52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS–Week #5–In the Library - Some tips from my own trips

An isle of books at the Family History Library - like a genealogy gold mine

When I think of libraries, I think of books.  And when I think of books, I smile.  I have always loved reading, studying & learning.  Much of that is done with the aid of books.  Especially back when I was young and growing up.
 
But, libraries these days are hubs of activities and technology, as well as books.

Let’s talk about the two BIG libraries in the world of genealogy.  The Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City and the Allen County Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  I’ve been to the FHL three times and each trip was wonderful.  I learned a lot and spent most of my days there on the third floor where it’s wall to wall books.  I have never had the pleasure of going to the Allen County library, but it’s on my list.

How important are libraries to our genealogical research?  VERY IMPORTANT!

Not all, or even close to all of our research can be done online.  WHAT?  Yes, it’s true.  Many millions of records and the information we seek about our ancestors is still only available with boots on the ground research.

I’ve taken several genealogy road trips.  What could be more fun?  Each time I go I visit a library or two.  I also go to historical societies, but that’s for another blog post.

Let’s review where I’ve gone and what libraries I’ve visited:

• Beginning here at home I often visit the Carlsbad Library or the
• San Diego Public Library downtown, which holds all the genealogical books and materials from the San Diego Genealogical Society
• Macomb County, Michigan – Mt. Clemens Library
• Richmond, Virginia – The Richmond Public Library
• Cabell County, West Virginia – the Marshall Library
• Lawrence County, Ohio – The Briggs Library
• Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Public Library

When you visit a library, always try to have a plan. 

• What are you looking for?
• Who do you need information on?
• What does this library offer?  Search their card catalog before you go
• Take your laptop, tablet, smart phone and camera
• Clothes pins to hold books open

I prefer to take photos of books with my camera. It’s actually quicker for me and more reliable, less chances of blurring than with my iPad or iPhone.  I have a Canon Sure Shot and it has served me well.

Here’s a screen shot of some of the items from a trip to the FHL in June 2015. Remember to always FIRST photograph the title page and/or the copyright page if they are on two different pages. Then you will know exactly which book your images came from.

This is what your images will look like.  I transfer them to my computer from my camera card, each day.  After they are transferred I crop and straighten or enhance them as needed.

Take advantage of the local histories that may be on file at the libraries. Also check for city directories for that location.  Use the microfilm readers to view items that may not be available online.  Especially local newspapers.
 
Ask questions of staff, as they can be a wealth of information.
Have fun and enjoy.  I can literally get lost in libraries for hours on end.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST

BOOKS - Why We Still Need Them - Which Ones Are in Your Library?

MY BIGGEST LIBRARY FIND EVER - The real name of my husband's great grandfather!

Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2019   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

TREASURE CHEST THURSDAY ~ Baptismal record for Abraham Rosett–1728

Today I’m highlighting a record I located on my first trip to the Family History Library, in June 2011.
 
The record was located in The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, July 1928, page 42.



Transcription: 1728 Aug 11 Roset, David and Tryntje Spyr – Abraham. Wit: Johannes Spry; Sara Wouterse.

Also on this page is the baptismal record of my husband’s 5th great granduncle, Johannes Kip.

I located this publication and photographed several pages.  I was at the library for 5 days and took over 500 photographs of books, publications and other data during that first visit to the FHL.
 
TIP: I prefer to use a camera to capture any data I find.  It’s quick & efficient and allows you to see if there was any error in the image when it was taken.  I take along clothes pins to hold book pages open.  I find this method works better for me, than hand held scanners, copy machines or using phones or tablets.

These types of publications can contain many wonderful references to records.
 
Do we still need to try to find the original record? YES.  But, this certainly points us in the right direction.

WHO IS ABRAHAM ROSETT/ROSET?

He is my husband’s 5th great grandfather.

1. Abraham Rosett ²Aug 1728 – 6 Jan 1775 married Catherine Kip on 13 Apr 1752.  She was born 8 Mar 1728/30 and died circa 1761.

2. David Rosett/Rosette 21 Dec 1754 – ¹28 Apr 1819 married Lydia Bailey May 1779. Lydia was born about 1760 and died 23 Dec 1842.

3. Dr. Abraham Rosette 29 Jul 1780 – 8 Apr 1815 married Susan Boylston on 30 May 1804.  Susan was born about 1783 and died 23 Apr 1847.

4. Almira Rosette about 1806 – Sep 1858 married Rev. George Hall on 11 Mar 1834.  Rev. George Hall was born ³4 Jun 1804 and died ^3,44 Sep 1878.

5. Thomas Cornelius Hall ⁵1845 – ⁵18 Jan 1897 married Cora E. Brown 1875-1878.  Cora was born 3 Aug 1854 and died 9 Sep 1933.

6.  Charles Schuyler Hall 5 Mar 1878 – 25 Mar 1953 married Daisy Fern Bright on 15 Oct 1903. Daisy was born 19 Apr 1882 and died 23 Oct 1953.

7. Gordon Charles Hall 29 Jul 1917 – 12 Jan 1966 married Dorothy Beatrice Fink on 22 Aug 1948.  Dorothy was born 7 Nov 1913 and died 6 Oct 1993 (23 years ago today).

8.  My husband

Don’t overlook newsletters and other publications when you are visiting any library or other repository.  They could be the key to finding those records you need.

Some sources used for the information contained in this post include: 1. Ancestry.com. U.S., Newspaper Extractions from the Northeast, 1704-1930 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. This collection was indexed by Ancestry World Archives Project contributors.  2. New York   Film Number 974.7 B2N V. 90-93:   Abraham Rosett; digital image,  "New York, Births & Christenings, 1640-1962," (www.familysearch.org: 7 May 2012).  3.  Necrological Report Alumni Assoc. of Princeton Theological Seminary 1879.  4. Minsterial Directory of the Presbyterian Church 1861-1941.  5. Register of Death-Village of Saratoga Springs, NY.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST
     
TOMBSTONE TUESDAY - Abraham & Susan Rosette - died 1815 & 1847

TREASURE CHEST THURSDAY - The actual church record for the marriage of Jeremiah Hall & Elizabeth Bailey 22 Dec 1748

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2016   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

BOOKS–WHY WE STILL NEED THEM–WHICH ONES ARE IN YOUR LIBRARY?

In this day & age we have so many electronic devices at our disposal.  Just in our home we have the following list of electronic devices:

• HP desktop computer with dual monitors (my genealogy central)
• Toshiba laptop – mine, to take on trips and to libraries
• Toshiba laptop – my husband’s computer, so he doesn’t have to fight with me for the desktop.  LOL!
• An iPad which I use all the time
• A Samsung tablet for my husband
• Kindle paperwhite – for my reading
• 2 iPhones
• Garmin - to take on trips when we rent cars

Have I forgotten anything?  I don’t think so.

With all of the millions and millions of records currently online and coming online all the time, do we still even need books?

The answer is a resounding YES!

Because, until every single book, in every repository around the globe has been scanned, we will be missing out, if we don’t use books.

• What’s in your library?
• Do you buy books?  If so, how often?
• Do you borrow books?
• Do you download books from the internet?  Or, read them online?
• Do you go to libraries?

I have always been a book lover.  I’ve been an avid reader from the time I learned to read.  That gene was handed down from my mother and grandmother, who are & were avid readers.

There are copyright & public domain laws in place that will tell us which books might be available online.  Please see my reference below for more information about that subject.

For my purposes, I make it easy and remember the 1923 rule about works prior to that, first registered or published in the United States are now in public domain.

Date of Publication6	Conditions7	Copyright Term3
Before 1923	None	None. In the public domain due to copyright expiration

That means that for any book published before 1923 (depending on the circumstances regarding publishing), we may have to access online.  This would all depend on whether the book has been scanned & put online.

I am certainly not a lawyer or professional when it comes to all of these laws.  There is another blogger, Judy G. Russell, who writes a blog called “The Legal Genealogist” http://www.legalgenealogist.com/  If you have questions I would refer you to her site.  She has already written several blogs about copyright and would certainly know more than I do.  

Now back to books.  When I first began, in earnest, to research our families I couldn’t read enough about genealogy.   I “needed” to know and I was determined to learn.  In addition to subscribing to every magazine being published back in 2003, I bought books that would help me learn to be a good researcher.  

You can begin using your genealogy database and finding records on Ancestry, Family Search, FindAGrave etc.  But, I wanted to know what to do with those records, how to use them, what else is out there?  Now, we have webinars, YouTube, blogs and tutorials of all kinds right online.  

BUT, you aren’t  likely to find your ancestor’s stories on those sites. A reference or historical book about local history in the area your ancestor lived, will be much more likely to result in those great finds for your ancestor.

I guess the bottom line of what I’m saying here is, don’t dismiss books as resources, in spite of all that we have available online. 

• Go to libraries
• When you are on those genealogy trips, go to the local historical society, library or genealogy society and see what books they have available for reading or purchasing.  I’ve also found books about my ancestors at local bookstores in small towns.
• Check on various websites that offer genealogy books, such as

                - Amazon.com
                - eBay
                - Genealogical.com
               - Google books

I have found wonderful stories about my ancestors and my husbands, that give insight to their lives.  I’ve found names of parents, children & siblings listed.  

Examples of the what I’ve found in books about our family

(Enlarge any image by clicking on it)

Excerpt from The Journal of Abner Sanger with several references to my husband's family

Excerpt from The History of Lawrence County, Ohio Volume I about a Kimball ancestor on my side

Excerpt from The History of Keene, New Hampshire about my husband's ancestor

           

Please see a list of the books contained in my personal library by going to the “Books I Own”  (click on link or go to tab at the top of my blog page)

Here is a reference to the copyright and public domain laws:

Copyright & Public Domain in the United States

We do have access to thousands or millions of books online. They can be read online or downloaded to our computers. But, we need to know which books are in the public domain and available for us.

Here are the current public domain laws as posted on 1 January 2014 at http://copyright.cornell.edu/resources/publicdomain.cfm

Never Published, Never Registered Works2
Type of Work	Copyright Term	What was in the public domain in the U.S. as of 1 January 20143
Unpublished works	Life of the author + 70 years	Works from authors who died before 1944
Unpublished anonymous and pseudonymous works, and works made for hire (corporate authorship)	120 years from date of creation	Works created before 1894
Unpublished works when the death date of the author is not known4	120 years from date of creation5	Works created before 18945
Works Registered or First Published in the U.S.
Date of Publication6	Conditions7	Copyright Term3
Before 1923	None	None. In the public domain due to copyright expiration
1923 through 1977	Published without a copyright notice	None. In the public domain due to failure to comply with required formalities
1978 to 1 March 1989	Published without notice, and without subsequent registration within 5 years	None. In the public domain due to failure to comply with required formalities
1978 to 1 March 1989	Published without notice, but with subsequent registration within 5 years	70 years after the death of author. If a work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first
1923 through 1963	Published with notice but copyright was not renewed8	None. In the public domain due to copyright expiration
1923 through 1963	Published with notice and the copyright was renewed8	95 years after publication date
1964 through 1977	Published with notice	95 years after publication date
1978 to 1 March 1989	Created after 1977 and published with notice	70 years after the death of author. If a work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first
1978 to 1 March 1989	Created before 1978 and first published with notice in the specified period	The greater of the term specified in the previous entry or 31 December 2047
From 1 March 1989 through 2002	Created after 1977	70 years after the death of author. If a work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first
From 1 March 1989 through 2002	Created before 1978 and first published in this period	The greater of the term specified in the previous entry or 31 December 2047
After 2002	None	70 years after the death of author. If a work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first
Anytime	Works prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person's official duties. 21	None. In the public domain in the United States (17 U.S.C. § 105)
Works First Published Outside the U.S. by Foreign Nationals or U.S. Citizens Living Abroad9
Date of Publication	Conditions	Copyright Term in the United States
Before 1923	None	In the public domain (But see first special case below)
Works Published Abroad Before 197810
1923 through 1977	Published without compliance with US formalities, and in the public domain in its source country as of 1 January 1996 (but see special cases) 20	In the public domain
1923 through 1977	Published in compliance with all US formalities (i.e., notice, renewal)11	95 years after publication date
1923 through 1977	Solely published abroad, without compliance with US formalities or republication in the US, and not in the public domain in its home country as of 1 January 1996 (but see special cases)	95 years after publication date
1923 through 1977	Published in the US less than 30 days after publication abroad	Use the US publication chart to determine duration
1923 through 1977	Published in the US more than 30 days after publication abroad, without compliance with US formalities, and not in the public domain in its home country as of 1 January 1996 (but see special cases)	95 years after publication date
Works Published Abroad After 1 January 1978
1 January 1978 - 1 March 1989	Published without copyright notice, and in the public domain in its source country as of 1 January 1996 (but see special cases)20	In the public domain
1 January 1978 - 1 March 1989	Published without copyright notice in a country that is a signatory to the Berne Convention and is not in the public domain in its source country as of 1 January 1996 (but see special cases) 20	70 years after the death of author, or if work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication
1 January 1978 - 1 March 1989	Published with copyright notice by a non-US citizen in a country that was party to the Universal Copyright Convention (UCC)	70 years after the death of author, or if work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication
After 1 March 1989	Published in a country that is a signatory to the Berne Convention	70 years after the death of author, or if work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication
After 1 March 1989	Published in a country with which the United States does not have copyright relations under a treaty	In the public domain
Special Cases
1 July 1909 through 1978	In Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands ONLY. Published in a language other than English, and without subsequent republication with a copyright notice12	Treat as an unpublished work until such date as first US-compliant publication occurred
Prior to 27 May 1973	Published by a national of Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan in either country19	In the public domain
After 26 May 1973	Published by a national of Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan in either country19	May be protected under the UCC
Anytime	Created by a resident of Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, or San Marino, and published in one of these countries13	Not protected by US copyright law until they become party to bilateral or international copyright agreements
Anytime	Works whose copyright was once owned or administered by the Alien Property Custodian, and whose copyright, if restored, would as of January 1, 1996, be owned by a government14	Not protected by US copyright law
Anytime	If published in one of the following countries, the 1 January 1996 date given above is replaced by the date of the country's membership in the Berne Convention or the World Trade Organization, whichever is earlier: Andorra, Angola, Armenia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Comoros, Jordan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Micronesia, Montenegro, Nepal, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tonga, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen

Go and take advantage of the wealth of history and genealogical information about your ancestors by finding those books that make reference to them.

And, learn more about finding your ancestors by reading books about research.

As always, happy hunting,

Michigan Girl,

Copyright ©  2014   Diane Gould Hall