Tag: genealogy journals

Genealogy Journals and PERSI

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On 23 February 2015

In Research, Resources

Most professional groups have some sort of periodical or journal. This is different than a magazine in that articles take up the majority of the space instead of advertisements, and the contributors are those in the field instead of a journalist. Genealogy has several journals that everyone, even the hobbyist, can learn from. These are relatively easy to find and use as well.

There are several perks to reading and studying these journal articles:

  • Methodology – Most articles are about a complex research question and how the author figured out the most reasonable answer.
  • Resources – The articles will mention resources in various places around the world that you may have been unaware of.
  • Citations – The articles in journals have wonderful citations that could lead you to similar findings.
  • Writing – Genealogy journals are an excellent example of genealogical writing.
  • Surnames – There are other people looking for the same people you are; perhaps they even wrote an article about it and you can see their research in a journal.

PERSI (Periodical Search Index)

PERSI is a subject index for history/genealogy periodicals from all over. I mentioned above that you can find your research surname in journals, so if you’re curious if anyone has written about a surname you research, you can search PERSI. Where do you find PERSI?

Ancestry.com used to have it but no longer does, just an FYI.

Searching PERSI with HeritageQuest

PERSI

PERSI is not an every word index – you can search by:

  • People – you can search by surname, keyword, or periodical – Remember that the surname shows up only if it’s in the title. Adding a location or periodical can help with results.
  • Places – state, county, keyword, record type, Canada, and other countries are all available to narrow down your search
  • How-To’s – you can search by keyword and record type
  • Periodicals – specific title keywords can be searched here

Randy Seaver from Genea-Musings created a blog post about how to search PERSI on FindMyPast.com that is well worth reading if you have a subscription there (or have thought about a subscription).

Major Journals

Most libraries will have the top periodicals available in their genealogy section, especially if genealogy is a big research draw for them. Here are some major journals that are well worth reading:

Many times you can also find an index published by the periodical’s organization that list the surnames for their specific publication. These indexes can also be found online at times. For example, the New England Historical and Genealogical Register can be searched through Ancestry.com for the years 1847-2011.

Local Journals/Newsletters

Don’t forget to check out if there are local journals for your area too. Most genealogy societies do have at least a newsletter or quarterly with the same kind of information in the major journals, except more local. These can be found at the local library.

Local journals are also becoming more available online too as newsletters and journals become electronic. For example, I am a part of the Indiana Genealogical Society and their publication, Indiana Genealogist, is available online for members. I love this as I can then search the publication with a keyword search from my computer if need be. Not to mention this is a lot more cost effective!

 

Leave a comment below if you feel I left out a great journal or if you have had some great finds using periodicals. Happy hunting!

Online Educational Resources for Every Genealogist Part 4

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On 2 December 2014

In Resources

You can find the previous posts here:  Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Part 4 of my educational resources are things that can be found online for purchase, rather than reading them online (although you may be able to do that as well; I didn’t go looking for that in particular though). These are books and journals that are considered to be some of the must-haves in the genealogy world. I found my list on the Board for Certification of Genealogist’s educational activities webpage, as well as their recommend reading list.

Books

  1. Board for Certification of Genealogists. Genealogy Standards, 50th-anniversary edition. Nashville, Tennessee: Ancestry, 2014.
    1. This set of standards is a must in my opinion. It’s nothing long and it’s very clear and concise for what the standards are for genealogists. I also have their past book, the millennium edition, which has a lot of examples that the newer edition does not. I use both!
  2. Eales, Anne Bruner, and Robert M. Kvasnicka, editors. Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives of the United States. 3rd edition. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2000.
    1. This looks to be available mostly through the National Archives. It’s on my list of books to get, especially as I want to plan a trip to the National Archives next year!
  3. Greenwood, Val D. The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy. 3rd edition. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2000.
    1. I have this book and read it while doing the NGS Home Study Course (now called American Genealogical Studies). The NGS course was based on the book and I did find the information quite valuable. It also helped to have another source to go to if I had questions about the coursework. I will say that some of the information is a bit outdated especially when it discussed computer/internet technology but it still has good, sound information.
  4. Jones, Thomas W. Mastering Genealogical Proof. Arlington, VA: National Genealogical Society, 2013.
    1. I used this book during the BU Course I took and loved it! Especially for the citation information. It really lays out what is needed in a citation and made it much clearer to me what should be included (I’m no expert, but this helps!). The exercises included also help to make sure you understand the subject matter.
  5. Mills, Elizabeth Shown.  Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace. 3rd ed. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2015.
    1. This should be a staple in any genealogists library, hobbyist to professional! Citing sources for genealogists isn’t always easy and this book helps to lay out examples and give information on what is needed for different types of sources. As a history major and now a genealogist, I think citations are a MUST whenever doing research. In my early years as a genealogist, I did not write down where I got the information. Now, if I want to see it in case it had other information in it (because I didn’t record that either), I have to re-find it. Citations are incredibly helpful and necessary!
  6. Mills, Elizabeth Shown, editor. Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2001.
    1. This was one of the first books I bought and it’s where I found a lot of the information that led me to the path I am on currently. It is also required for the ProGen study group I mentioned before as well. Not to mention, there are excellent examples for client reports and contracts. Plus, it’s great for those getting started in creating a genealogy business and mentions all the little things that I hadn’t thought of before reading (like insurance, the kinds of business types, etc.).

There are obviously more books but I feel like these give someone a great start on their genealogy library.

Journals

Journals are a wonderful way to see how other professional genealogists create proof arguments, articles, methodology, citations, and more. It’s a great way to learn how to begin writing like a professional genealogist, not to mention that most genealogists find all the information fascinating and fun to read! 🙂

  1. National Genealogical Society Quarterly – by the National Genealogical Society
    1. This is the first big journal I started to receive and it’s still one of my favorites. I love all the information in the articles and love learning from each one.
  2. New England Historical and Genealogical Register – by the New England Historic Genealogical Society
    1. I just recently signed up for this one and haven’t had a chance to read through the journal yet but have had this one widely recommended to me so I’m positive it’ll be a good read.
  3. New York Genealogical and Biographical Society Record – by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
    1. This is the second oldest genealogical journal in the US and comes also highly recommended, especially for people with New York research.
  4. The American Genealogist 
    1. This is an independent quarterly journal also known as TAG. Donald Lines Jacobus founded the journal in 1922. It is known for it’s carefully documented research and work.
  5. The Genealogist – by The American Society of Genealogists
    1. Another high-quality journal known for it’s well documented research and scholarly articles. This journal isn’t a quarterly like the others and is published twice a year.

 

Any other must-haves out there? High book/journal recommendations? Any of what I mentioned something that you love? Leave a comment!

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