[Genealib] genealogy ready reference books

[Stelling, Shari [DCA]]

Thank you, Mara, for pointing out that the Handybook for Genealogists might not be a good tool.
The 11th edition (2006) has our address listed as East 12th and Grand.  We have not been at that location since 1987.  We also have another location in Iowa City which should have been listed that wasn't.
After seeing this glaring mistake, I didn't read any further.  I would never recommend this resource to anyone and am sorry our library purchased it.
--Shari Stelling

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Shari S. Stelling
State Historical Society of Iowa Library
600 East Locust
Des Moines, IA  50319
515-281-5070
email: Shari.Stelling at iowa.gov
________________________________
From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu [mailto:genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu] On Behalf Of Mara Munroe
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 5:11 PM
To: Librarians Serving Genealogists
Subject: RE: [Genealib] genealogy ready reference books

The Handy book for Genealogists still says Winnebago County marriages records begin in 1870, despite the fact that they have been told multiple times over the years that marriage records start in 1848.  The also say there are no 1860 0r 1870 mortality schedules for Wisconsin, when there are.  I buy it, but I don't trust it.  Vital records fees and addresses can change quickly; use the Internet.

The most important ready reference book is the one you (or your genealogical society) make yourself on how to do research in your county or region.  This should have lists of local history source books, cemeteries, defunct post offices, merged churches, discontinued newspapers, which office holds which kind of record, etc.

The second most important book is the one on how to do research in your state.

Mara B. Munroe
Local and Family History Librarian
Oshkosh Public Library
Oshkosh WI 54901-4985

"History is where the evidence leads us; heritage is what we choose to remember and celebrate."  Edward T. Linenthal, May 2005

________________________________
From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu [mailto:genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu] On Behalf Of Shawna Woodard
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 8:35 AM
To: genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
Subject: [Genealib] genealogy ready reference books

I am re-assessing what we hold at the genealogy reference desk as "ready reference".

I know that some librarians swear by "The Source" and "RedBook/ Red Book".

There are three books that I would LIKE to have as ready reference, but we hold older editions, so I might be giving patrons wrong information.  For now, I will not put these as ready reference because they are not current.

Does anyone have other similar titles to recommend as ready reference until new editions of these come out?
1.  Genealogist's Address Book.  Our library owns the 4th edition, 1998.  The 5th edition is listed as out of print, so it looks like we will have to wait for the 6th edition to get a new copy.
2.  International Vital Records Handbook.  We have the 4th edition, 2000.
3.  County Courthouse Book.  We have 1995 edition.

If I use these, I would generally try to find a website that confirms what is listed since the newest of these is 8 years old.

Another idea is to forget about books as ready reference all together and just look at Cyndislist whenever I need websites, addresses, phone numbers, forms, etc.

Any ideas?  Suggestions?

Shawna Woodard
Genealogy Librarian
Dayton Metro Library
215 E. Third St.
Dayton, OH  45402
937-496-8653
Donations of compiled family histories, Montgomery County yearbooks, or money to purchase genealogical materials gladly accepted.

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