Evidence Explained:Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace 2nd Edition [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Shown Mills (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0806318066 | ISBN-13: 978-0806318066 | Edition: 2nd

Following its enthusiastic reception in 2007, we are pleased to announce a new edition of what is now the definitive guide to the citation and analysis of historical sources, a guide so thorough that it leaves nothing to chance, whether you want a podcast or a census record. The new second edition of Evidence Explained includes updates to numerous websites, new models for electronic sources such as blogs and online forums, and new model citations to traditional and non-traditional genealogical sources, thus continuing its role as the single-most comprehensive style manual for genealogical writing and publishing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...A key resource guide for scholars and serious researchers who must rely upon and understand historical evidence....Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above"--CHOICE (March 2008). --CHOICE (March 2008)

"...A key resource guide for scholars and serious researchers who must rely upon and understand historical evidence....Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above"--CHOICE (March 2008). --CHOICE (March 2008)

"...more than 1,000 citation models covering print, microfilm, microfiche, Web sites, digital books and journals, DVDs, CDs, audio files, podcasts, and e-zines...an excellent purchase for academic and larger public libraries."--BOOKLIST. --Booklist

"This is an essential resource for family historians; highly recommended for all libraries."--LIBRARY JOURNAL (November 2007). --LIBRARY JOURNAL (November 2007)

"...more than 1,000 citation models covering print, microfilm, microfiche, Web sites, digital books and journals, DVDs, CDs, audio files, podcasts, and e-zines...an excellent purchase for academic and larger public libraries."--BOOKLIST. --Booklist

"...A key resource guide for scholars and serious researchers who must rely upon and understand historical evidence....Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above"--CHOICE (March 2008). --CHOICE (March 2008)

"...more than 1,000 citation models covering print, microfilm, microfiche, Web sites, digital books and journals, DVDs, CDs, audio files, podcasts, and e-zines...an excellent purchase for academic and larger public libraries."--BOOKLIST. --Booklist

About the Author

Elizabeth Shown Mills is a historical writer with decades of research experience in public and private records of many Western nations. Published widely in academic and popular presses Mills edited a national-level scholarly journal for sixteen years, taught for thirteen years at a National Archives-based institute on archival records and, for twenty years, has headed a university-based program in advanced research methodology. Mills knows records, loves records, and regularly shares her expertise in them with live and media audiences across three continents.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 885 pages
• Publisher: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc.; 2nd edition (October 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806318066
• ISBN-13: 978-0806318066
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Education & Reference > Genealogy
  • #29 in Books > History > Historical Study & Educational Resources > Historiography

More About the Author

Elizabeth Shown Mills is an internationally acclaimed historical researcher and writer who has spent her life studying American culture and the relationships between people--emotional as well as genetic. Featured on BBC, CNN, PBS, and other networks in the U.S., U.K., and Australia, she has been widely cited as "the genealogist who has had the most influence in the post-Roots era."

Her 13 prize-winning books range from reference works such as "Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace" (Library Journal 2007 Best Reference) to the historical novel, "Isle of Canes," which chronicles a family of freed slaves across four generations, and is drawn from Mills's own research in the archives of six nations.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Long overdue and important book for genealogists December 18, 2009

By BookMan VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources . . . is, arguably, one of the most important works that any genealogy buff should have on his/her bookshelf. Citing sources consistently and meaningfully is the single most important criteria by which a family history is judged and failure to properly document these sources not only completely invalidates many family histories (as they cannot be viewed with confidence) but is quickly recognized by others who are searching for the same ancestors. Without question, my criticisms of genealogical research have focused on the shoddy and haphazard approach that genealogists (including hobbyists) have had to use because there simply have been no standards for doing so. This is something that I've struggled with, over the past twenty years myself - I've used Richard Lackey's now very outdated "Cite your sources: a manual for documenting family histories and genealogical records" (copyright 1980) when I first published my own family history well over a decade ago and have since howled in dismay at the lack of standardization for citing sources in essentially all of the software applications created since then (RootsMagic 4 appears to be the first to address this problem in their latest program). This has caused me considerable grief whenever I've tried to update my own databases.

Evidence Explained (second edition - I don't own the first) has done an exceptional job in providing a strong starting ground for the standardization of genealogical citation practices and provides a nearly encyclopedic approach in covering the topic. While genealogical citation practices are still developing, Elizabeth Mills has created an exemplary work on the topic - this book is long, long overdue. Fortunately, she has also addressed one of the most difficult tasks that has developed over the past ten to fifteen years - the need to document electronic sources - and she has done a splendid job.

Perhaps my only criticism (so far) is that this book attempts to draw attention away from genealogy by proclaiming that is is focused on citing "history sources" - sure, genealogy should be taken seriously but it should not try to piggyback on other disciplines (such as history and the social sciences); rather, it seek recognition as it's own unique topic worthy of study. I also couldn't help but notice that the bibliography cites references to other widely used citation formats (most notably the Chicago Manual of Style and the Modern Language Association of America) but ignores one of the most widely styles used by those in the social sciences - that of the American Psychological Association. Just the same, this is not a problem but is worthy of note.

At the moment, I believe that this book is exemplary and finally provides a rock solid foundation upon which citing sources in genealogical research has desperately needed for so long. At last, genealogists have a valid model upon which to guide the most important component of creating family histories - documenting sources. Anyone compiling a genealogy needs to buy this book NOW, and strive to use it.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for publishing family history March 15, 2010

By Maggie McDade

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Evidence Explained is just that - evidence explained. For a family historian or genealogist who wishes to be taken seriously, citing each and every fact is critical. But with so many obscure sources, using a handbook for writing just is not enough. Having taught college students how to cite sources for various disciplines, I thought citing genealogy sources would be a cinch...right? Not so much. Really, how do you cite a probate record or a copy of a probate record, or even a digital copy of the probate record taken from a database??? This book offers standards and expectation on citation in general, quick reference guides, and the details and examples to get it right. A real must for family historians and genealogists.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Replete with citation models of American and international documents January 16, 2010

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Hardcover

Now in a newly updated and significantly expanded second edition, "Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace" by archival and genealogical expert Elizabeth Shown Mills has brought this core instructional reference fully into the cutting edge of research resources by including a wealth of thematically appropriate web sites, as well as the incorporation of blogs and online discussion groups germane to locating and evaluating historical sources of information and evidence. Of special note is the practical and insightful commentary on evaluating source material credibility and reliability. Replete with citation models of American and international documents, "Evidence Explained" is an ideal as a curriculum text and highly recommended as a core addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Historical Research reference collections in general, and Genealogical Research supplemental reading lists in particular.