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Summary
Summary
This new 3rd edition incorporates the latest thinking on genealogy & computers, specifically the relationship between computer technology (the Internet & CD-ROM) & the timeless principles of good genealogical research. It also includes a new chapter on the property rights of women, a revised chapter on the evaluation of genealogical evidence, & updated information on the 1920 census.
Reviews (4)
Kirkus Review
A basic reference book for professionals or for anybody who wants to dig up family roots. Greenwood discusses the source materials for research: census records, probates, courts, churches, cemeteries, newspapers, libraries and armed forces dossiers. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
This is the second edition of what appears to be the textbook for serious students of American genealogy. Although it has been re~vised to include new sources and current technology, i.e., the personal computer and computerized databases, the 17-year-old work still cautions the researcher to rely on "basic pick-and-shovel work in original records." To Greenwood, genealogy is a science that must be conducted with precision. Three chapters have been added with suggestions on selecting computers and software, discussion of the possibilities of genealogist as family historian, and the importance of evidence and proof. Other chapters introduce research tools, discuss the evaluation of findings, and detail the changes in census returns since 1790. Illustrations, charts; index. --Cynthia Ogorek
Choice Review
Neagles presents LC's genealogical collections first by describing their organization, then the resources (like records of residence--city directories, land records, census records, etc.; records of family activity--church records, newspapers, and periodicals; and records of military service). A third section arranged geographically by region and state identifies their similar records. The aim is to point out not only the holdings of LC's Local History and Genealogy Reading Room but to identify other departments where genealogists can find information. A scanning of various lists suggests a question: will the less experienced question what seems to be incomplete information? For example, several published indexes are cited for specific years only but are actually available for other periods. There are a number of similar cases where more complete and exact information should have been supplied; the material is undoubtedly in LC's collections. (On p. 181, under "Manchester" is "Suborn" really correct? On p. 88, is the Boston newspaper titled the "Evening Transfer?" really the Transcript?)There is much that is helpful about the volume, including the listing of city directories, but the user must be alert. Greenwood carries over much of the material from the earlier edition of The Researcher's Guide. . .(CH, Jan'74) but has dropped the Canadian chapter and added three others: genealogical evidence, personal computers and programs, and the genealogist as family historian. Though the book is described on the jacket as completely revised, some of the material has been but slightly changed and a number of the references have not been updated to reflect the existence of new editions. Still, the descriptive treatment will supply beginning genealogists with the kind of helpful background they need. The best single volume remains, for this writer, A. H. Eakle and J.Cerny, The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy (1984). Small libraries with limited funds will find Greenwood a good choice and for larger collections both Greenwood and Eakle-Cerny would be useful. Neagle's volume is for the library with needs beyond those guides. -V. L. Close, Dartmouth College
Library Journal Review
This classic handbook has been completely updated to include all major developments since the original edition ( LJ 6/15/74). Three new chapters cover genealogical evidence, personal computers, and family historians. The bibliographies have been updated as well. Greenwood's pioneering contribution offers a detailed examination of primary records: vital, census, probate, land, court (adoption), church, military, cemetery, and wills. Librarians will appreciate chapters on other types of research, especially library research. Ronald A. Bremer's Compendium of Historical Sources: The How and Where of American Genealogy (Progenitor Soc., 1986. 3d ed.) and Arlene Eakle's The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy (Ancestry Pub., 1984) are similar all-in-one genealogy handbooks. With this edition, Greenwood has reaffirmed his book's position as the outstanding text in American genealogy, and it remains the benchmark against which others will be judged. This modestly priced core collection reference tool should be in every genealogical library and in other libraries where there is an interest in genealogy.--Judith P. Reid, Local History & Genealogy Reference Specialist, Library of Congress (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Table of Contents
Illustrations and Charts | p. xi |
Preface | p. xiii |
Part 1 Background to Research | |
1. Understanding Genealogical Research | p. 3 |
The nature of research | |
Genealogy and science Completing the genealogical picture | |
Genealogy and historical background | |
The importance of places | |
Nothing but the facts | |
What is expected? | |
The professional genealogist Conclusion | |
2. Familiar Record Practices: Problems and Terminology | p. 21 |
Handwriting | |
Evolution of the language | |
Naming practices | |
Some symbols | |
The calendar | |
3. Analyzing the Pedigree and the Place | p. 47 |
Preliminary survey | |
Pedigree analysis | |
Get them all | |
Jurisdictions | |
Locality analysis | |
Tradition, common sense, and helpful clues | |
4. Evaluation of Evidence | p. 65 |
Basic definitions | |
Types of evidence | |
Sources vs. evidence | |
Conflicting evidence | |
Standard of proof | |
More information on evidence | |
5. An Introduction to Research Tools: The Library | p. 79 |
The purpose of library research | |
The catalog | |
Classification | |
The National Archives and its branches | |
Conclusion | |
6. An Introduction to Research Tools: Reference Materials | p. 91 |
Guides to locality data | |
Guides to non-original sources | |
Guides to original sources | |
Conclusion | |
7. Organizing and Evaluating Research Findings | p. 109 |
Purpose of record keeping | |
Method | |
Research calendars and notes | |
Evaluating your notes | |
One more step | |
Reminder notes | |
Abstracts and forms | |
Card files | |
Computer indexes | |
Conclusion | |
8. Successful Correspondence | p. 125 |
The correspondence calendar | |
Review of research note requirements | |
Let's write a letter | |
How does the letter look? | |
To whom do I write? | |
Conclusion and checklist | |
9. Computers in Genealogy | p. 139 |
Word processing | |
Creating charts and tables | |
Organizing and storing genealogical information | |
Locating and contacting relatives | |
Learning about resources and collections | |
Accessing reference works | |
Searching databases | |
Conclusion | |
Glossary | |
10. Family History: Going Beyond Genealogy | p. 165 |
Why family history? | |
Sources | |
Historical considerations | |
Writing family history | |
Objectivity in family history | |
Part 2 Records and Their Use | |
11. Compiled Sources and Newspapers | p. 183 |
The nature of compiled sources | |
Newspapers | |
Limitations of compiled sources | |
Final observation | |
12. Vital Records | p. 203 |
Beginning and background | |
The use of vital records | |
Securing the records | |
Town meeting records | |
Record problems | |
13. Census Returns | p. 233 |
What is the census? | |
Where are the census records? | |
Special indexes | |
1910 street index | |
Military service information in the census | |
Special enumerations, state censuses, and other census schedules | |
Mortality schedules | |
Glossary of census terms | |
14. Using Census Returns | p. 291 |
Benefits and uses | |
Limitations of the census as a genealogical source | |
When should the census be searched? | |
Examples of census use | |
Conclusion | |
15. Understanding Probate Records and Basic Legal Terminology | p. 309 |
Definition and background of probate records | |
Content and genealogical value | |
The limitations of probate records | |
Legal terminology | |
The probate process | |
16. What About Wills? | p. 331 |
Kinds of wills | |
Proving the will | |
The contested will | |
The value of wills | |
Record problems | |
Finding and using wills | |
The impossible dream | |
17. The Intestate--Miscellaneous Probate Records--Guardianships | p. 353 |
The intestate and the probate process | |
Miscellaneous probate records | |
Guardianships | |
Conclusion | |
18. Government Land: Colonial and American | p. 375 |
Background | |
Land from the colonial government | |
After the Revolution | |
History of land entries in the public domain | |
Land entry records from the public domain | |
Land patents from the BLM--Texas | |
The American State Papers | |
Other state-land states | |
19. Local Land Records | p. 399 |
Land titles | |
Types of land records | |
Using land records | |
Using tax records | |
Land-ownership maps | |
Availability of land records | |
20. Abstracting Wills and Deeds | p. 433 |
Abstract vs. extract | |
The nature of the abstract | |
Abstracts of deeds | |
Abstracts of wills | |
21. Court Records | p. 451 |
Background and definition | |
A misconception | |
The American court system | |
Records and access | |
Legislative records | |
Adoption records | |
Special note on Virginia | |
Case reports, reporters, and digests | |
Conclusion | |
22. Property Rights of Women as a Consideration | p. 477 |
Background | |
Real estate conveyances | |
Laws and customs relating to inheritance | |
Conclusion | |
23. Church Records | p. 489 |
Types of records | |
The nature of the records | |
Locating church records | |
24. American Aids to Finding the Home of the Immigrant Ancestor | p. 531 |
Immigration records: their nature and value | |
Locating and using immigration records | |
Passport applications Conclusion | |
25. Military Records: Colonial Wars and the American Revolution | p. 551 |
Background and history | |
The records | |
Colonial wars | |
The Revolutionary War | |
Using Revolutionary records | |
Loyalists and the Revolutionary War | |
26. Military Records: After the Revolution | p. 585 |
Between the Revolution and Fort Sumter | |
The Civil War, 1861-65 | |
After Appomattox | |
The regular army or regular establishment | |
World War I | |
Military records in the states | |
Printed military sources | |
When to use military records | |
Conclusion | |
27. Cemetery and Burial Records | p. 611 |
Background | |
Tombstone inscriptions | |
Sextons' records | |
Helps in finding the records | |
Records of funeral directors | |
Conclusion | |
Index | p. 623 |