Running head: EVERYTHING IS RELATIVE: GENEALOGICAL REFERENCE SERVICES
1
Everything is Relative: Genealogy and Library Reference Services
Michelle E. Colquitt
Completed as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
Master of Library and Information Science Capstone
Valdosta State University
November 23, 2011
GENEALOGICAL REFERENCE SERVICES 2
Abstract
Genealogy is a very captivating discipline with millions of devotees. To provide essential
genealogical reference services, it is crucial that librarians be well versed in strategies for dealing
with these patrons. Librarians must appreciate the difference between genealogy research and
family history research in order to provide research assistance. In order to provide these
genealogical reference services, librarians must be trained in reference work through coursework
at library school. There is a brief discussion of the history of genealogical inquiry in the United
States. Then there is a discussion of the ALA‟s Reference and User Services Associations
various guidelines relating to what librarians should know after library school to assist patrons
and essential collection descriptions for libraries. Various issues, or complications associated
with genealogical research relationship are discussed. This paper ends with a discussion of ways
librarians and libraries can be better prepared for genealogical researchers.
Keywords: Genealogy, Reference Services, pedigree chart, Ahnentafel chart, American Library
Association, Reference and User Services Association, relationships, public library, academic
library, archive, genealogical reference interview, ancestry.com
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Everything is Relative: A Survey of Genealogical Reference Services
Libraries prove to be of great benefit to their local communities because they provide
many critical services to the community for free. One essential function that a library, be it
public academic, or archive provides for local history researchers is serving as a repository for
local history records. Public libraries, and therefore, librarians should consider genealogical
patrons to be their “bread and butter” because libraries are in the genealogy business (Nelms,
1979 p. 686). These records are crucial for genealogists who want to learn more about their
family‟s presence, either positive or negative, in the local community. Local history records held
by libraries are very informative and also provide answers about family histories that have been
either suppressed or forgotten.
Genealogy is a very fascinating topic of study, with millions of users attempting to find
information out about their roots. In the most recent statistics provided by Ancestry.com, a
leading hub of genealogical resources, there are 1.7 million paying subscribers to their service
who have access to 7 billion historical records and potential access to 65 million photos and
stories about both their families and other families (2011 “Quick Facts”). Regardless of
subscription sites, genealogists still rely upon their local libraries to gain access to physical
resources, including documents from the genealogical or local history collections. Kundanis
(2008) stated “most of the historical records at our library are limited by what the library always
had, and we don‟t usually acquire many new historical records unless someone writes a book. So
Ancestry.com is a great investment for us and well worth its affordable prices” (p. 98).
Librarians can provide valuable assistance to patrons, through their hands on reference
instruction and use of electronic resources.
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When community patrons are researching genealogy in local libraries, the librarian must
be well prepared to assist these patrons in accessing unique genealogical resources. Genealogical
research questions can be some of the most unique or frustrating a reference librarian can
encounter because these questions require understanding of specialized collections, a diverse
clientele who demands perfection, and the uniqueness of the genealogical reference interview.
The specialized nature of genealogical reference services begs the question “Do library schools
adequately prepare librarians to assist patrons with genealogical reference services?”
This paper will specifically define the difference between genealogy and family history,
and provide examples of specialized documents relating to each topic. Guidelines from the
American Library Association, specifically the Reference and User Services Association, which
govern what library students should know and specifically how libraries should respond to
genealogy will be discussed in depth. Then there will be a discussion of the challenges faced by
librarians who deal with genealogical researchers, such as specialized collections, a unique
clientele (including interactions with genealogists from the public and academic libraries, and
archive perspective), and specialized tactics for best assisting these patrons. Finally, there will be
a discussion of ways the librarian can familiarize themselves with genealogical resources, in
order to provide quality reference service to their patrons even if this topic is not one that is
particularly interesting or intriguing to them.
Genealogical Definitions, Documents, and History
Definitions
In order for librarians to best assist their genealogical reference patrons, they need to
become familiar with the specialized nature of genealogy research. Genealogy and family history
are two unique and different topics, and many individuals cannot appreciate the difference. The
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difference between genealogy and family history are akin to a bare skeleton (genealogy) with
flesh added on layer upon layer (family history). Morgan (2009) classifies genealogy as “…the
scholarly study of a family‟s line of descent from its ancestors, during which one develops an
understanding of the family‟s historical context and documents its history and traditions” (p. 3).
In contrast, family history is defined as “…the study of a family‟s history and traditions
over an extended period of time [which]… may involve documenting some or all of the facts”
(Morgan, 2009 p. 3). Once librarians appreciate the difference between these two concepts, they
can better assist their genealogical patrons with completion of genealogical research to find
specific documents and effectively locate resources for these genealogical quests.
Genealogical Specific Documents
In the beginning of their genealogical and family history research, the patron gathers
information to create two main documents, the pedigree and Ahnentafel charts. The main
document created in genealogical research is the pedigree chart. A pedigree chart, also known as
a five generation chart, lists your mother, father, and subsequent maternal and paternal family
lines (Croom, 2001 p. 10-11). The five generation chart can be completed relatively easily by an
amateur genealogist, providing that they have family members that will honestly provide them
with information about their maternal and paternal antecedents.
More specialized assistance is required for the genealogist who is attempting to delve
deeper into their family history. One of the main family history documents in the Ahnentafel
chart. This chart is a listing of all relatives starting with one‟s self, and then listing all other
relatives. For the librarian‟s reference, an Ahnentafel chart is defined as “a German word
meaning „ancestor table.‟ This system of numbering gives each ancestor a number and makes
organization and reference easier. Fathers are even numbers, mothers odd. To find a father‟s
GENEALOGICAL REFERENCE SERVICES 6
number double the child‟s number…[then] add one to the father‟s number to get the mother‟s
number” (Hoffman-Rising, 2011 p. 220, Croom, 2001 p. 11-12). This chart commonly relates
anecdotes about a given person, such as where they lived and other vital statistics about them,
such as occupation, home place, any medical issues, or any family anecdotes.
Once the genealogist has begun working on these documents, they are then more likely to
utilize the resources of their local libraries. Even if the librarian has only had a core reference
services class while in Library School, they still should be able to effectively assist genealogical
reference patrons in a positive and helpful manner.
Brief History of Genealogical Research
It would be remiss to overlook the rich history of genealogical research in the United
States. Interest in genealogical research was piqued by Alex Haley‟s novel Roots, which was
published in 1976. Once it was published, there was great demand for the text and the novel
could not be found on library shelves for many years (Manley, 2010 p. 9). Meredith Colket, a
Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists, as quoted in Redmann (1993) stated “Roots,
more than any other single work, stimulated the man in the street to inquire about the genetic,
cultural, and other forces that contributed to making him the person he is” (p. 122). While
interest in genealogy was great in the 1970s, there has been a recent resurgence of interest in
genealogical research because of television programs such as Faces of America and Who Do You
Think You Are? (Corley, 2010 p. 37). One major reason for the resurgence of genealogical
research is because it is personal and it connects you to your past. Given the current economic
and political climate, any connection to the “good old days” beckons genealogists.
Regardless of the reasons for genealogical research, there has been a resurgence of
genealogical research in America. In fact, Davidsson (2004) relates that “public interest in
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genealogical information has grown by one-third since 1995” (p. 142). Genealogical research is a
hobby that proves to be captivating for everyone, regardless of ethnicity and gender. However,
genealogists who are researching minorities often encounter problems during their genealogical
research, especially if they are researching African American or Native American ancestors. The
pre-eminent scholar, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., through his PBS programs African American
Lives 1 and 2, explored genealogical research in a minority perspective. Gates called on multiple
historians, scientists, geneticists and genealogists in order to puzzle out the genealogies of many
prominent African Americans. These researchers are able to tap into the genealogical resources
that are found in the Slave Schedules of the pre-1870 censuses, and are also able to utilize the
censuses after 1870 because these documents were the first to list African Americans with
identifying demographic information. Gates (2009) relates that the 1870 census “…is like a
miracle, a godsend to African American history and genealogy… [it] is the bridge between
slavery and freedom, between the early nineteenth century and the twentieth” (p. 8). Even though
the 1870 census is a godsend for African American genealogists, there are many ancestors who
have been forgotten by history, and it is crucial for librarians to understand and respect the
various cultural implications of genealogy.
Genealogical Collections and Librarian Governance Policies
Reference and User Services Association—Guidelines for Developing a Core Genealogy
Collection
While there are many emotions involved in genealogical research, and it can be
somewhat unpredictable at times, multiple agencies have enacted policies to cover frequently
encountered issues in genealogical research. For genealogical collections to run smoothly, and
librarians to provide quality reference services, policies that govern collections and librarians
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must be in place and followed on a regular basis. On a national basis, the American Library
Association has established Guidelines for Developing a Core Genealogical Collection (2007).
Statewide policies covering the governance of library collections and genealogical research are
enacted on a state by state basis. The librarian‟s home institution is usually responsible for
enacting policies to govern genealogical reference services. The genealogical reference services
policy could be incorporated into the reference services policy, or there could be a standalone
policy governing genealogical research. These guidelines cover many areas, such as services,
collection development, personnel, access, preservation, and even fiscal consideration (American
Library Association, 2007). In order for librarians to effectively assist genealogical reference
patrons, they must be able to guide patrons through their library‟s collection. The ALA indicates
that “reference librarians should be trained to assist genealogy patrons with evaluation, search
techniques, protocol, and the use of digital data sources and services related to genealogy
research” (2007). Through their education and training, librarians should be able to ascertain the
nature of general reference questions and then assist them in dealing with genealogical reference
questions. The librarian can basically follow a roadmap of guidance through their library‟s
electronic resources, local history print collection, and make referrals to outside organizations.
Librarians can easily expound upon their training in regards to reference services to become
prepared to assist genealogical researchers.
Reference and User Services Association Guidelines for a Unit or Course of Instruction in
Genealogy Research at Schools of Library and Information Science
While the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) has established general
Guidelines for Developing a Core Genealogy Collection, they have also established written
Guidelines concerning the establishment of genealogical training programs for library schools.
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These Guidelines for a Unit or Course of Instruction in Genealogy Research at Schools of
Library and Information Science provide governance for a library school‟s genealogical research
program in twelve specific areas. These areas are (1) unit or course objective, (2) definitions,
motivations, and the library‟s role, (3) basic genealogical research methodology, (4) patron
orientation/education and the reference interview, (5) major genealogy research resources, (6)
interlibrary loan, (7) patron referrals, (8) local genealogical and historical societies, (9)
volunteers, (10) ethical and legal issues, (11) consumer issues, and (12) genealogical collection
development and preservation (RUSA, ALA, 2007). RUSA‟s creation of guidelines which cover
such vast subtopics of genealogy indicates the importance of genealogy for the student‟s future
work in the library. Even if librarians do not study genealogical while they are in school, they
must be prepared to encounter these questions on a daily basis. The reference skills librarians
obtain while in library school sufficiently prepare the new librarian to effectively assist
genealogical reference patrons.
It is important that librarians be able to understand the hierarchy of the RUSA Guidelines
and be able to apply the most important guidelines to their interactions with patrons. Guideline
3.0, Basic genealogical research methodology, establishes the protocol for genealogy research,
and it is important for a librarian to be familiar with this protocol when helping genealogy
researchers. Guideline 3.0 establishes that the patron and librarian should start with the closest
generation to the genealogist and work backwards from there. Guideline 4.0, Patron
orientation/education and the reference interview, stresses the importance of a librarian‟s ability
to assess what the genealogy researcher needs, how to access those sources, and screen them for
usefulness to the researcher. From the title of this guideline, the importance of the genealogical
reference interview can be determined. Guideline 5.0, Major genealogy research resources,
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includes sources such as military records, vital records, census records, and land records; it is
necessary for a librarian to be familiar with these resources in order to provide quality assistance
to genealogy researchers. This Guideline also emphasizes that the librarian should know the
goals of genealogical research through determining if the patron has begun to work on their
pedigree chart. This should also be when the librarian gleans what is known or unknown during
the genealogical research process (RUSA, 2007).
Concerns Present in Genealogical Research
Genealogical research is recognized as an area in which librarians want to provide quality
reference services to their patrons. However, there is a rather surprisingly negative body of
literature that establishes certain issues encountered by librarians and patrons in genealogical
reference interactions. Davidsson (2004) relates that “the public demand for genealogical
research assistance is present in every community in America. It is a challenge for librarians, as
information professionals, to provide themselves with the knowledge and ability to assist this
special client group in the library” (p. 142). There are many reasons why genealogical reference
services can be perceived as a difficult aspect of a librarian‟s job. Three main reasons why
genealogical references services is often perceived to be difficult are: genealogy requires special
collection materials that are unique, librarians face different clientele during genealogical
research, and there are special reference techniques librarians must rely upon to effectively assist
patrons with genealogical reference services. There are also specific implications, and
challenging aspects each library type, be it Public, Academic, or Archive faces when dealing
with genealogical researchers.
Regardless of the difficulties librarians face when dealing with genealogical researchers,
they still need to remain positive and helpful as best they can. One of the most intrinsic values a
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librarian possesses is the desire to help others have a better life or better situation. Schneider
(2011), in a very eloquent statement about librarianship stated the following:
In the end, what matters, and what we are about, are the ancient truths of librarianship:
organizing, managing, making available, preserving, and celebrating the word in all of its
manifestations; helping our users build skill sets the fundamentals of which (if not the
ephemeral details) will last a lifetime; and celebrating and defending the right to read,
however that word is interpreted. This is what we do. This is who we are. This makes us
librarians. (April 11, 2011 para 24).
While genealogical research is not profoundly earthshaking, the discipline‟s enthusiasts are
devoted to genealogy because it provides connectivity to other people, places, and times.
Genealogy is highly personal and can mean the world to the individual researcher.
Collections
Within the library environment, the genealogy collection is distinct and is often held to
more rigorous collection development policies than the general circulating collection. Usually,
the collection development policy is written with certain goals in mind. For example, the Athens
Regional Library System‟s Heritage Room Collection Management Policy establishes the
rationale behind collecting materials of local and regional historical significance. This policy
establishes that “the Heritage Room seeks to serve serious students of Georgia History, local
history and genealogy of all ages, from the beginner to the experienced researcher” (ARLS,
1996). The scope and purpose of the collection enable the librarian and patron to have a shared,
coexisting and understanding of the purpose for the libraries genealogical or local history
collection.
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Generally, the genealogy or local history section collection development will be driven
by the policy to collective materials that are relevant to the community, state, and then specific
geographic area. Genealogical or local history collections can be either generalized or very
specific in nature. Of course, this depends upon the home institution, and its place within the
community. Genealogical collections located in larger cities frequently have access to
newspapers, yearbooks, books by local authors, maps, and other ephemera associated with the
community in general. Nelms (1979) stated “building a collection to meet their [genealogists]
needs does not have to be an expensive proposition if librarians set appropriate limits on the
scope and type of collection they wish to develop. The current interest in genealogy and local
history can be used to promote a public drive to strengthen an existing collection or to create one
where none exists” (p. 687). There are often microfilm or microfiche readers in the genealogical
area, which require staff intervention to help patrons learn how to use these sometimes daunting
machines.
Clientele
Genealogical research is an act that depends very much on the relationship between the
genealogist and the librarian. A positive interaction between the librarian and genealogist makes
for both a satisfied genealogist and librarian. Surprisingly, there is a body of research that
indicates both patrons and librarians sometimes find the genealogical research process to be
frustrating. Billeter (2001) indicates that librarians do not like genealogists because “librarians
are human: they don‟t want to admit their ignorance of the specialized resources genealogists
use” (p. 2). She then suggests that there can be negative connotations within a genealogical
reference session because “…genealogists often are not library users prior to becoming
genealogists, so they don‟t know library jargon (ILL, Ref, Circ, fiche) or procedures (using the
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catalog, using microfilm and microfiche readers, requesting an interlibrary loan” (p. 2).
Ignorance on both the librarian and patron‟s part of the goals or policies of genealogical research
can create a very frustrating genealogical reference experience.
Literature indicates that genealogical patrons are sometimes viewed as stereotypes. While
conducting interviews with several archivists, Edwards (1993) found that some archivists
“shared . . . stereotypes that genealogists were not serious researchers and therefore not
deserving of the same sort of respect and treatment we would give . . . a hot-shot academic.” (p.
40). Regardless of whether or not librarians possess stereotypical views of genealogists, the
librarian should be aware of the assets genealogists can provide to their organization.
Genealogical patrons should be viewed as an asset rather than a nuisance or hindrance to the
librarian. McKay (2002) emphasizes that the information scientist should maintain a positive
relationship with the genealogical patron because “genealogists support records access and
preservation through the strength of their political voice with legislators and other government
leaders, including managers of records repositories” (p. 31). Cultivating a positive relationship
with genealogists is beneficial to collection development because genealogists often are
collectors of or have access to influential donors or impressive collections. McKay (2002) further
states “they [genealogists] buttress this support with gifts of their money and volunteer labor.
Many archivists would profit from cultivating and respecting their company and collaborating
with them to preserve our cultural heritage” (p. 31). Building a relationship with genealogists
impacts the library in so many exciting ways; librarians should aspire to cultivate this
relationship.
Public Library Implications. Public librarians face several distinct and challenging
aspects when dealing with genealogical research questions. For purposes of this paper, the author
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consulted with Ms. Jan Burroughs, one of two librarians based at the Elbert County (Georgia)
Public Library, and Ms. Laura Carter, Heritage Room Librarian at the Athens Regional Library
located in Athens, Georgia. Both librarians were asked about their frequency of interaction with
genealogical researchers and the frustrating aspects they encounter during the genealogical
research process.
Ms. Burroughs, one of two librarians based out of a small county library in Northeast
Georgia, stated that she encounters genealogical research questions on a daily basis. Generally,
the patrons Ms. Burroughs encounters are very calm and respectable, but she reports that they
can be tedious at times because of their individual skill levels. She states that these patrons are
often very new to genealogical research or using a computer, and they sometimes lack critical
thinking or research skills. Finally, she reports that the most frustrating patrons “don‟t
understand that I‟m not here to do all of the tedious research for them. I‟m there to steer them to
the most likely resources and to share information that I know” (personal communication,
November 7, 2011).
Ms. Carter, the Heritage Room Librarian for the Athens Regional Library System‟s
Athens branch, echoed Ms. Burroughs‟ sentiments. She stated that some of the most frustrating
patrons she encounters are those patrons who want the research to be handed to them
automatically without having to do any research. She stated further that the individual patron‟s
level of research and critical thinking is another aspect that can be frustrating because these
researchers are often very new to genealogy and sometimes lack critical thinking or research
skills. Finally, she reports that the most frustrating patrons “want staff members to do all of the
work. In our library, our job is to teach them to fish and make sure we have the right bait and
techniques to make it possible” (personal communication, November 7, 2011).
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Academic Library Implications. Academic libraries can also function as a resource for
amateur genealogists. Academic libraries have many resources that can often be overlooked.
Russ (2010) presented that government document usage in academic libraries can be classified as
genealogical research. She presents that academic libraries often have access to national records,
and especially records about military service, which can be beneficial for genealogical
researchers” (p. 14-15). In an interview with Ms. Russ, she indicated that she will provide
information sessions to students and faculty about ways to utilize the Ottenheimer Library at the
University of Arkansas Little Rock for genealogical research. She frequently will cover
information about the US Serial Set, Department of Defense series, information about the
National Archives and Records Administration, American Memory (from the Library of
Congress), and also the U.S. Geological Survey maps. She stated that she wants to emphasize to
her patrons that there are non-traditional methods to access family history at an academic library
(personal communication, November 7, 2011) It should also be noted that academic libraries,
especially of the larger research and regional libraries are often federal depository libraries. This
means that the genealogist can frequently have access to federal records which might have
information about their various family members.
Archival Implications. Archives and archivists have more interactions with
genealogists than first expected. While this author was unable to interview an archivist, there
were several articles which related the struggles encountered when dealing with genealogists.
Genealogy, at the very core is a discipline about people. The genealogist is fascinated with
people. The archivist focuses mainly upon the physical record created by people, and therefore,
genealogists and archivists have competing interests. The genealogist has to be able to discern
what record types they need when visiting an archive, and also who created these specific
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records. Duff and Johnson (2003) relate that this is one of the most difficult aspects of
genealogical research by stating “novices must gain the knowledge of an expert and learn to
„think like a genealogist.‟ They must be able to link a request for information about an even such
as death to a variety of records, obituaries, cemetery records, and so on” (p. 91).
Thinking like a genealogist can be frustrating for the archivist, because their professional
mind is focusing on preserving the individual record rather than learning information about who
created the record. It has been further asserted, by Duff and Johnson (2003) that
“Traditionally most archivists have expressed little interest in systematically
studying how or why their patrons use archival material. However, since the
1990s, archivists have begun to focus more attention on reference service and
users, and a number of researchers have begun to study the information-seeking
behavior or archival users. (p. 79).
Since this article was written in 2003, attitudes exhibited by archivists (and also library customer
service paradigms) could possibly have changed. This would be an intriguing area to study, in
order to determine if some of these negative attitudes and stereotypes are present. Yes, these
negative ideas of genealogist and archivist interactions were prevalent back years ago, but it
would be interesting to determine if the attitudes of the archivist have changed especially about
humanization of the archive rather than merely viewing the profession in terms of records.
Special Considerations for Genealogical Research
The Reference Interview
After librarians accept that genealogical researchers are an asset to our organizations, we
need to determine how best to assist with genealogical researchers. Francis (2004) establishes
that there is a unique genealogy reference interview, which deviates from the standard reference
GENEALOGICAL REFERENCE SERVICES 17
interview in many ways, even from the very beginning of the interview when the librarian has to
ascertain if the material is being used for genealogy or is related to family history. (p. 13). Once
the nature of the transaction is determined, the trained reference librarian can follow Francis‟
steps in order to assist the patron effectively. Cassell and Hiremath (2009) establish that the
general reference interview contains the specialized steps of: “establishing rapport with the user,
negotiating the question, developing a strategy for successful research and communicating it to
the user, locating the information and evaluating it, ensuring that the question is fully
answered—the follow-up, and closing the interview” (p. 17). The genealogy reference interview
is distinct from the standard reference interview because of the aforementioned determination of
the purpose of family history research, and in determining the level of proficiency of the
researcher, not to mention the highly personal nature of genealogical research.
Francis (2004) establishes that the librarian should question the genealogist‟s level of
expertise and comfort with family research. She then asserts that the librarian should question
whether or not the patron is comfortable researching their genealogy on a computer, and if they
are not comfortable with computerized research, the librarian should offer to help the patron
begin to use the computers (p. 15). It is then suggested that the librarian should assist their
patrons with filling out the pedigree and other charts, and also should ask whether or not the
patron has been in touch with their family members to learn more about their family history
(Francis, 2004 p. 15). Librarians who assist patrons with genealogical reference questions face
more considerations than one who assists with a general reference question. Genealogical
reference questions require that the librarian conduct further investigation and digging into the
matters, rather than simply asking superficial questions. The genealogical reference interview is
time consuming, and can lead the librarian to forsake other duties in order to assist their patron.
GENEALOGICAL REFERENCE SERVICES 18
Like the in depth nature of the genealogical reference interview, librarians must familiarize
themselves with electronic resources held by their libraries and also be knowledgeable of
comprehensive resources found on the internet.
Electronic Resources
It is imperative that librarians become familiar with the specific electronic resources that
are available to genealogists. Libraries usually subscribe to comprehensive electronic resources
which can help amateur genealogists in many dynamic ways. Generally speaking, almost all
public libraries in Georgia subscribe to Ancestry Library Edition, a product produced by
Ancestry.com. Laura Carter, the Heritage Room Librarian at the Athens Regional Library,
recommends that librarians and patrons become familiar with Ancestry Library Edition, even if
they subscribe to Ancestry.com because the Library Edition allows for free access to worldwide
records (personal communication, June 2, 2011). A subscription to Ancestry.com to access
worldwide records can be cost prohibitive, but local public libraries in Georgia, and throughout
the United States often provide access to this material, therefore, there is a monetary incentive
for genealogists to use their local public libraries.
There are many internet resources to assist in genealogical research. The downside of
relying upon an internet resource for genealogical assistance is that the credibility of the resource
has to be determined by the user. One of the most reliable websites to assist in the process of
genealogical research is Cyndi‟s List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet (www.cyndislist.com).
Cyndi‟s List is wonderful for budding genealogists and librarians because it very
comprehensively catalogs thousands of links by categories that are common sense and helpful to
genealogical researchers. Internet resources are very transitory. Based on their education and
training, the librarian should be able to assist their patrons with determining which internet
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resources are quality and which resources provide information that might not be correct, or needs
further investigation or research.
Conclusion
With the aforementioned considerations in mind, it is imperative that the library create a
plan for dealing with genealogical researchers. Library staff members need to understand that
genealogical research is not interesting to everyone, but they will likely encounter genealogists
on a regular, if not daily or weekly basis. So, there should be creative solutions implemented to
provide quality genealogical reference services. Librarians, and the libraries that they work for,
can implement many creative solutions to deal with genealogists. Standardization of genealogical
reference services, especially in adherence to the genealogical reference interview, and the use of
referrals, would work especially well to assist new librarians in regards to helping genealogical
researchers. Obviously, there is not a plan that can cover every question or scenario encountered
by the librarian during genealogical research, but having this plan in place can make for a well
prepared librarian.
The library should designate a librarian to coordinate genealogical reference services.
Within the public libraries, the logical choice for this position would be the head of reference
services, or a specific local history librarian for larger libraries. Within the smaller libraries, this
person would probably be a general reference librarian or even an access services librarian. This
person can prove to be a mentor for the newer librarians who are encountering genealogical
questions in their first or new professional positions, because the librarian frequently encounters
genealogical reference questions.
If there is not an individual available to guide or mentor the new librarian, the librarian
will have to rely upon their education or training to determine the best ways to help genealogical
GENEALOGICAL REFERENCE SERVICES 20
researchers. At this point of their career, whether they are newly employed as a librarian, or if
they have changed positions, it would be beneficial for the librarian to understand the concepts of
genealogy and family history and also to understand the motivations of the genealogical
researcher.
Understanding the motivations of the genealogical researcher is crucial to the start of the
genealogical research process. The librarian should, by this time, possess knowledge of the
standard forms genealogists use, be able to provide them to the genealogist, and then assist them
in completion of the form, if necessary. The librarian should develop a toolkit of required forms
and information about referring the genealogist to other organizations. In exploration of
genealogy, the librarian will encounter organizations to which they can refer patrons. The
librarian should keep a list of these referral organizations for their reference. Referral
organizations can be on a local, statewide, or national level. Locally, the librarian can refer their
patrons to specific Courts, the local Genealogical Society, or a local branch of the Mormon
Church‟s Family History Center. Statewide, there are genealogical societies, archives,
universities and other organizations where the genealogist can locate materials about their
family‟s role in various aspects of the State. On a national level, the genealogist can be referred
to Federal Departments including the Veteran‟s Administration, the National Archives and
Records Administration to find out information about their families on a nationwide scope. It
would behoove the librarian to familiarize themselves with these organizations because their
library will often just hold a fraction of these materials.
Familiarity with genealogical research resources comes in time. The librarian will not
begin their job and automatically know the resources available, especially if they move into a
new geographic area. The librarian should utilize the resources available through various social
GENEALOGICAL REFERENCE SERVICES 21
media sites. There is a large presence of genealogists on both Twitter and Facebook, and in
various professional and private blogs. These very knowledgeable researchers frequently post
helpful hints via tweets, on their Facebook Walls, and in blog posts. These articles are
informative and frequently relate information about new strategies on how to research to
research, or provide access to sources that the librarian might not have considered before.
Genealogists of all skill levels can learn and benefit from these social media savvy genealogists
because they so often display new ways of thinking about genealogical research.
As mentioned previously, Cyndi‟s List is an excellent resource for genealogists across the
spectrum of experience. This site catalogs links based on geographic locations, so if the librarian
encounters a patron who wants to research their ancestors from a state thousands of miles away
or in a totally different geographical region, they can find information on Cyndi‟s List. Cyndi‟s
List also provides information about various ethnic groups and their individual regional ties. This
source would be great to refer patrons who needed information about a given ethnic group or
region which would be outside the spectrum of their local library or archive.
The internet is a great resource for genealogy that can be conducted remotely. Librarians
must be able to determine the veracity of information presented upon the internet, and should be
able to find documents or other information supporting these claims. However, the librarian must
understand that not all genealogy can be conducted remotely, and sometimes, it pays to network
with genealogists. When the librarian becomes involved with genealogy, they could possibly
develop an affinity for the research, and therefore, desire to network with genealogists. The
librarian should network and attend a few of these meetings in order to understand which topics
are relevant and also to understand trends in genealogical research. It is imperative for the
GENEALOGICAL REFERENCE SERVICES 22
librarian to cultivate a strong working relationship with the local genealogy organizations in
order to boost their skills and find out more about the resources available locally.
New research about genealogist and librarian interaction would be particularly helpful to
gauge satisfaction. This research should be obtained through a short questionnaire, three to five
questions long. The information gathered from this questionnaire should include the
genealogist‟s age and level of research, information about the ease or difficulty of the research
process, and suggestions for improvement on the part of the library or the librarian. It would be
intriguing to see how closely present perceptions replicate the former perceptions of both
genealogists and information professionals. Through education and training, and adherence to
national and local policies, the librarian is well prepared to assist genealogical researchers.
Librarianship, a helping profession, should embrace genealogical researchers with open arms and
form lasting relationships based upon mutual respect and esteem.
GENEALOGICAL REFERENCE SERVICES 23
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