Genealogy and Family History: Resources

Books

Address Book for Germanic Genealogy by Ernest Thode (1997) 929.1025 Thode

Updates many addresses from previous editions, especially in light of new postal codes and German reunification; and adds many others, especially of municipal archives and local European historical and genealogical societies. Identifies archives, religious organizations, booksellers, foreign offices, map sources, ship and riverboat records, museums, and other sources of information in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, other German- speaking areas, and the US. Provides sample letters in German.

The Complete Guide to Creating Heritage Scrapbooks by Memory Makers (2002) 745.593 Complete

The idea of beginning work on your heritage album might seem overwhelming at first: There are boxes of photos and memorabilia to sort through, questions about your ancestors to ask and, if you're a first-timer, basic scrapbooking techniques and "jargon" to learn. This book is an essential tool to get started.

Crafting Your Own Heritage Album by Bev Kirschner Braun (2000) 929.1 Braun

Kirschner Braun approaches scrapbooking from the perspective of the genealogist and family historian. In addition to advice on mounting and preserving documents and photos, she has a chapter of genealogy basics with forms and practical information. The book is beautifully illustrated with Kirschner Braun's own family material.

Discover Your Roots: Dig Up Your Family History and Other Buried Treasures by Paul Blake (2007) 929.1072 Blake

Provides tips and advice on how to conduct genealogical searches, featuring insider recommendations for everything from researching census records and crime reports to tracking down grave sites and using Internet resource.

Finding Your Family on the Internet: the Ultimate Guide to Online Family History Research by Michael Otterson (2006) 929.1 Otterson

This beginner's guide to finding family history online takes readers through a simple, step-by-step process to help fill the gaps and holes in one's family network. Complete with a section of reviewed and recommended genealogy websites, this resource provides guidance on how to maximize the benefits of the Internet while avoiding less-than-reputable and unreliable sites. Peppered with amusing but encouraging personal stories, the author calls upon more than 30 years of genealogy experience to help readers hunt down their ancestral lines from all of the major countries of the world.

From Generation to Generation: How to Trace Your Jewish Genealogy and Family History by Arthur Kurzweil (2004) 929.1089924 Kurzweil

First published in 1980, From Generation to Generation provided invaluable information and research tips for Jews interested in plumbing the depths of their family history. In this latest edition, Kurzweil incorporates the most recent technological advances and innovations into his information-gathering guide. Using the Internet as a resource, it is now easier and less time-consuming to gather documents, cross-check references, and peruse government records. Although much of the information provided can be applied to any ethnic group, the author painstakingly outlines how Jewish genealogy substantially differs from all other genealogy. Brimming with worthwhile advice and handy shortcuts, this handbook will have immense appeal for a limited audience.

A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your African American Ancestors: How to Find and Record Your Unique Heritage by Franklin Carter Smith (2003) 929.1089960 Smith

Accompanied by handy forms, examples, outlines, and maps, an essential guide to tracing one's African-American ancestry features a proven, three-part approach that covers the post-Civil War era to the present and provides extensive case studies that simplify the research process to yield accurate results.

A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your English Ancestors by Paul Milner (2000) 929.1072041 Milner

Milner, a professional researcher and speaker, and Jonas, president of the British Isles Family History Society, offer their combined expertise to those in search of their English heritage. Geared toward beginners, this starts with an excellent review of the basics of research and the procedures to acquire information from stateside libraries, LDS Family History Centers, and the Internet. Several chapters then address specific, complex sorts of records. Copious examples give readers an idea of what to expect. Icons point out tips, reminders, and case studies, and brief bibliographies for further reading are found throughout the book.

A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Irish Ancestors: How to Find and Record Your Unique Heritage by Dwight Radford (2001) 929.108991Radford

The authors begin with a recap of basic search strategies, such as understanding given names and surnames and options in research depending on whether or not an ancestor's place in Ireland is known. Several chapters are then devoted to resources for locating Irish immigrants in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and the British West Indies -- a vital approach, as many beginners want to "jump the pond" straight to Ireland while ignoring non-Irish sources that can provide valuable data. Coverage of Irish sources such as civil registrations, emigration lists, tax, estate and land records, military records, and cemetery, census, and church data includes the historical significance of the record types and what sort of information can be found within. Other topics covered are Irish place names and administrative divisions, heritage centers, Internet resources, inventories and catalogs, research guides, and society records.

A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Italian Ancestors by Lynn Nelson (1997) 929.1072045 N334g

The book takes you step by step throught the process of how to read, decipher, and understand the vital records of Italy. Great examples of how to translate and understand birth, marriage, and death records are included. Word lists and examples are extremely helpful to both the beginner and veteran.

Keeping Family Stories Alive: a Creative Guide to Taping Your Family Life & Lore by Vera Rosenbluth (1990) 929.1 R723k

This oral family history handbook takes a different approach from similar books by including new material on memory and advice on jogging memories for the interviewer and the interviewee. There are also examples from real interviews. As do the standard books, this also gives practical advice on handling microphones and audio and videotape, interviewing techniques, suggested interview questions, and preserving and using tapes.

My History Is America's History: 15 Things You Can Do To Save America's Stories by The National Endowment for the Humanities (1999) 929.1072073 National

The guidebook offers a way for everyone to explore family history to discover how family stories connect to the history of the nation. It suggests that a family history can be started with a single old photo, letter, or family tale that can be saved as a legacy for generations to come. The guidebook provides 15 ways to preserve family memories and treasures through activities that make history an exciting adventure for the entire family, complete with many examples of how other families have discovered and saved their own stories.

Organizing & Preserving Your Heirloom Documents by Katherine Sturdevant (2002) 929.1 Sturdevant

Provides tips and guidelines tailored to amateur genealogists interested in organizing and perhaps even publishing precious family documents. After locating and identifying existing family documents, it is imperative to take necessary steps to preserve them. New documents may be created by writing memoirs, keeping a journal, or conducting oral interviews. Detailed instructions on classifying, categorizing, transcribing, editing, annotating, and illustrating a variety of sources and documents are also included. Family historians will welcome this treasure trove of practical information.

Planting Your Family Tree Online: How to Create Your Own Family History Web Site by Cyndi Howells (2003) 929.1028567 Howells

Planting Your Family Tree Online is designed to take you step-by-step through the process of creating a genealogy Web site. This book is written by Cyndi Howells, owner and webmaster of Cyndi's List, a Web site of more than 130,000 online genealogical resources.

The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy by Val D. Greenwood (2000) 929.1072073 Greenwood

Written for those wishing to undertake genealogical projects in the United States. After a discussion of theoretical and methodological problems, the better part of the volume explains types of records available such as census returns, probate records, wills, land records, court records, cemeteries, and military records.

Trace Your Roots with DNA: Using Genetic Tests to Explore Your Family Tree by Megan Smolenyak (2004) Available through CMARS

Two leading genealogists explain how the latest techniques in genetic testing can help readers research their ancestry and family history, discussing what kind of information DNA testing can provide, how to interpret the results, what is and is not possible with genetic testing, and more.

The Weekend Genealogist: Timesaving Techniques for Effective Research by Marcia Melnyk (2000) 929.1072073 Melnyk

Melnyk, a professional genealogist, addresses the need for time management and organization in this latest how-to-do-genealogy-better guide. She gears this toward new genealogists strapped for research time, emphasizing numerous materials and techniques that cut down on piles of paper and repetitious research, and offers suggestions for the types and proper usage of genealogical forms (and provides reproducible forms at the back of the book), filing systems, and where and when to look for bargains on office materials.

 

VIDEOS

Finding Oprah's Roots: Finding Your Own (2007) DVD 929.1072

Learn about the past of the African American people and how more and more can be linked to their ancestors in Africa, thanks to genealogical research and DNA-analysis developments.

How to Trace Your Native American Heritage (1998) VHS 929.1072

Discusses how and where to research one's Indian lineage, how to obtain Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood, and tribal membership.

The Central Library has Springfield newspapers from 1900 - date, as well as old Springfield City Directories. In addition, remember to check with the Local History and Genealogy Library at the Museum of Springfield History for more in-depth research on family histories. Their hours of operation are Wednesday-Saturday from noon - 4:00 p.m. and their telephone number is 413-263-6800 ext 230.

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