While discussing
ancestors at a family reunion, attending a genealogical
conference, and using the Internet for genealogical research can
be very exciting, there is just something special about a
research trip to a good library.
In Step 4 we
discussed getting ready for this trip. We covered such items as
preparing your research objectives and preparing yourself for
your visit to the library. In this article we will explore the
different types of research libraries available to you, and how
you can most benefit from your visit.
One of the most
unique aspects of genealogical research is the variety of
libraries which house a vast array of information. In some, one
can find reel after reel of census microfilms; in others,
shelves of published family histories; in others, extensive
information relating to the history of that area; and, in still
others, all of these resources together under one roof. In our
own research, we have used many different repositories and we
would like to introduce you to some of them.
Libraries
•Local public libraries–We have used numerous local public
libraries and have found that all contain varying amounts of
information. Usually they have a very strong collection of
books, maps, and vital records relating to their own
communities. Their reference librarians can also tell you who
the local genealogy experts are and how to contact them.
•Local historical
society libraries–Society libraries have excellent information
relating to the community, especially their collections of
pictures, artifacts, maps, clothing, and other items of local
interest. This unique information adds texture to your research
as you learn more about the community (and possibly even the
homes) in which your ancestors resided.
•Local
genealogical society libraries–If your ancestors lived in one
area for a long period of time, or were early settlers in that
area, there may be unique research available on the families
from that town, such as the only copy of research done by a
local historian. If you are fortunate enough to find such a
treasure, it will save many hours of research.
•County public
libraries–In many communities the county maintains the public
library. These are excellent places for research as they have
information relating to all the towns within their boundary.
Since many of our ancestors married someone from the "next
town," a county library often has all the necessary resources
under one roof. For example, the Allen County Public Library in
Fort Wayne, Indiana, has evolved from a county library to a
world class genealogical research center.
•County
historical society libraries–These are similar to their local
counterparts, except they have information on the entire county.
They also contain displays and dioramas that make the history of
their county come alive.
•State
libraries–The state library (located in the state’s capital
city) can be a truly valuable source of genealogical
information. Quite often, we have located secondary sources of
vital records for all the communities within the state. This
type of information can prove useful in those cases where
ancestors migrated between towns within a state. You can track
them from the comfort of a good library chair. In some states,
the state archives are located in the same complex as the state
library. Thus, primary source research can be conducted easily
in the archives after locating a secondary reference to a
particular life event in the library.
•State historical
societies–Many states have a state historical society, which
house materials of interest to both historians and to
genealogists. They often contain excellent collections and are
located in historic buildings.
•Regional
research libraries–There are several regional libraries, but one
excellent example is the New England Historic Genealogical
Society located in Boston, Massachusetts. NEHGS, or "Hist-Gen"
as it is often called, houses a tremendous collection of
materials that relate to New England research. This facility is
a necessary visit for those who can trace their roots to New
England.
•Ethnic
genealogical society libraries–Virtually every ethnic group in
the United States has created and maintains a research facility,
which houses materials relating to that particular ethnic group.
One in particular is worthy of note: the American-Canadian
Genealogical Society (ACGS) Library in Manchester, New
Hampshire. This library has an outstanding collection relating
to Franco-American, Acadian, and French-Canadian genealogy.
•National
libraries–As one can imagine, there are libraries on a much
larger scale than any mentioned thus far and these are the
national libraries. Two in particular deserve mention and are
worthy of inclusion on your list of places to visit. The first
is the National Archives located in Washington, D.C. It contains
a huge collection of materials relating to all aspects of
genealogy. Central to these materials are Federal records such
as census, military, and public land records. The other national
library is the Family History Library located in Salt Lake City,
Utah. This library houses the world’s leading collection of
primary and secondary source material, much of which is
available on microforms and on loan for use at its family
history centers located throughout the United States.
This sampling
represents virtually every type of research facility you might
use in your research. Being presented with such variety can be
intimidating, however, one characteristic should ease some of
this intimidation–all of these facilities share certain
features. Once you become acquainted with these common features,
your research trips will become much less daunting and more
productive.
The most
important of these features is the division of collections into
sections. Once you become familiar with these sections and how
to use them, your task of locating relevant research material
becomes much easier. Unfortunately, these libraries do not use
the same numbering systems. It is imperative that you become
familiar with whatever numbering system a library uses, whether
it is Dewey Decimal, Library of Congress, or a unique system
used only by one library.
General Reference Section
When you are ready to begin your research, the best place to
start is in the general reference section. Included in this
section are the books you need to maximize your time. It is
recommended that your first few hours in a library be spent in
this section. Here you will find the "how to" books which will
point you in the right direction. All libraries have these
volumes and you should use those that are best suited for your
own research. For example, a place to start is Ancestors: A
Beginner’s Guide to Family History and Genealogy (Boston:
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997) by Jim and Terry Willard with
Jane Wilson. Other general reference books that should be
consulted include:
Directory of
Family Associations. Bentley, Elizabeth Petty, 1991.
Ancestry’s
Redbook: American State, County & Town Sources. Eichholz,
Alice, editor. Orem: Ancestry, 1989.
The Source: A
Guidebook of American Genealogy. Szucs, Loretto, and
Luebking, Sandra, editors. Orem: Ancestry, 1997.
Using sources
such as these will save you countless hours of research.
Books that
provide historical maps of geographical areas you are
researching should also be consulted, as well as those that list
all the published family histories available in a particular
library. You can also find books that will help you use the
computer, and others that will help you organize your work so
that others can benefit from your research.
Family Histories
All libraries have a section dedicated to their collection of
published family histories. Here you may discover a volume
dedicated entirely to the family name you are researching. While
the odds of finding your own name and genealogy in such a book
are quite slim, you may find some valuable clues that will aid
your research. These volumes are usually displayed in
alphabetical order by the name of the principal family covered
in the book. Also, some libraries have an index of all the
families covered in these volumes–in addition to the name or
names listed in the title. Find out if such a volume exists and
where it is located.
State Collections
Another section in most county, state, and national libraries is
one devoted to published materials relating to other states.
Here you can do some general research on a state where your
ancestors may have lived. This section can give you a better
idea of what sources might exist and where they can be found,
thus saving you valuable hours later. Remember, you are always a
detective trying to gather as many clues as possible. Even
general sources on a state you may never have visited can
provide some of these valuable clues.
Military
One section that has proved very useful in our research was the
section on the various wars in which America has been involved.
These sections are usually arranged in chronological order,
beginning with the earliest conflicts and continuing to the
present. The volumes might provide a list of the pensioners from
a particular war, a list of all the individuals who served in a
particular war, where they were from and which unit(s) they
served in, even regimental histories that detail where the
regiment served during the war. Other valuable resources in this
section are the journals and indexes for patriotic societies
such as the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). These
sources represent significant research that satisfies admission
requirements to one of these societies. The submitter may have
worked on one of the lines you are researching, thus saving you
considerable time.
Society Newsletters & Publications
Most libraries subscribe to a variety of publications.
Newsletters and magazines can be a source of general and
specific information relevant to your research. Many
publications allow readers to submit queries, so if you have
encountered a "stone wall" from a particular area of your
research, perhaps a query to a society specializing in that area
would prove useful. A publication such as Ancestry Magazine can
prove useful to beginning and advanced researchers.
Federal Materials
Some libraries have sources from the Federal government,
especially indexes to various censuses. After searching
published family histories, most researchers turn to Federal
censuses. Fortunately, some libraries–especially the bigger
ones–have the microfilm of the actual census. In such a case,
you can go from the index to the microfilm room very easily to
follow up on your families.
Computers
It is difficult to imagine doing genealogical research today
without the use of a computer. Most libraries have computers
that are beneficial to genealogists in two ways. First, the
library might have a collection of research on CDs that are
available for use. Secondly, they may have computers connected
to the Internet. You can do considerable research using these
machines. In either case, the amount of time one can spend at
the computer is usually restricted. Most libraries with
computers require patrons to sign up for their use in advance.
Nothing is more
rewarding than planning a good library research session,
arriving at the library to pursue the plan, and discovering the
information you were seeking. Remember to make note of all the
source materials you consult in your research log–this log will
prove invaluable later. And, by the way, it’s OK to give a
little yelp when you find one of those missing ancestors. This
serves as a reminder to all the other people doing research that
perseverance pays off!
