The Genealogy & Family History Social Network
Reference tools should be the focus of our list
Reference materials are the focus of the list. Tools basic to all home and institutional collections are usually "ready reference" aids. The tools in this directory should help you find or understand records of genealogical value. The tools recommended for reference collections include these types:
TOP TEN TYPES OF REFERENCE TOOLS FOR GENEALOGISTS
A. research methodology handbooks
B. geographic aids; atlases, maps, gazetteers
C. histories and biographies
D. language and handwriting helps
E. historical and cultural guides, chronologies and yearbooks
F. bibliographies, inventories, and catalogs
G. indexes and abstracts
H. encyclopedias and dictionaries
I. directories of places, institutions, etc.
J. any tool that has the answer to the question
The most helpful tools are those that provide background information [such as gazetteers or language guides] and finding aids [such as inventories and catalogs]. "Where to" and "How To" books should form the basis of this list. Genealogists need not purchase what is recommended, but should encourage local libraries to acquire the best books. Librarians, archivists, and Family History Center staff may also use the list to recommend appropriate sources to their patrons.
A reference book is arranged to be consulted easily and quickly for a specific bit of information, without needing to be read cover to cover. The finest reference tools answer many questions or unusual questions, or both. Many new sources and tools become available each year, and research strategies change with new indexes and technologies.
TOP TEN TYPES OF REFERENCE TOOLS FOR GENEALOGISTS
A. research methodology handbooks
B. geographic aids; atlases, maps, gazetteers
C. histories and biographies
D. language and handwriting helps
E. historical and cultural guides, chronologies and yearbooks
F. bibliographies, inventories, and catalogs
G. indexes and abstracts
H. encyclopedias and dictionaries
I. directories of places, institutions, etc.
J. any tool that has the answer to the question
The most helpful tools are those that provide background information [such as gazetteers or language guides] and finding aids [such as inventories and catalogs]. "Where to" and "How To" books should form the basis of this list. Genealogists need not purchase what is recommended, but should encourage local libraries to acquire the best books. Librarians, archivists, and Family History Center staff may also use the list to recommend appropriate sources to their patrons.
A reference book is arranged to be consulted easily and quickly for a specific bit of information, without needing to be read cover to cover. The finest reference tools answer many questions or unusual questions, or both. Many new sources and tools become available each year, and research strategies change with new indexes and technologies.
Views: 54
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by William S Dean on
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I agree, with the caveat, however, that there are always going to be many levels of genealogists, from newbies to old-school, and that, in essence, you never quite know which books form the best library for any one individual's needs. There are big encyclopedic general history/culture books and small finely focused "regionals", very simplistic "How-to" and incredibly complex glossaries of period specific terms and usage, multiple-line and single line family histories, and on and on, and on. One of the main difficulties, as I see it, is that as many older physical books get discarded, lost, destroyed they may not be replaced or transcribed into digital format for access. Too, budgetary constraints and downsizing robs many future genealogists of localized resources. We've already seen numerous local historical societies and even museums close down for lack of funding and staff. And without public and often vocal support, such resources can be lost forever.
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Permalink Reply by Unknown Ancestor on
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These are some of the reasons we need to select our tools more carefully. For those who want to post brief bibliographies, the B-I-A labels would help.
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Permalink Reply by Robin R. Cordell-Inge on
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Our public library dont have a lot of books other than just family books that other members have put together for families in our county. Where can I locate some of these reference's?
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Most public libraries use Inter-Library Loan. However, genealogy books are often those most restricted when it comes to ILL policies. There are are few societies that loan materials thru the mail. One of the best is the NEHGS in Boston (they are also the oldest genealogical society in the USA).
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Permalink Reply by Sue McCormick on
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I think you need to have a list of the basic "how-to" books here. Books like "Evidence!" or "The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy." And I wish that the folks who posted the books above would tell us something about them (perhaps including what libraries have them).
As someone has already said, we come here at all levels and we all need help at the level we currently stand.
Even the most adept and most careful may need reminding of the rules of scholarship from time to time. Explaining how a reference book teaches that could be a refresher course. -
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