THE CELTIC CONNECTION • MARCH 1992
Page 35
GENEALOGY
Sitting Down With a Good Book
By EUNICE ROBINSON
During the past twenty years, more and more books have been written on family history/genealogy.
Many of these books provide tremendous historical background, some local colour and a sense of life in these bygone times. In most public libraries utilizing the Dewey Decimal system, the 929 section is where the genealogy/family history books are filed. Unless the library is a specialized one, such as the Family History Libraries connected with the Mormon Church, you won't necessarily find much of the written material that is available. But you probably will locate some basic how-to books.
If your search takes you to a library that uses the Library of Congress filing system, such as most university libraries, then look to the CF section for books on history and genealogy.
As you find bits and pieces of interest, remember to "cite your source". Always, write down the name of the book, the author, the
Eublisher and date published, the •ewey Decimal or Library of Congress call number and in what library you located the book. Or better yet, photocopy the title page of the book with all the information on it.
Some authors to definitely look for include: Angus Baxter, Frank Smith, David Gradner, Eric Jonassen and Bruce S.Elliott. Many of their books are considered the "bibles" of the budding family historian.
The libraries contain books in other areas that are also useful to you in your search. Check out the gazetteer section, usually in the map or the reference area. A gazetteer is like a dictionary of places. For Scotland, there is also one called A
Genealogical Gazetteer of Scotland, by Frank Smith. He also compiled A Genealogical Gazetteer of England.
Maps are also an invaluable source, but you must have the correct time and locality in order to locate your information properly. Remember the border changes, the country name changes, villages have come and gone, accents have been twisted or misunderstood. These factors must be considered. There are ordnance survey maps available which, depending on their scale, can just about pinpoint the house and the trees.
Many book stores have these available, but look first to ensure you have a map that will give you information about the correct time period you are searching. For example, looking at a 1990 map of Glasgow and trying to locate a street that your ancestor lived on in 1850, really won'tdo. Lookingatan 1850 map of Glasgow would definitely be the better Det.
Also, don't forget to check out the library newspaper collection. In the last issue of The Celtic Connection, Ellis Griffiths' article on St. David, Patron Saint of Wales, has been clipped out and placed in my
Williams family tree, because my grandfather was bornin St. David's, Haverfordwest. Articles such as this and the accompanying pictures
enhance your collection.
Of course, if there a genealogical or family history society in your area,
then contact them, since most of them have wonderful libraries and are more than willing to assist you if they can.
The British Columbia Genealogical Society meets the second Wednesday of every month at St Giles United Church, 305 West41st Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. from 7:30 PM to 10 PM Visitors are always welcome. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 94371, Richmond, B.C. V6Y 2A8.
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