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After the last few weeks of
columns about frequently asked questions at The Odom Library, a friend of
mine came in and asked, "Beth, I found a long-searched-for document but I
don't understand it. What do I do?"
This has happened to me (As has very genealogical disaster possible!) and
the things I do are to:
* Read the document slowly and out loud.
* Type the document
* Ask someone else to look at the document and repeat the steps above
* Read the entire document. Read every single word.
* Have you read the document from the end to the beginning?
* Be sure you have the entire document.
* Be sure it is the original document and not an incomplete transcription
or an abstract.
Does everyone know about surname publications? A surname publication is
simply a newsletter that uses for subject matter information and news
about a particular name. I have The Friend Family Association of America
publication in front of me at this moment. It's full of interesting
information, news, notices and family happenings.
You can visit The Odom Library and look in our vertical files to see if we
have copies of your own surname publication. If we don't, we do have
copies of The Genealogical Helper. The "Helper" frequently lists all the
surname organizations in this country.
Somewhere there's someone else working on YOUR family. Surname
publications are a super way to make contact with those who are interested
in your surnames. Usually, you are afforded the opportunity to publish
free queries in these publications when you subscribe. They are a bargain,
fun to read and very helpful.
Oh, if you happen to be a member of the "Friend" family, you may write L.
Carlos Friend, 6020 High Jackson Rd., Rt. 2, Charlestown, IN 47111. Dues
are $18 a year.
The other genealogical "secret" is the existence of genealogical societies
and historical societies in just about every town and in every single area
of our country! We always recommend that you join your society in the area
of your interest.
My mother's family comes from Madison County, Florida - so, I'm always
sure to be a member of anything going on genealogically down there!
See? You can find the addresses and information about societies and groups
where YOUR family comes from the same way as for the surname associations
and publications. Just come to The Odom Library and ask to see the
directory issues of The Genealogical Helper and also check out our
vertical file.
Because of The Family Tree, we have one of the best collections of
periodicals and publications from surname and historical and genealogical
organizations.
Do you get The Family Tree? Published by The Ellen Payne Odom Genealogical
Library right here in Moultrie, The Family Tree is the largest
genealogical publication in the world - and, the largest Scottish
publication in the world outside Scotland - although there is news and
information about many other ethnicities within its pages.
Come by the library in Moultrie and pick up a free copy of the
publication. If you would like to be on the mailing list, it's very easy
to be added. Just give your name and address to Irene Godwin, Ann Glass,
Monique Green or Katherine Bryant in the genealogy library...or, to any of
the ladies at the front desk of the public library. There is no charge for
The Family Tree, but postage contributions of at least $6.00 are much
appreciated.
Published six times a year, The Family Tree is a tabloid newspaper of
between 48 - 64 pages in two sections. |
