Collection Development "Genealogy": Cultivating Your Family Tree

Once the pristine pastime of blue bloods tracing their pedigrees back to the Mayflower, genealogy—from hobby to serious endeavor—has broadened and deepened into a democratic avocation.

It was Alex Haley’s Roots, published 30 years ago, with the hugely popular TV miniseries coming a year later, that likely started the boom. And television still plays a role in promoting the appeal: a 2006 PBS series African American Lives illuminated scientific advances in genealogical research. The democratization of the hobby applies to end users and ancestors alike. You’ll encounter genealogists seeking not just that gilded-age millionaire but the man who toted a lunch bucket to work and the woman who took in laundry and worked as a seamstress.

Patrons dig deeper

Since the previous LJ genealogy collection development articles (LJ 4/1/99 and LJ 11/1/92), the expectations of family historians for nimble assistance have increased. You can no longer simply direct genealogists to larger libraries when your own collection lacks tools for exploration. Users arrive at all libraries expecting that the person behind the reference desk can show them electronic and paper pathways to their heritage. Librarians, whether or not they are personally inclined to genealogy, must take a far more active role than ever before, with expertise and genealogical tools that reflect the latest offerings in the field.

A small budget does not mean that a library’s genealogical collection cannot be up-to-date. There are core resources that are ideal for getting patrons started. And there are materials that offer goodies both to starters and seasoned researchers. The layout and eye appeal of many of these new books are improved from earlier generations of resources—and you can enrich these, as this author’s library does, with monthly genealogical classes for further guidance.

You may find patrons with interests in both genealogy and scrapbooking, which also has a lot to do with documenting family history (e.g., Laura Best’s Scrapbooking Your Family History).

The genealogical publishing giants remain as active today as in the past. Genealogical Publishing Company reprints a lot of classic titles, Ancestry produces that basic title that you need, and Gale offers some outstanding series. A fine paperback publisher with eye-catching titles is Family Tree Press, which also produces the delightful Family Tree® magazine.

Genealogy online

With the expansion of the Internet has come an explosion of great genealogy web sites—more than can be listed here. Genealogy periodicals like Family Tree® list the top 50 sites annually. One free resource that grows ever more comprehensive (it now has about 250,000 total links and there are two million page hits per month) is Cyndi’s List, the foremost genealogical web site navigational tool. Also, www.usgenweb.com offers a free and complete listing of web sites by state and by county.

Some of the great genealogy libraries and archives have sites worth visiting. The Family History Library in Salt Lake City is easy to use and a fine source for finding and borrowing materials (often on microfilm) via interlibrary loan through member libraries. The Allen County Library (Ft. Wayne, IN), with large genealogy magazine article holdings, has indexed them through Periodical Source Index (PERSI, accessible through HeritageQuest Online). The New England Historic Genealogical Society provides access to riches through its site. The National Archives is the treasure house of genealogical information. For instance, researchers can find army enlistment records for those who served in World War II.

There are also genealogical databases, an option both for richly endowed libraries and those lacking deep pockets. A subscription to Ancestry Library Edition™ or HeritageQuest Online™ will bring a trove of resources to your users. The U.S. Federal Census through 1930 has been digitized and indexed, making it one of the richest sources for your patrons.

In print, what criteria do you use to weed a genealogical collection? You must proceed with care because old news is not dead news for genealogists; research value can increase with time. But generally speaking, many introductions to genealogy that were published before the use of online sources may be evaluated for deaccessioning. Yet classics in the field should abide on your shelves, and librarians should be aware of them.

Here is a selection of titles to elicit research excitement at your library. Starred () sources are essential for all public library collections. See also our web exclusive Genealogical Periodicals list.

---

General Reference

The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy. 3d rev. ed. Ancestry. 2006. 965p. ed. by Loretto Dennis Szucs & Sandra Hargreaves Luebking. ISBN 1-59331-277-6 [ISBN 978-1-59331-277-0]. $79.95.
This top choice of most librarians features easy-to-read essays by specialists. Arranged by record type, such as land records, military records, etc., it offers a great framework for approaching genealogy. Expensive but well worth it.

---

General

Burroughs, Tony. Black Roots: A Beginner’s Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree. Fireside: S. & S. 2001. 464p. ISBN 0-684-84704-3 [ISBN 978-0-684-84704-7]. pap. $20.95.
While focused on African Americans and their heritage, Burroughs’s work provides inspiration and information for all researchers. Well written and packed with advice and clear detail; worthwhile for most libraries.

Crowe, Elizabeth Powell. Genealogy Online. 7th ed. Osborne: McGraw-Hill. 2003. 404p. ISBN 0-07-222978-0 [ISBN 978-0-07-222978-3]. pap. $24.99.
Online genealogy is the way many people will experience genealogy for the first time. Web sites galore can be found in this solid introduction.

Dollarhide, William. Getting Started in Genealogy Online. Genealogical Pub. 2006. 64p. ISBN 0-8063-1770-1 [ISBN 978-0-8063-1770-0]. pap. $12.95.
For readers seeking a very brief but lucid introduction, Dollarhide’s book is a good start. The author includes a family group sheet, pedigree chart, and family data sheet.

Morgan, George G. How To Do Everything with Your Genealogy. Osborne: McGraw-Hill. 2004. 489p. illus. ISBN 0-07-223170-X [ISBN 978-0-07-223170-0]. pap. $24.99.
Morgan’s in-depth introduction to genealogy can be appreciated even by advanced researchers. Nicely illustrated, with an easily navigated format.

Rising, Marsha Hoffman. The Family Tree Problem Solver: Proven Methods for Scaling the Inevitable Brick Wall. Family Tree Bks. 2005. 232p. ISBN 1-55870-685-2 [ISBN 978-1-55870-685-9]. pap. $19.99.
Rising’s delightful book takes typical genealogical problems (the courthouse you seek has burned down; your ancestor cannot be found on the federal census) and sheds light on how to solve them.

Sturdevant, Katherine Scott. Bringing Your Family History to Life Through Social History. Betterway Bks. 2000. 242p. ISBN 1-55870-510-4 [ISBN 978-1-55870-510-4]. pap. $19.99.
Make your family tale interesting by seeing it in the light of social history. The author explains the basics: oral history, artifact collection, correspondence preparation, and more.

Taylor, Maureen A. Uncovering Your Ancestry Through Family Photographs. 2d ed. Family Tree Bks. 2005. 138p. illus. ISBN 1-55870-724-7 [ISBN 978-1-55870-724-5]. pap. $24.99.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and Taylor’s book helps to uncover clues you might not notice at first glance. A novel approach to family history.

---

Directories

Bentley, Elizabeth Petty. Genealogist’s Address Book. 5th ed. Genealogy Pub. 2005. 783p. ISBN 0-8063-1757-4 [ISBN 978-0-8063-1757-1]. pap. $49.99.
Self-acknowledged “national Yellow Pages for the genealogist,” this volume covers organizations, archives, including specialized ones (e.g., Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest), libraries, societies, and more. Intermediate and advanced researchers will appreciate the guidance about more specialized record groups. 

The Family Tree Resource Book for Genealogists. Family Tree Bks. 2004. 789p. ed. by by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack & Erin Nevius. ISBN 1-55870-686-0 [ISBN 978-1-55870-686-6]. pap. $29.95.
This newcomer to the field directs patrons to the resources of each state. The overviews are lively and interesting and include highlighted facts and pointers.

Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America. 11th ed. Everton Pub., dist. by Genealogical Pub. 2006. 994p. maps. index. ISBN 1-890895-05-9 [ISBN 978-1-890895-05-1]. $50; w/CD ISBN 1-890895-06-7 [ISBN 978-1-890895-06-8]. $60.
Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources. Ancestry. 2004. 900p. ed. by Alice Eichholz. ISBN 1-59331-166-4 [ISBN 978-1-59331-166-7]. $49.95.
For addresses and contact information for governmental offices, courthouses, etc., use the latest editions of these old reliables. Overviews on key genealogical primary sources in each state are provided. Libraries should have at least one of these reference cornerstones.

---

Guides to Archives & Libraries

Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives of the United States. 3d ed. National Archives & Records Administration. 2000. 411p. ed. by Anne Bruner Eales & Robert M. Kvasnicka. ISBN 1-880875-24-1 [ISBN 978-1-880875-24-7]. pap. $25.
The National Archives harvests the richest sources for genealogical research, including census, naturalization, and military records, as well as historically distinct government records relating to Native Americans and African Americans. An important and insightful guide.

Warren, Paula Stewart & James W. Warren. Your Guide to the Family History Library. Betterway. 2001. 258p. ISBN 1-55870-578-3 [ISBN 978-1-55870-578-4]. pap. $19.99.
People vacation in Salt Lake City just to visit the Family History Library (FHL). Its microfilm holdings are also available by loan to select public libraries and to Family History Centers (branches of FHL).

---

Census

1930 Census: A Reference and Research Guide. Heritage Quest from ProQuest. 2003. 235p. ed. by Thomas Jay Kemp. ISBN 1-59178-012-8 [ISBN 978-1-59178-012-0]. pap. $19.95.
Offering insights for the mid-level to advanced genealogist, the 1930 Census—the most recent one from which raw data has been released—is crammed with genealogical finds. Was your 1930 ancestor’s dwelling rented or owned? Who lived in the household? How long had they been in this country? Essential.

Szucs, Loretto Dennis & Matthew Wright. Finding Answers in U.S. Census Records. Ancestry. 2001. 165p. ISBN 0-916489-98-1 [ISBN 978-0-916489-98-4]. pap. $16.95.
Like many a valuable genealogical resource, the census was not intended as a genealogical tool but is a fine one nonetheless. In this good, short beginner’s introduction, each census for 1790 to 1930 is analyzed for its special qualities and information.

---

Immigration

Carmack, Sharon DeBartolo. The Family Tree Guide to Finding Your Ellis Island Ancestors. Family Tree Bks. 2005. 160p. ISBN 1-55870-694-1 [ISBN 978-1-55870-694-1]. pap. $19.99.
A wise and witty introduction to Ellis Island records, the bulk of them from 1892 to 1924. It works well for all research levels and provides search strategies for that elusive ancestor whose name may have been mangled by Ellis Island officials.

Colletta, John P. They Came in Ships: A Guide to Finding Your Immigrant Ancestor’s Arrival Record. 3d rev. ed. Ancestry. 2002. 167p. ISBN 0-916489-37-X [ISBN 978-0-916489-37-3]. pap. $12.95.
Colletta has long been recognized as one of the experts on immigration records, and this book is a must for most libraries. Easy to read and well illustrated.

---

Military Records

Gawne, Jonathan. Finding Your Father’s War: A Practical Guide to Researching and Understanding Service in the World War II US Army. Casemate. 2006. 341p. illus. ISBN 1-932033-14-9 [ISBN 978-1-932033-14-4]. pap. $24.95.
Glossy pages, fine color illustrations, and clear and detailed information make this title highly recommended for most collections. The World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, has renewed interest in the subject.

Knox, Debra Johnson. World War II Military Records: A Family Historian’s Guide. Mie Pub. 2003. 366p. ISBN 1-87763-991-5 [ISBN 978-1-87763-991-3]. pap. $23.95.
Libraries should also have this one on hand.

Morebeck, Nancy Justus. Locating Union & Confederate Records: A Guide to the Most Commonly Used Civil War Records of the National Archives and Family History Library. HeritageQuest from ProQuest. 2001. 152p. ISBN 0-944931-89-8 [ISBN 978-0-944931-89-9]. pap. $14.95.
The Civil War is one of the most studied wars in American history, and the tremendous paper trail that it left is a rich genealogical resource.

Neagles, James C. U.S. Military Records: A Guide to Federal and State Sources, Colonial America to the Present. Ancestry. 1994. 441p. ISBN 0-916489-55-8 [ISBN 978-0-916489-55-7]. $39.95.
An abundance of information for tracing military records, this covers federal and state resources for further research.

---

Courthouse Research

Rose, Christine. Courthouse Research for Family Historians: Your Guide to Genealogical Treasures. CR Pubns. 2004. 219p. ISBN 0-929626-16-8 [ISBN 978-0-929626-16-1]. pap. $21.98.
Sooner or later, most genealogists will be heading to local and state courthouses for unique documentation, including property records, civil and criminal court transcripts, vital records, and more. This volume will help with this step.

Hatcher, Patricia Law. Locating Your Roots: Discover Your Ancestors Using Land Records. Betterway Bks. 2003. 211p. ISBN 1-55870-614-3 [ISBN 978-1-55870-614-9]. pap. $21.99.
Many of our ancestors were enticed by offers of free land, and the process of making legal claim involved the generation of paperwork, ultimately covering purchases, sales, inheritance, and more. Hatcher explains how to find and use this material, much of which is tucked away in courthouses and other repositories.

*Szucs, Loretto Dennis. They Became Americans: Finding Naturalization Records and Ethnic Origins. Ancestry. 1998. 294p. ISBN 0-916489-71-X [ISBN 978-0-916489-71-7]. pap. $19.95.
Naturalizations remain one of the finest genealogical records available. Szucs’s learned volume tells what to expect and how to locate documents and background information on American naturalizations.

---

New Developments: DNA

Smolenyak Smolenyak, Megan & Ann Turner. Trace Your Roots with DNA: Using Genetic Tests to Explore Your Family Tree. Rodale. 2004. 272p. ISBN 1-59486-006-8 [ISBN 978-1-59486-006-5]. pap. $14.95.
An easy-to-understand introduction to a fast-growing movement: DNA testing. The popular Smolenyak provides a telling examination here.

Collections for beginning genealogists (and public libraries generally) should consider a subscription to Ancestry, Family Tree, Family Chronicle (published in Canada, so covers more than the United States), or New England Ancestors (especially the latter if your library is located in the region). The other magazines would fit well in more advanced collections. Librarians should also consider the serial publications from their own state’s archives.

American Genealogist. Quarterly. $30. www.americangenealogist.com. ISSN 002-8592.

Ancestry. Bi-monthly. $24.95. www.ancestry.com. ISSN 1075-475X.

Everton’s Genealogical Helper. Bi-monthly.$27.ISSN 0016-6359 www.everton.com.

Family Chronicle. Bi-monthly. $30. www.familychronicle.com. ISSN 1209-4619.

Family Tree. Bi-monthly. $24. www.familytreemagazine.com. ISSN 1529-0298.

New England Ancestors. Quarterly. $40. Published by New England Historic Genealogical Society, which also sends a more specialized quarterly Register to members. www.newenglandancestors.org. ISSN 0028-4785.