Using WorldCat for Genealogy:

Thinking Outside the Chart

Presented by

Callie B. McGinnis

Dean of Libraries

Columbus State University

Columbus, Georgia

Presentation Outline

I. What is WorldCat?

II. What are the basic uses of WorldCat for genealogy?

III. Using WorldCat for family history

V. Promoting WorldCat

VI. Barriers to WorldCat’s usage in genealogical/family history research

First steps:

•Understand what WorldCat is

•Envision all the ways it can be used for genealogical research

WorldCAT:

a database containing65+ million bibliographic records

contributed by over 9,000 libraries

Bibliographic records for:

BooksPeriodicals (including newspapers)AV materialsArchival manuscriptsInternet sites

Typically,what kinds of WorldCat

items would a genealogist search for?

Genealogists are looking for facts:

names, dates, places relationships

John Brown, b. 1667, Barbados, d. 1714, Maryland; m. Ann Smith, b. 1673, Maryland, d. 1727, Maryland; m. 1693, Maryland.

Children: John, 1695-1743; Robert, 1698-1625; Ann, 1700-1762.

Family histories

County histories

Extracted county records:Vital records

Extracted county records:Probate records

Extracted county records:Land records

Extracted county records:Census records

Extracted county records:Church records

Extracted county records:Cemetery records

Newspapers

Bound newspapers

Newspapers on microfilm

Genealogical journals

Once an item is identified, what’s next?

If it’s a book – try to borrow it via ILL

If it’s a newspaper –try to borrow the microfilm

If it’s a journal – try to contact the society that

publishes it to see if an index is available; then request

photocopies of relevant articles via ILL

Things to consider in locating a copy of the item

•Try to borrow the item from a library that is not located near the locale treated in the publication

•Consider visiting the nearest library that owns the item if you cannot borrow it

•Consider trying to purchase the item

Kicking it up a notch: Going beyond genealogy

• Expand your vision to family history

• The final product in genealogy is a pedigree chart

• The final product in family history is narrative

A family history includes information that “fleshes out”

the pedigree chart

The basic effort in family history is to put your ancestor

in context

Research for family history is comparable to research for any

other type of history—it involves an in-depth literature

search

Search Worldcat for items related to a wide variety of

topics in your family history

The church your ancestor attended:

His involvement in historic events:

His occupation:

His creative endeavors:

Letters, diaries or other ms. items:

There are many other possibilities…

Once you value WorldCat,how can you promote it?

• Emphasize its value for family history

• Explain its usage in genealogy classes that you teach

• Show it to patrons in one-on-one situations

• Make it more accessible

Barriers Related to Using WorldCat for Genealogical Research

The “culture of now” and the misconception that everything is on the web

Aversion to traditional research methodology

Complicated Interlibrary Loan processes and fees

Reference librarians who avoid “genies”

Final Words of Wisdom

• To enhance the value of WorldCat for genealogists, promote the concept of “family history” (i.e., placing your family in context)

• For the family historian who utilizes basic research methodology, WorldCat will be an essential tool—just as it is for scholars in academic disciplines