By now you have
probably filled out pedigree charts and family group sheets
containing genealogical information about your immediate family.
You have looked around your home to find other information that
could be added to your basic forms, and you have interviewed
older family members to fill in more of the blanks in your
research. Now, believe it or not, the fun begins.
You are ready to
search for information about your family outside the confines of
your memory–you are ready to go to a library. In Step 4, we will
discuss two important considerations: what preparations you
should make before leaving home, and what to look for once you
arrive at the library.
Before Leaving Home
First, prepare by compiling a list of all research centers and
libraries near your home that might prove useful to you. This
list should include your local public library, your nearest
family history center (more on these in a later article), your
local historical society, genealogical society, ethnic society,
even a nearby college library.
Now decide which
of these centers you want to visit and call ahead to find out
what their days and hours of operation are. We encourage you to
ask the following questions:
1. Is there an
orientation tour of the library and does one need to sign up in
advance? These orientation sessions can save hours of valuable
time by helping you learn what is available and where to find
it. You will also meet a staff member who might be a good
contact person to answer questions that may arise later.
2. Does the
library have any special requirements? Some research facilities
require a picture ID before allowing a researcher to enter.
Others require visitors to be a member or resident before entry
is granted.
3. Is it
necessary to sign up in advance to use any special equipment
such as microfilm readers, microfiche readers, or computers?
Most research centers have limited equipment and their use is
regulated. This is especially true at busy times such as school
vacations.
4. Is parking
available and what does it cost? Some libraries are located in
the heart of a city and the only available parking is in a
nearby garage that charges. If so, find out what the cost is and
what alternatives are available.
5. Are there
restaurants or cafes nearby? A good research session requires a
clear mind, and working on an empty stomach is not conducive to
a clear mind. If no eating facilities are in close proximity,
plan on bringing a lunch.
6. Are laptops
allowed in the library? Many researchers bring their laptops
with them, but you should check first to find out what the
library’s policy is on portable computers. If they are allowed,
remember to carry all of your valuables with you when you leave
your workspace.
After gathering
this information, organize the genealogical data you have
compiled thus far into a logical sequence. This will help you
explain your information to someone who might not understand
genealogy. The better you can describe what you have and what
you are looking for, the better the librarian will be able to
assist you. Good organization of your material also helps you
have a better handle on where you have been and where you need
to go.
Having your
material with you also makes it easier to evaluate your research
session. It is a good idea to have all of your material stored
in something transportable. We have seen researchers with
beautiful hand-embroidered bags, others with more traditional
briefcases, and even some with boxes they roll along on a
luggage carrier.
Most importantly,
write down your research objectives–what facts you hope to
uncover in your trip to the library. This does not need to be
fancy, just a simple list of questions you hope to find the
answers to. Here is a list we prepared some thirty years ago:
1. Who was Nana’s
father? We know the family name is Jones.
2. Where were
Nana and Gramp married? We think Turner, but we’re not sure.
3. Where were
they living in 1900? 1910? 1920?
4. Are there any
books on local history (Turner) that mention either of them?
Looking back on
this list, the information we were after seems so basic. Yet we
didn’t have the answers to these questions and, like all
researchers, we had to start at the beginning. Be complete in
compiling your own list of questions and be prepared to
reevaluate them as your session progresses throughout the day.
Finally, organize all the "tools" you will need to make your
research trip productive. Included on this list are the
following:
1. Pencils–It is
always a good idea to use a pencil in all of your preliminary
research. Some libraries require researchers to use only pencil.
This cuts down on stray pen marks that appear on the pages of
research material, which are impossible to remove.
2. Reading
glasses–Some of the material that one discovers can be difficult
to read even under the best conditions. A good pair of reading
glasses can simplify this task enormously.
3. Magnifying
glass–Much of the material is difficult to read even with good
light and a good pair of glasses. A magnifying glass or
magnifying bar can help in these situations.
4. Blank research
forms–Once you discover useful material, you need an ample
supply of forms to record this information. Having a good supply
with you ensures that you will not have to write on little slips
of scrap paper only to have to redo everything once you get
home.
5.
Tissues–Libraries can be very dusty places. Need we say more?
(Terry actually rates libraries by the number of tissues she
uses during a research session. A good library is a "three
tissue.")
6. Change–It is
amazing how many nickels, dimes, and quarters photocopy machines
can devour. Usually, libraries do not provide change and it can
be frustrating to run out of change just when you need it most.
In many libraries it is necessary to purchase a photocopy card.
The machines that dispense these require change or bills so be
certain to have enough of both.
At the Library
At the library we can provide two main points that are relevant
to your research: the general considerations that apply to any
research facility, and what materials you can expect to find
once you get to the library.
Once you arrive
at the library, there are some considerations to keep in mind.
First, in many libraries, even public libraries, the people who
work in the genealogy section are volunteers. Remember that they
are there to guide you in your research, not to do your research
for you. The best courtesy you can show them is to have your
materials organized and easily understandable. Judy Perpente, a
retired media specialist who now volunteers at a family history
center in Sarasota, Florida asks that researchers "be
organized–have something like a pedigree chart ready to show the
librarian what it is you are looking for."
Take advantage of
the library’s orientation tour if they have one. Learn what
materials they have and where they are located. Also, learn how
to use special equipment such as photocopy machines, microfiche
readers, microfilm readers, reader-copiers, and even
computerized card catalogs.
Ease your way
into the library. Take the time to familiarize yourself with
special holdings, rooms devoted to local history, etc. Also,
allow plenty of time for your research trip. A truly successful
trip may require a half-day or even a full day. Having to leave
too soon can be a very frustrating experience. Finally, take
breaks during your research session. A well placed breather,
bathroom break, or lunch break can prove invaluable to your
success.
When visiting
your local library, there are certain sections of the genealogy
department that you can expect to find. These include the
following:
1. Local
history–If the family you are researching came from the town in
which the library is located, this collection will contain
information you will turn to frequently.
2. Reference and
Self-help Material–Here one can find excellent books such as The
Source that will let you know how to proceed with a genealogical
research project.
3. Genealogy
magazines–This section would include the leading magazines such
as Ancestry as well as periodicals from throughout the United
States that would be useful if your research takes you outside
your local area.
4. Published
family histories–It is amazing how many families have been
researched. In some communities, the local library has histories
on some families that have lived in the area for some time.
5. General
indexes–Some very useful sources have been indexed and these
indexes offer the researcher an excellent starting point. Among
these are census indexes, DAR indexes, soldier indexes for the
Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War, etc.
6. Newspapers–An
excellent source of genealogy material comes from local
newspapers including obituaries and even published births and
marriages. Some local newspapers have even been indexed and are
easier to use.
7. Maps and
gazetteers. Any research in a particular geographic area
requires knowledge of the area. These maps and gazetteers
provide that information.
When beginning
research at your local library, we recommend the following basic
guide to getting started. While no single approach can be said
to be best, we have had luck with the following formula. First,
start with the published family histories. If research has
already been done on your family, you may find a great deal of
information that you will benefit from. Turn to local histories
next. Many have specific family information included in them,
and some have genealogies on two or more generations of a
particular family. Finally, utilize the collection of local
newspapers to add information to your research.
Always document
the information you find. Write the source material on your
research log and record sources used in your log even if you do
not find any information in them. Don’t allow yourself to be
sidetracked–it is easy to be pulled away from your objectives.
We have seen many research sessions wasted in tracking the wrong
person or the wrong family. This is especially true when one
encounters a book on a famous person who shares the same family
name being researched. Also, be patient and persevere. Remember
that you can search for hours before locating a single piece of
valuable information, so don’t give up too soon. Have realistic
expectations. When developing your research objectives, make
sure they can be accomplished. In other words, have measurable
outcomes in mind. Do not expect to gather information on ten
generations in ten minutes. And above all, have fun. Genealogy
is a hobby that is about enjoyment.
