RE: [Genealib] Genealogy questions asked at the reference desk

[Brannan, Joyce A.]

Become thoroughly familiar with all this site has to offer.
http://www.familysearch.org <http://www.familysearch.org/>   A common
mistake people - they will say something to the effect, "my family isn't
Mormon so the church can't help me."  The Mormon church collects ALL
records of any genealogy value.  True, the IGI and ancestry file are not
to be relied on, but they provide clues.  I liken them to a map drawn by
a cub scout.  But there is much more available from the Mormon church.

 

 

This is a free, complete online course for beginning genealogists
http://261.byu.edu <http://261.byu.edu/> .

 

And, of course, http://www.cyndislist.com <http://www.cyndislist.com/> .

 

Common questions?  1.  Why don't you have all the birth, death,
marriage, probate, etc. records for your county?  Where can I find them?


2.  I've come all the way from (wherever) to look at your records.  Why
can't I get into the archives?  (Our website clearly states that
appointments are recommended because a librarian may not be available.)


3.  I need your slave records.  (We don't have any.) 

 

 

Obscure sources?  1.  Historical societies.  2.  Local library archives,
especially uncatalogued materials.

 

 

Joyce A. Brannan

Technical Services Librarian

University of West Alabama

Livingston, AL 35470

205 652-3677

 

________________________________

From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
[mailto:genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu] On Behalf Of Elizabeth
Clemons
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 4:24 PM
To: Librarians Serving Genealogists
Subject: RE: [Genealib] Genealogy questions asked at the reference desk

 

Dear Connie,

 

I am a reference librarian at a public library in Indiana.  Our library
has a local history/genealogy room, but no full-time librarian who staff
the room.  As such, we often get genealogy questions at the reference
desk.  Be sure to mention that one of the most interesting aspects of
reference work is the variety of questions we can answer for patrons.
Sometimes even the most mundane question (in our opinion), when answered
can make someone's day.  

 

I tend to get quite a few technical questions.  For example, patrons
want to know how to use the microfilm machines and usually want to print
as well.  We also get requests for obituaries, vital records (birth,
marriage and death).  I refer the patrons to the county health
department for information about vital records.  Patrons are also
curious about HeritageQuest and Ancestry Library Edition.  We offer
training for both of these online genealogical resources.  

 

Hope this information helped you.

 

Take care,

Elizabeth Clemons

Reference Librarian

 

________________________________

From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu on behalf of Connie
Kuntz-Thorsen
Sent: Tue 6/20/2006 3:43 PM
To: genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
Subject: [Genealib] Genealogy questions asked at the reference desk

Genealogy questions asked at the reference desk (hope this isn't a
duplicate post) -

Hopefully as librarians in the field you might be able to share your
expertise. I am teaching a genealogy reference course this summer and
since I am not in the field can only give the students the "academic"
view of genealogy research. Would you be able to share questions
commonly asked about genealogy at the reference desk? Do you have any
books/websites/etc. that you constantly recommend? Any obscure sources?
I'd like to give them questions to help them discover what they may be
faced with as reference librarians dealing with genealogy. If you have
any suggestions you could offer I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks for your help.

 

 

Connie Thorsen

Associate Professor

St. John's University

 

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