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Summary
Summary
In every field of study, there is one book that rises above the rest in stature and authority and becomes the standard work in the field. In genealogy that book is Val Greenwood's "Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy." Arguably the best book ever written on American genealogy, it instructs the researcher in the timeless principles of genealogical research, while identifying the most current classes of records and research tools. This edition of this celebrated book provides a clear, comprehensive, and up-to-date account of American genealogy--no sound genealogical project is complete without it. "Recommended as the most comprehensive how-to book on American genealogical and local history research"--Library Journal
Reviews (2)
Booklist Review
Greenwood's fourth edition of a standard work for genealogists, students, historians, and family researchers adheres to the principles of scrutinizing records and databases for the stories of individual Americans. A comprehensive coverage of common and more obscure resources, such as historical societies, Mormon databases, and naturalization records, Greenwood's text sets the researcher on the easiest path to compiling data and proposes techniques for determining reliable details of ancestry, including military service. Tutorial information guides the beginner on technique and means of filling gaps in a clan line, especially the arrival of immigrants. Recent information on DNA and use of the internet highlights ways of evaluating statistics and cemetery charts for accuracy and legibility. Practical examples of legal documents, census charts, and bills of sale enhance the basics of birth, residencies, and death with additional information on former slaves. A shortcoming of the manual lies in the lack of guidance to Native Americans and tribal enrollment. A valuable, reasonably priced tool for large public and college libraries.--Snodgrass, Mary Ellen Copyright 2018 Booklist
Library Journal Review
The fourth edition of Greenwood's (How Often Would I Have Gathered You) -exhaustive guide covers technological innovations in genealogical research since the publication of the third edition in 2000. The book addresses web terminology, search strategies, and DNA testing services and discusses at length features of major family history websites (free as well as subscription-based). Traditional sources of genealogical information including vital records, census schedules, wills, deeds, and church and military records are explored thoroughly in separate chapters that explain not only their historical creation and use but also the type of material that can be extracted from such records and how they can be obtained. Greenwood also provides examples of records, titles of published indexes or guides to particular record types, and definitions of terminology, a feature particularly helpful in the case of probate records. Chapters examining standards of evidence in genealogy and the necessity of conducting preliminary surveys of previous research efforts should help ensure the accuracy and integrity of readers' own findings. VERDICT This essential resource for American genealogical research will prove helpful to family historians at any stage of their work.-Sara Shreve, Newton, KS © Copyright 2018. 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 true nature of research | |
| Genealogy and science | |
| Completing the family picture | |
| Genealogy and historical background | |
| The importance of places | |
| Nothing but the facts | |
| What is expected? | |
| Educational opportunities | |
| A realistic perspective | |
| Family history professions | |
| Conclusion | |
| 2 Language, Terminology and Important Issues | p. 29 |
| Language changes and handwriting | |
| Changes in the language | |
| Naming practices | |
| The calendar | |
| 3 Surveying, Analysing, and Planning | p. 57 |
| Secondary research: your preliminary survey | |
| Preserve preliminary survey results | |
| Pedigree analysis | |
| Get everybody | |
| Jurisdictions | |
| Locality analysis | |
| Tradition, common sense, and helpful clues | |
| Additional help | |
| 4 Evidence | p. 79 |
| Basic definitions | |
| Standard of proof | |
| Types of evidence | |
| Sources vs. evidence | |
| Original and derivative sources | |
| When evidence does not make sense | |
| Conflicting evidence | |
| More information on evidence | |
| 5 Libraries and the National Archives (NARA) | p. 99 |
| The purposes of library research | |
| Some important libraries | |
| FamilySearch libraries | |
| A library's online catalog | |
| Library classification systems | |
| The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) | |
| Final observation about library use | |
| 6 Reference Works | p. 115 |
| Guides to locality data | |
| Guides to non-original sources | |
| Guides to original sources | |
| Conclusion | |
| 7 Organizing and Evaluating Your Research Findings | p. 143 |
| The reasons and the requirements | |
| Note-keeping methods | |
| Research logs and notes | |
| Organizing your research notes | |
| Special searches | |
| Evaluating the information in your notes | |
| One more step: the research report | |
| Reminder notes | |
| Abstracts and forms | |
| Card files and computer indexes | |
| Records relating to correspondence | |
| Concluding thoughts | |
| 8 Successful Correspondence | p. 165 |
| Filing documents acquired by correspondence | |
| Analyzing your correspondence results | |
| Review of research note requirements | |
| Writing your letter | |
| Appearance matters | |
| To whom do I write? | |
| Conclusion and checklist | |
| 9 Computer Technolgy and Family History | p. 175 |
| Concepts and definitions of modern technology | |
| Technological resources important to family history | |
| Conclusion | |
| 10 Family History on the Internet | p. 201 |
| Significant steps and a current perspective | |
| Keeping on track | |
| Major family history websites | |
| Enhancing your search results on these major sites | |
| Other important websites | |
| Conclusion | |
| 11 Family History: Going Beyond Genealogy | p. 237 |
| The what and why of family history | |
| Sources | |
| Historical considerations | |
| African American family history and the Freedmen's Bureau records | |
| Writing family history | |
| Objectivity | |
| Part 2 Records and Their Use | |
| 12 Compiled Sources and Newspapers | p. 255 |
| Family history and compiled sources | |
| Newspapers | |
| Limitations of compiled sources | |
| Final observation | |
| 13 Vital Records | p. 279 |
| Beginning and background | |
| Using vital records for family history | |
| Securing copies of the records | |
| Town meeting records | |
| Record problems | |
| Final observations | |
| 14 Census Returns | p. 315 |
| What is the census? | |
| Where are the census population schedules? | |
| Special census indexes | |
| Military service information in the census | |
| Colonial censuses, special enumerations, and state censuses | |
| Important non-population census schedules | |
| Glossary of census terms | |
| 15 Using Census Records in Your Research | p. 379 |
| Benefits and uses | |
| Limitations of the census as a family history source | |
| When should the census be searched? | |
| Examples of census use | |
| Conclusion | |
| 16 Understanding Probate Records and Legal Terminology | p. 399 |
| Definition and background of probate records | |
| Content and genealogical value | |
| The limitations of probate records | |
| Legal terminology | |
| Important details | |
| 17 What About Wills? | p. 423 |
| Kinds of wills | |
| Proving (probating) the will | |
| The contested will | |
| The value of wills | |
| Record problems | |
| Finding and using wills | |
| Help with a difficult problem | |
| 18 The Intestate, Miscellaneous Probate Records, and Guardianships | p. 447 |
| The intestate and the probate process | |
| Miscellaneous probate records | |
| Guardianships | |
| Conclusion | |
| 19 Government Land: Colonial and American | p. 469 |
| Background | |
| Land from the colonial government | |
| After the Revolution | |
| History of land entries in the public domain | |
| Records created by land entry in the public domain | |
| Land patents from the BLM | |
| Texas | |
| Other state-land states | |
| 20 Local Land Records | p. 495 |
| Land titles | |
| Records that relate to land | |
| Using land records | |
| Tax records | |
| County land ownership maps | |
| Availability of local land records | |
| Conclusion | |
| 21 Abstracting Probate and Land Records | p. 529 |
| Abstract vs. extract | |
| The nature of the abstract | |
| Abstracts of deeds | |
| Abstracts of wills | |
| 22 Court Records and Family History | p. 547 |
| Background and definition | |
| A misconception | |
| The American court system | |
| Records and our access to them | |
| Legislative records | |
| Adoption records | |
| Note on Virginia's independent cities | |
| Case reports, reporters, and digests | |
| Conclusion | |
| 23 Property Rights of Women as a Consideration | p. 575 |
| Background | |
| Real estate conveyances | |
| Laws and customs relating to inheritance | |
| Conclusion | |
| 24 Church Records and Family History | p. 585 |
| Types of records | |
| The nature of the records | |
| Locating church records | |
| 25 Immigrant Ancestor Origins: American Finding Aids | p. 625 |
| Immigration records: their nature and value | |
| Locating and using immigration records | |
| Passport applications | |
| Conclusion | |
| 26 Military Records: Colonial Wars and the American Revolution | p. 653 |
| Background and history | |
| The records | |
| Colonial wars | |
| The Revolutionary War | |
| Using Revolutionary War records | |
| Loyalists and the Revolutionary War | |
| 27 Military Records: After the Revolution | p. 689 |
| Between the Revolution and Fort Sumter | |
| The Civil War, 1861-65 | |
| Military actions following the Civil War | |
| The Regular Army or Regular Establishment | |
| World War I and beyond | |
| State military records and records relating to civilians | |
| Printed military sources | |
| When to use military records | |
| Conclusion | |
| 28 Cemetery and Burial Records | p. 727 |
| Background | |
| Gravestone and monument inscriptions | |
| Access to cemetery records | |
| Sextons' records | |
| Help in finding the records | |
| Records of funeral directors | |
| Conclusion | |
| Index | p. 739 |
