff. However, I only had indirect evidence that Aaron Schoolcraft was in fact her father. I decided to turn to Google to see if I could find some clues.
As I suspected, there were several family trees on the first page of results. However, I didn't expect that one of those trees would give me an entire page of sources and notes for him and his family. I'd unwittingly stumbled onto a genealogy goldmine.
In the notes for one of the books, History of Harrison County West Virginia From the Early Days of Northwestern Virginia to the Present by Henry Haymond, I found references to not only the Schoolcrafts, but also some other familiar surnames I've researched in West Virginia and Virginia. These included the Radcliffs, Sleeths and Neals, all surnames from my paternal line.
I decided to see if I could find a copy of the book online. Heritage Quest had it digitized so I looked through it there. However, while you can download pages from the book, there's a daily limit on how many and the number of pages that referenced my surnames went beyond the limit. So I jumped over to Google Books, which had it as well and allowed me to download the entire book.
The family tree that led me to this book had several other books listed as well. I've downloaded most of them and will be going through them to see what other information I can find. While the books aren't primary evidence, they can still be helpful in my research by offering clues.
As I suspected, there were several family trees on the first page of results. However, I didn't expect that one of those trees would give me an entire page of sources and notes for him and his family. I'd unwittingly stumbled onto a genealogy goldmine.
In the notes for one of the books, History of Harrison County West Virginia From the Early Days of Northwestern Virginia to the Present by Henry Haymond, I found references to not only the Schoolcrafts, but also some other familiar surnames I've researched in West Virginia and Virginia. These included the Radcliffs, Sleeths and Neals, all surnames from my paternal line.
I decided to see if I could find a copy of the book online. Heritage Quest had it digitized so I looked through it there. However, while you can download pages from the book, there's a daily limit on how many and the number of pages that referenced my surnames went beyond the limit. So I jumped over to Google Books, which had it as well and allowed me to download the entire book.
The family tree that led me to this book had several other books listed as well. I've downloaded most of them and will be going through them to see what other information I can find. While the books aren't primary evidence, they can still be helpful in my research by offering clues.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Book Review: Virginia Genealogical Research
As you will recall from my post about the Georgia Family History Expo, I purchased three books for my genealogy library. Today, I want to talk about Virginia Genealogical Research. The book is written by George K. Schweitzer, PhD, ScD.
Even though there are 223 pages (the last few being information on the author's other books and products), the book is broken up into only four chapters. These are background, types of records, record locations and county listings. If you're looking for something in particular, the best thing to do is go to the table of contents in the front of the book, which lists all the sections in each chapter.
Background covers the history of the state. While each time period in the state's growth and development is covered, it's not a big chapter. There is a section of the chapter that suggests books for further information.
Types of records is, as its name implies, a listing of the various types of records available for Virginia. For each type of record, a handful of sources are given. These include websites, books, magazines and CD-roms. One nice feature about many of the websites listed is that it includes the steps you need to go through to get to the particular record group. Since websites do sometimes move stuff around, breaking links in the process, this could be helpful. Of course, if the steps to get to a particular collection have changed, it renders the instructions in the book useless.
The chapter on record locations gives a breakdown of the main repositories for Virginia genealogy information, including the Library of Virginia, Virginia Historical Society and more. It gives a basic overview of the repository at the time the book was wrote and some tips on researching there. This chapter also has a small list of internet sites that may be helpful in research, which include subscription and other sites.
The final chapter gives a breakdown of available information for each county. While not extensive, it's a good starting point to see what records are available for the county. The book does note record losses due to the Civil War or fires. County listings do include local libraries and societies. If the county listings have you confused, flip back to the beginning of the chapter to see what the abbreviations mean. For instance, CH means that record is available at the courthouse.
The main flaw I see with the book is that it gives short shrift to the parts that were originally in Virginia and are now in other states. Of the entire book, I found only a single sentence that mentioned this and the specific counties were not named. Someone researching a family in census records and not being aware that the county is now in a different state may wonder why the county is not included in the book even though it was in Virginia at one point in time.
For my paternal line, which was from the part of Virginia that is now West Virginia, the last chapter isn't very useful. I do have some maternal ancestors from the eastern portion of Virginia (which is still in the state) so the book will be helpful for them.
As far as the book as a whole, it offers a lot of information for its size. However, I wouldn't consider it my primary reference for Virginia research. In fact, I will probably be seeking out another book or two to supplement the areas it glossed over.
I do want to point out that it appears there is more than one version of this book. There is a version published in 1983 and the updated version that I bought, which was published in 2005 based on the copyright. If you do plan to purchase Virginia Genealogical Research, I would suggest the updated version. From the review I found on the 1983 version, it does not include internet resources while the updated version does.
Note: I have no affiliation with the author or publisher of this book, nor was I asked to review it. I bought it myself and wanted to share my thoughts on it. If you would like to purchase a copy of the book yourself, the 1983 version is available on Amazon and the current version is available from the author or Family Roots Publishing.
Even though there are 223 pages (the last few being information on the author's other books and products), the book is broken up into only four chapters. These are background, types of records, record locations and county listings. If you're looking for something in particular, the best thing to do is go to the table of contents in the front of the book, which lists all the sections in each chapter.
Background covers the history of the state. While each time period in the state's growth and development is covered, it's not a big chapter. There is a section of the chapter that suggests books for further information.
Types of records is, as its name implies, a listing of the various types of records available for Virginia. For each type of record, a handful of sources are given. These include websites, books, magazines and CD-roms. One nice feature about many of the websites listed is that it includes the steps you need to go through to get to the particular record group. Since websites do sometimes move stuff around, breaking links in the process, this could be helpful. Of course, if the steps to get to a particular collection have changed, it renders the instructions in the book useless.
The chapter on record locations gives a breakdown of the main repositories for Virginia genealogy information, including the Library of Virginia, Virginia Historical Society and more. It gives a basic overview of the repository at the time the book was wrote and some tips on researching there. This chapter also has a small list of internet sites that may be helpful in research, which include subscription and other sites.
The final chapter gives a breakdown of available information for each county. While not extensive, it's a good starting point to see what records are available for the county. The book does note record losses due to the Civil War or fires. County listings do include local libraries and societies. If the county listings have you confused, flip back to the beginning of the chapter to see what the abbreviations mean. For instance, CH means that record is available at the courthouse.
The main flaw I see with the book is that it gives short shrift to the parts that were originally in Virginia and are now in other states. Of the entire book, I found only a single sentence that mentioned this and the specific counties were not named. Someone researching a family in census records and not being aware that the county is now in a different state may wonder why the county is not included in the book even though it was in Virginia at one point in time.
For my paternal line, which was from the part of Virginia that is now West Virginia, the last chapter isn't very useful. I do have some maternal ancestors from the eastern portion of Virginia (which is still in the state) so the book will be helpful for them.
As far as the book as a whole, it offers a lot of information for its size. However, I wouldn't consider it my primary reference for Virginia research. In fact, I will probably be seeking out another book or two to supplement the areas it glossed over.
I do want to point out that it appears there is more than one version of this book. There is a version published in 1983 and the updated version that I bought, which was published in 2005 based on the copyright. If you do plan to purchase Virginia Genealogical Research, I would suggest the updated version. From the review I found on the 1983 version, it does not include internet resources while the updated version does.
Note: I have no affiliation with the author or publisher of this book, nor was I asked to review it. I bought it myself and wanted to share my thoughts on it. If you would like to purchase a copy of the book yourself, the 1983 version is available on Amazon and the current version is available from the author or Family Roots Publishing.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Georgia Family History Expos-The Exhibitors
It didn't seem like there were as many exhibitors as there was last year, but there were still some good ones. Two local businesses were there doing giveaways, one for a Mercedes Smart Car and one for a $250 Home Depot Gift Card. I had their names wrote down, but can't seem to find them right now.
FamilySearch was also there. I have to talk about them. One of my genealogy puzzles is my husband's paternal line. They came from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which broke up a few years later and the land has changed hands and names a few times since then. Even though I had the birthplaces for both the parents and children from their naturalization record, I wasn't having much luck finding information on those localities or records for the family.
After speaking to one of the people at the exhibit, they recommended I talk to Tamra Stansfield, the German Research Consultant who also works in International Research. She was apparently very popular because it took me stopping by a couple times and waiting for a bit before I could talk to her.
While she wasn't familiar with the area, she did manage to come up with a few books at the Family History Library that might be helpful for me. Since they weren't available online, she suggested I post a lookup request on the FamilySearch Forums. For some reason, the forums wouldn't let me in so she gave me her card and said for me to email her and she would look it up herself once she got back. Now that's service.
Another helpful exhibit that I have to give props to is the Ask the Pros booth. I spoke to Billy Edgington there. I asked her about my family that disappeared for 20 years and she gave me some things to try. I also asked her about my husband's family and she recommended someone else at the Family History Library for me to talk to.
I also got to meet Lisa Louise Cooke of the Genealogy Gems Podcast. I checked out the other exhibitors including Elise Friedman of FamilyTreeDNA, the Georgia Genealogical Society, the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (Metro Atlanta Chapter) and Genealogy Book Printing.
I learned about two new (to me anyway) sites that could be helpful in genealogy. The first was JustAJoy, a service that matches family heirloom held by antique dealers or collectors with family members. They have items for over 40,000 families. It's free to search for items related to your surname, but you have to have a subscription to the site ($20 for a year at the time of this post) to get the contact information for the person or business that has the item. I do want to note that while there are some items offered for free, some require purchase.
The other new to me site was AGES-Online. It appears to be an online-based family tree builder. Since it is online-based, it can go wherever you have an internet connection. So rather than bring your laptop to the library, you can sit down at one of the computers there, sign in to the site and attach facts and sources to your tree on the spot. As of the time of this post, it's free to try for 30 days, after which a subscription is required to continue using the service. They do have varying subscription levels so you can find the one that best fits your needs and budget.
Last but not least was the books. I'm a book lover. My genea-cave currently serves as my personal library as well and I have five bookcases lined up along one wall. I really need a couple more. Every shelf is full of books and some shelves are even double stacked. Needless to say, I had to check out the book exhibits, which included Family Roots Publishing andWolf's Head Books.
I ended up buying a 38 generation ahnentafel wall chart and three books. They were out of the charts so I'll have to wait for it to be shipped. Like the name implies, it covers 38 generations of ancestors from a single couple. It has room for details on the first 9 generations; the remainder of the generations only have space for the names. Once it arrives and I get it filled out, I'll frame it and hang it in my genea-cave surrounded by family pictures.
The three books I chose were Georgia Genealogical Research, Indiana Genealogical Research and Virginia Genealogical Research. Each book contains an overview of the state, available record types and where they can be found and county listings, which includes information on the formation of the county, available records and libraries in the area. I probably would have bought more of these books, but couldn't find any more on the state I'm interested in.
I did check their website once I got home and saw that they do have some books available for other states. Since I like the books, I think I'll start buying all of the ones available, even if I don't need them for my personal research. They will still be helpful for the genealogy reference library I'm building for when I start working as a professional genealogist.
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| The Mercedes Smart Car. Isn't it cute? I had to enter the drawing. |
After speaking to one of the people at the exhibit, they recommended I talk to Tamra Stansfield, the German Research Consultant who also works in International Research. She was apparently very popular because it took me stopping by a couple times and waiting for a bit before I could talk to her.
While she wasn't familiar with the area, she did manage to come up with a few books at the Family History Library that might be helpful for me. Since they weren't available online, she suggested I post a lookup request on the FamilySearch Forums. For some reason, the forums wouldn't let me in so she gave me her card and said for me to email her and she would look it up herself once she got back. Now that's service.
Another helpful exhibit that I have to give props to is the Ask the Pros booth. I spoke to Billy Edgington there. I asked her about my family that disappeared for 20 years and she gave me some things to try. I also asked her about my husband's family and she recommended someone else at the Family History Library for me to talk to.
I also got to meet Lisa Louise Cooke of the Genealogy Gems Podcast. I checked out the other exhibitors including Elise Friedman of FamilyTreeDNA, the Georgia Genealogical Society, the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (Metro Atlanta Chapter) and Genealogy Book Printing.
I learned about two new (to me anyway) sites that could be helpful in genealogy. The first was JustAJoy, a service that matches family heirloom held by antique dealers or collectors with family members. They have items for over 40,000 families. It's free to search for items related to your surname, but you have to have a subscription to the site ($20 for a year at the time of this post) to get the contact information for the person or business that has the item. I do want to note that while there are some items offered for free, some require purchase.
The other new to me site was AGES-Online. It appears to be an online-based family tree builder. Since it is online-based, it can go wherever you have an internet connection. So rather than bring your laptop to the library, you can sit down at one of the computers there, sign in to the site and attach facts and sources to your tree on the spot. As of the time of this post, it's free to try for 30 days, after which a subscription is required to continue using the service. They do have varying subscription levels so you can find the one that best fits your needs and budget.
Last but not least was the books. I'm a book lover. My genea-cave currently serves as my personal library as well and I have five bookcases lined up along one wall. I really need a couple more. Every shelf is full of books and some shelves are even double stacked. Needless to say, I had to check out the book exhibits, which included Family Roots Publishing andWolf's Head Books.
I ended up buying a 38 generation ahnentafel wall chart and three books. They were out of the charts so I'll have to wait for it to be shipped. Like the name implies, it covers 38 generations of ancestors from a single couple. It has room for details on the first 9 generations; the remainder of the generations only have space for the names. Once it arrives and I get it filled out, I'll frame it and hang it in my genea-cave surrounded by family pictures.
The three books I chose were Georgia Genealogical Research, Indiana Genealogical Research and Virginia Genealogical Research. Each book contains an overview of the state, available record types and where they can be found and county listings, which includes information on the formation of the county, available records and libraries in the area. I probably would have bought more of these books, but couldn't find any more on the state I'm interested in.
 |
| Georgia Genealogical Research, Indiana Genealogical Research and Virginia Genealogical Research, all by George K. Schweitzer |
I did check their website once I got home and saw that they do have some books available for other states. Since I like the books, I think I'll start buying all of the ones available, even if I don't need them for my personal research. They will still be helpful for the genealogy reference library I'm building for when I start working as a professional genealogist.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Building a Personal Genealogy Research Library
I'm a firm believer that if you don't know something, there's a book that can help teach you. A quick look at the bookcases that span one entire wall of my living room shows how seriously I mean that. Intermingled with books by my favorite authors are guides on childbirth and parenting, preserving and cooking food, crafts, antiques, writing and even auto repair. If I want to expand my knowledge of a topic or learn how to do something new, I get a book.
However, I have to confess that despite my love of genealogy, I do not have a single book on this topic. I have read extensively about genealogy online on websites, blogs, forums and message boards, but have yet to buy a book. I plan to remedy this in the near future. Right now, I'm working on a list of books that I feel would be most helpful in my endeavors to not only trace my own family tree, but also work as a professional genealogist helping others trace their ancestry. At the moment, my top picks are:
Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyperspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills
As you will recall, one of my goals for this year is to add source citations to all sources I have already and start citing consistently as I continue to add sources to my family tree. After reading customer reviews on the various booksellers' websites as well as reviews by geneabloggers, I feel this book would be an excellent start to my genealogy research library.
Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers and Librarians by Elizabeth Shown Mills
While I didn't put becoming a professional genealogist on my list of goals for 2011, it is one goal I hope to reach in time. I feel that this book will be helpful in reaching that goal.
The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual by the Board for Certification of Genealogists
Like the previous book, I feel this book will be helpful in me becoming a professional genealogist. As I am currently looking into certification by the BCG, this will serve a purpose in that goal as well.
The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy by Val D Greenwood
Most of my family has been in America for 200+ years. While I have found some of the many records available to document their lives, I'm sure it is by no means everything. I'm hoping this book will shed some light on records I haven't yet explored.
The Hidden Half of the Family: A Sourcebook for Women's Genealogy by Christina Schaefer
Tracking down women in the family tree is often difficult. Knowing specific factors which can affect my search of a particular female would be helpful. That's why this book makes the list. I'm hoping it will help me locate the maiden names of my female ancestors.
The Family Tree Problem Solver by Marsha Hoffman Rising
Brick walls are a given with genealogy. If you haven't found one yet in your research, it's coming. I've tried a number of brick wall breaking suggestions in an attempt to break through my brick walls. Some have worked, some haven't. I'm hoping this book will offer tips I haven't tried and start crumbling my brick walls.
Kentucky Ancestry: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research by Roseann Reinmuth Hogan
One of my areas of concentration with my personal research is Kentucky. I'm hoping this book can teach me more places to look for information on my ancestors.
Ancestral Trails by Mark D Herber
The majority of my ancestral lines came from Great Britain. However, I haven't yet researched "across the pond" because I don't know much about what records are available there. With this book, I hope to make the leap so I can research further back into my family history.
However, I have to confess that despite my love of genealogy, I do not have a single book on this topic. I have read extensively about genealogy online on websites, blogs, forums and message boards, but have yet to buy a book. I plan to remedy this in the near future. Right now, I'm working on a list of books that I feel would be most helpful in my endeavors to not only trace my own family tree, but also work as a professional genealogist helping others trace their ancestry. At the moment, my top picks are:
Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyperspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills
As you will recall, one of my goals for this year is to add source citations to all sources I have already and start citing consistently as I continue to add sources to my family tree. After reading customer reviews on the various booksellers' websites as well as reviews by geneabloggers, I feel this book would be an excellent start to my genealogy research library.
Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers and Librarians by Elizabeth Shown Mills
While I didn't put becoming a professional genealogist on my list of goals for 2011, it is one goal I hope to reach in time. I feel that this book will be helpful in reaching that goal.
The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual by the Board for Certification of Genealogists
Like the previous book, I feel this book will be helpful in me becoming a professional genealogist. As I am currently looking into certification by the BCG, this will serve a purpose in that goal as well.
The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy by Val D Greenwood
Most of my family has been in America for 200+ years. While I have found some of the many records available to document their lives, I'm sure it is by no means everything. I'm hoping this book will shed some light on records I haven't yet explored.
The Hidden Half of the Family: A Sourcebook for Women's Genealogy by Christina Schaefer
Tracking down women in the family tree is often difficult. Knowing specific factors which can affect my search of a particular female would be helpful. That's why this book makes the list. I'm hoping it will help me locate the maiden names of my female ancestors.
The Family Tree Problem Solver by Marsha Hoffman Rising
Brick walls are a given with genealogy. If you haven't found one yet in your research, it's coming. I've tried a number of brick wall breaking suggestions in an attempt to break through my brick walls. Some have worked, some haven't. I'm hoping this book will offer tips I haven't tried and start crumbling my brick walls.
Kentucky Ancestry: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research by Roseann Reinmuth Hogan
One of my areas of concentration with my personal research is Kentucky. I'm hoping this book can teach me more places to look for information on my ancestors.
Ancestral Trails by Mark D Herber
The majority of my ancestral lines came from Great Britain. However, I haven't yet researched "across the pond" because I don't know much about what records are available there. With this book, I hope to make the leap so I can research further back into my family history.
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