The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy, Revised Edition (Hardcover)

~ Sandra H. Luebking (Author)
Key Phrases: electronic family trees, indiscriminate metes, records from every county, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Genealogists and other historical researchers have valued the first two editions (1984, 1997) of this work, often referred to as "the genealogist's bible." The new edition continues that tradition, and many libraries will want to acquire it. This time around, technological advances have drastically altered genealogical research. Computers and the Internet make many sources more accessible and more easily searched, and genetic data has entered the scene.

Intended as a handbook and a guide to selecting, locating, and using appropriate primary and secondary sources, The Source also functions as an instructional tool for novice genealogists and a refresher course for experienced researchers. More than 30 experts in this field--genealogists, historians, librarians, and archivists--prepared the 20 signed chapters, which are well written, easy to read, and include many helpful hints for getting the most out of whatever information is acquired. For example, the undated photograph on page 9 of a Mexican village can be roughly dated by knowing that the volcano in the background was active for only a few years, 1943-52.

There are four new chapters: "Computers and Technology," "General Reference and Guides," "Colonial English Research," and "Colonial Spanish Borderland Research." Three chapters were rewritten ("Business, Institution and Organization Records," "Church Records," and "African-American Research"), and all of the others have been updated to reflect new sources and new techniques. Each chapter ends with an extensive bibliography and is further enriched by tables, black-and-white illustrations, and examples of documents. Eight appendixes include the expected contact information for groups and institutions that persons studying genealogy and history need to find, such as family associations, historical societies, and archives.

Any library serving patrons interested in local history or genealogy will want to add this new edition to its collection. Sally Jane
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

Now in a newly revised edition, The Source: A Guidebook Of American Genealogy continues to be the primary reference work in its field. This new edition of The Source is intended to identify and describe the rich body of original research now available, and to facilitate the use of these so that family history can be preserved and enjoyed. Every chapter in this edition has been updated and fine-tuned based on the past 14 years of continuing research and scholarship. Because of the dramatic changes that have taken place in the field of genealogical research several chapters have been completely revised and two new chapters added ("Twentieth-Century Research" and "The Foundations of Family History Research". Whether a novice genealogist just starting out, or an experienced expert with years in the field, The Source is a "must" for all personal, genealogical society, and public library collections. -- Midwest Book Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 846 pages
• Publisher: Ancestry, Inc.; Revised edition (December 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0916489671
• ISBN-13: 978-0916489670
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #819,688 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 99 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book about American Genealogy Period!, November 16, 1999

By	JWTEDDY (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews

I went through a lot of genealogy books looking for the right one to help me along on my search for my ancestors.When I hit the book THE SOURCE A GUIDEBOOK OF AMERICAN GENEALOGY, I hit paydirt. It is my bible to my geneological research. It covers every conceiveable catagory and helps the beginner as well as the pro on where to search out answers, where to get information on vital records, tracking through lineage organizations and individual chapters on select ethnic groups.One of the best chapters is on Tracking Urban Ancestors for those of us who are tracking relations who lived in big cities. This book should be on every family historians home library shelf

45 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "MUST have" for family historians!!!, September 9, 1998

By	DearMYRTLE (Bellevue, WA USA) - See all my reviews

FROM THE BOOKSHELF: THE SOURCE: A Guidebook of American Genealogy

DearREADERS, One of the most useful books for those of us starting (and continuing) to pursue our American pedigrees was revised and republished by Ancestry Publishing Company in 191997. THE SOURCE is just that, an invaluable source, referencing:

Major record sources: family, vital, census, church, court, land, tax, military, institution and business

Published genealogical sources: city directories, newspapers, genealogy indexes and compiled biographies

Special resources: tracking immigrants, urban ancestors, Native American, Spanish/Southwest, Black, Asian, Jewish-American, computers and heredity & lineage societies)

Appendices include: addresses of regional Federal Archives, state historical archives, historical societies, research libraries, "Where to Write for Vital Records..", genealogy societies and genealogy book publishers

Lou and Sandra have written some of the chapters, and have called upon other well-respected genealogy experts to compose the other chapters. This book is so big, it can be used like an encyclopedia! However, I especially like to curl up and read it when I get stuck in a rut using just one or two types of records. This book reminds me to broaden my scope of research!

Regards, Myrt

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good place to start, August 9, 2002

By	A. Y. Smittle (Winchester, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is truly a GUIDEBOOK. It will guide you through your genealogical experience. When you get frustrated, "hit a brick wall," this is a good place to go for ideas. This will tell you where and how to look up all sorts of neat stuff. Essential stuff like what are the goodies of each census, who, where and what you can find info on all the soldiers from the wars. It DOESN'T have addresses to all the places you should be writing to---it is not that detailed. This just guides you. There are other books out there that can help you with courthouse recorder, deeds, phone #'s etc. Its got completely useless chapters TO ME on urban ancestry, all minorities ancestry is covered, phone directories, yearbooks, etc. How monstrous ship records and immigration records can be! This is just a book to help you with the basics. Its a good thing to have around; if you have an exceptional memory and can remember where you can find everything and what you can get from all those sources, you probably will never need this book. But its a good thing to have around.