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Using WorldCat for Genealogy: Thinking Outside the Chart

Discover how WorldCat, a database with millions of bibliographic records, can be used to enhance genealogical research by finding books, periodicals, archival manuscripts, and more. Learn tips for locating and borrowing items, as well as expanding research to family history. Promote the value of WorldCat in genealogy classes and one-on-one situations. Overcome barriers like the misconception that everything is online and aversion to traditional research methods.

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Using WorldCat for Genealogy: Thinking Outside the Chart

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  1. Using WorldCat for Genealogy:Thinking Outside the Chart Presented by Callie B. McGinnis Dean of Libraries Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia

  2. Presentation Outline I. What is WorldCat? II. What are the basic uses of WorldCat for genealogy? III. Using WorldCat for family history • Promoting WorldCat VI. Barriers to WorldCat’s usage in genealogical/family history research

  3. First steps: Understand what WorldCat is Envision all the ways it can be used for genealogical research

  4. WorldCAT:a database containing65+ million bibliographic records contributed by over 9,000 libraries

  5. Bibliographic records for:Books Periodicals (including newspapers) AV materials Archival manuscripts Internet sites

  6. Typically,what kinds of WorldCat items would a genealogist search for?

  7. 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.

  8. Family histories

  9. County histories

  10. Extracted county records:Vital records

  11. Extracted county records:Probate records

  12. Extracted county records:Land records

  13. Extracted county records:Census records

  14. Extracted county records:Church records

  15. Extracted county records:Cemetery records

  16. Newspapers

  17. Bound newspapers

  18. Newspapers on microfilm

  19. Genealogical journals

  20. Once an item is identified, what’s next?

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

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

  23. 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

  24. Thingsto 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

  25. 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

  26. A family history includes information that “fleshes out” the pedigree chart The basic effort in family history is to put your ancestor in context

  27. Research for family history is comparable to research for any other type of history—it involves an in-depth literature search

  28. Search Worldcat for items related to a wide variety of topics in your family history

  29. The church your ancestor attended:

  30. His involvement in historic events:

  31. His occupation:

  32. His creative endeavors:

  33. Letters, diaries or other ms. items:

  34. There are many other possibilities…

  35. 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

  36. 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”

  37. 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

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