Book Report: North Carolina Research; A NGS Conference Purchase

During the recent NGS conference in Raleigh I purchased several books to further my genealogical research. Most of those books were recommended by the speakers during the sessions I attended. The speakers mentioned the books in their talks or listed them in their syllabus or both. I uncovered others during my Exhibit Hall visits. I plan to closely analyze these books over time but here is a general idea of the contents of one of those books [more to come.]

This book was first suggested by Diane L. Richard in her talk, ‘Tarheels in Your Family Tree?’ It was also suggested reading by David M. McCorkle in his talk, ‘Interpreting NC Land Records’. Jeffrey L. Haines listed this book on his syllabus for ‘North Carolina Research’. The list continues but I think you get the idea that this is a highly recommended book.

North Carolina Research

Genealogy and Local History

Second Edition

Helen F. M. Leary, Editor

Raleigh: North Carolina Genealogical Society, 1996

Research is the diligent, systematic use of available sources and reliable methods to investigate a chosen subject. The subject of historical research is a past event or a series of past events: family historians study events that affected a group of people related to each other by blood or marriage; local historians study events that affected a specific locality and its residents. In both cases, the research goal is a chronicle of the past that is as close to the truth as possible. Although the chronicles written by family and local historians will differ in format and content, the essential, underlying ingredient is always the same – accurate information. 

                                                                                     Helen F. M. Leary

Table of Contents

Part I

            Evaluating Research Data

            Designing Research Strategies

            Using Research Facilities

            Taking Notes

            Reading Handwritten Records

            Abstracting

            Mapping

            Writing Research Letters

            Using Computers

Part II

            County Records

Part III

            State Records

Part IV

            Federal Records

Part V

            Private Records

Part VI

            Oral History

            Photographs

            Artifacts

Part VII

            Appendixes

Index

Sections of this book are useful for genealogists who are researching any area of the country or world. For example, what is the difference between primary & secondary sources? What type of notes should you take for the type of research you are doing? The majority of the book focuses on North Carolina resources on the county, state & federal levels. I look forward to digging into those details. If you want to learn more about North Carolina’s resources browse through this book.

MY LIBRARY

At the top of this blog, click on My Library for many more books that I have found useful for genealogical & historical research.

 Related Posts:

• NGS Conference Day #1: Behind Every Door is a Story
• NGS Conference Day #2: A Day of Experts & Education
• NGS Conference Day #3: Technology & Treasures
• NGS Conference Day #4: Lectures & Lunch