IIGS™ Newsletter - May/June 1999
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IIGS™ Newsletter - May/June 1999
Genealogists perform research in pursuit of their ancestors. Genealogists should be reminded to perform research when in pursuit of resources.I have read many plaintive posts on newsgroups and maillists lamenting the high cost of genealogy resources. Whereas I concede the point--this is not a cheap hobby--many of the same people have been spending their money in the wrong places.
CAVEAT EMPTOR
Some genealogists have found Internet auction sites, such as eBay. And there are bargains to be found there, as well as precious family memorabilia to be rescued from those sites.
However, some people are not doing their homework.
A recent auction had the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) British Vital Records CD's for sale. The "successful" bidder paid $90.98 plus 3.55 shipping. These CD's are available from the LDS on-line for $15, including shipping.
Likewise, the LDS North American Vital Records set went for $113.25 plus $3.55 shipping and it's available from the LDS for $19, including shipping.
A 1988 set (yes, eleven years old) of 53 North Carolina International Genealogical Index (IGI) fiche went for $124.38 at an auction. The 1998 fiche set is available for less than $8.
Similar "bargains" also are found for non-LDS resources. A Surname Genealogy book went for $112.50. A net search of booksellers would have turned up the very same book, same edition, but new rather than used, for $13.50.
One seller has quite a few books for sale. He is honest, and plainly posts in the auction information that this and other books are available at his website. Regardless of that information, the auction books routinely sell for much more than they can be ordered at his site - sometimes two and three times the listed price.
A "Vital Records of..." book, a four-pages-on-one reprint, went for $294.50 - plus shipping. The very same edition can be gotten from the publisher for $29.95, or about ten per cent of the auction price.
There are many CD's for sale that offer genealogy software. These are not bargains. The same software is available for free download at various sites.
Back issues of a prestigious genealogy society magazine were sold for almost $30 at auction. Yet, the very same issues are available from the genealogy society for $4. And this genealogy society has on-line ordering (as do many others). Sales made through the genealogy society contribute a small amount of profit, which enables that society to continue its work. Sales made to individuals do not benefit the societies in any way.
A special caution about CD's. Inquire before you buy! A CD labeled "New York Marriages 1610-1965" sounds irresistable, but a bit of research will tell you that there are 2,204 marriages on the CD--one from 1610, one from 1732, one from 1965, and the other 2,201 from Wyoming County, 1861-1887. That is a great deal if you are researching Wyoming County, but not so great if you are hot on the trail of your Brooklyn ancestors.
ALTERNATIVES
- ILL
InterLibrary Loan. Find a book on Library of Congress National Union of Catalogue Manuscript Collections (NUCMC) or United States Library of Congress (LOC), or browse through Books In Print. Then ask your local librarian to perform an Interlibrary Loan for you. You might well be surprised.
- Local Libraries
Many local libraries maintain history and genealogy books for their localities; a thirty-three cent stamp, and a nominal donation might well garner valuable information. The Allen County Library will, for a minor fee, send copies of articles as listed in Periodical Source Index (PERSI). Your local librarian will assist you in finding libraries with pertinent collections.
- Genealogy Societies
Both New England Historic Genealogy Society (NEHGS) and National Genealogical Society (NGS) have circulating libraries for their members. The books are shipped by mail, and lent for a very reasonable rental. Local genealogy societies will often send copies of specific pages of books in their libraries. Even if they only charge postage and copying costs, a donation will allow them to continue this service. There are also commercial book lending services.
- Books On Line
Many organizations have been putting books, including history and genealogy books on-line. Check them out before you buy. Many newspapers have online articles about local history.
- Genealogy and History Book publishers and new book sales
Many publishers have catalogues on-line. You may find just the reference you need.
- Used Books
As mentioned above, there are many used and rare booksellers on the net. You might find interesting references by searching these bookseller sites for surnames or locations. Don't forget to check out the soc.genealogy.marketplace newsgroup. You may also want to search the net for email or United States mail addresses of the authors of self-published books.
- Flea markets
You may find books and family memorabilia at local flea markets. Old editions of encyclopedias will provide you with early maps of areas you are researching.
- Volunteers
There are at least five sites which maintain lists of volunteers who will do specific look up requests for books they own. And many of the USGenWeb county sites maintain similar lists. Be sure to offer to be a lookup volunteer after you purchase your frugally purchased books!Please note: I have no connection with any of the following sites, this is not by any means an exhaustive list, and inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement.
Auctions
http://www.ebay.com/
http://www.bidaway.com/
http://www.utrade.8m.com/
LDS online
http://www.familysearch.org/
http://www.familysearch.org/OtherResources/Other_Resources.asp
Software sites
http://www.download.com/
http://www.tucows.com/
http://www.zdnet.com/
NGS
http://www.nehgs.org/
http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/
http://www.agll.com/
Books on-line
http://lcweb.loc.gov/catalog/
http://www.refdesk.com/books.html
http://www.sec.gov/edgarhp.htm
http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/services/egnlogy.htm
http://www.siris.si.edu/index.html
http://grid.let.rug.nl/ahc/hist.html
http://www.promo.net/pg/
http://www-lib.ipfw.indiana.edu/docs/acpl/
Newspapers
http://www.nydailynews.com/
http://www.nytimes.com/
http://www.newsday.com/
Catalogues on-line
http://www.militarybookman.com/
http://www.familytreemaker.com/catalog/index.html
http://www.heraldrytoday.co.uk/
http://www.franceantiq.fr/Books/skorianetz/sko-uk.htm
http://www.pakmart.com/cangelaris/gen.html
http://www.booksforscholars.com/XWMainFrame.htm
http://www.saur.de/
http://www.will-britt-books.com/philadelphia.htm/
http://indigo.ie/%7Edeburca/publish.htm
http://www.search-beat.com/asiaroots.htm
http://www.xerxesbooks.com/pages/tab.htm
http://www.cartographicarts.com/
http://www.heritagebooks.com/index.htm
http://www.genealogybookshop.com/
http://www.hamiltonbook.com/
http://www.clossonpress.com/
Booksellers
http://www.godutch.com/books/category.htm
http://www.franceantiq.fr/slam/teissedre/
http://www.dhc.net/~jw/
http://www.spark-dir.com/bookreview.html
http://www.highfiber.com/~rmcclend/Index.html
http://www.tuttlebooks.com/
http://www.bookwire.com/index/Antiquarian-Booksellers.html
http://www.titles.co.nz/
http://www2.alibris.com/
http://www.book-sales-in-america.com/
http://www.rarebooks.to/riv_coll/bibles/biblfram.htm
http://whipper.abebooks.com/abep/il.dll?ph=1
http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/afrbook.html
http://www.ica-ark.com/JHC.htm
http://www.bibliofind.com/
Flea Market Guide
http://www.fleamarketguide.com/
Family memorabilia found on Internet auctions
- Papers
Personal effects of Augusta HELLEBLAD, born 1888.
This collection includes three pieces:
Permit to leave her homeland,stamped 1908.
Cabin Ticket on the emigrant ship, S.S. Hellig Olav
Photo
- Papers
Huge assortment of Irish legal related documents from 1800s to early 1900s. Indentures, wills, receipts, letters, notes, court documents, stock divident receipts, ledgers, primarliy relating to the estates of Annie PIGOT, Lunatic, and Jones Q. PIGOT. Other documents relating to the law practice of a lawyer named O'HAGEN of Dublin. Other names mentioned include MONAHAN, O'BRIEN and WARREN.
- Photo
Photo of Florence Josephine ATWOOD. Item purchased at an estate sale in Indiana but near the Michigan border.
- Bible
Family Bible: Earliest entry is for a John DODGE, born 11 September 1763. This is a recurring family name (Johns born 3 July 1801 and 19 September 1828). This middle John married a STICKNEY 19 December 1827.
- Book
Posterity of Samuel RICHARDSON born in England about 1610. The genealogy is carried out to the ninth generation. A previous owner has appended several additional names to the eighth and ninth generation information. Persons mentioned in this book are from Vermont, New York, Illinois, Iowa, and Massachusetts. This book is a supplement to the book, The RICHARDSON Memorial by the Rev. John Adams VINTON
- Deed
Deed 1869 Newport Rhode Island. Lysander STEVENS sells land to John TILLY.
- Photo and Marriage Certificate
Rev. Harry Summer MITCHELL and Miss Harriet Polly SLACK (4 August 1898.)
- Letter
Two page letter from Alexander WILDER at Albany, New York on March 17, 1861 to Brother William WILDER, Mulberry Corners, Ohio.
- Letter
10 October 1898, Frank ATKINSON is writing to his mother in Pataskala, Ohio about camp life.To find more, go to:
http://listings.ebay.com/aw/listings/list/category126/page2.htmlEnter Photo or Family or Deed or Letter (etc.) in the Search box and click on "Search only in Paper:Ephemera."
Or go to the main Search page, and use "Genealogy" as the argument.