Libraries are a source for local publications
Published Saturday October 11th, 2008
It took a few years, but eventually I realized my local library was an excellent source of information to complement my research at the public archives. Previously, I believed the archives were the only place where important records pertaining to individual families were available.
Although I had used the library for many years, it wasn't until I went searching for a particular genealogy book that I discovered the local history books, booklets and other material concerning my specific area. The majority of the local history books were written by local authors. Some were thick books printed by publishing companies in Atlantic Canada. Guesstimating, I would say anywhere from 500 or more copies were printed of each.
Some books were unique. They were obviously published by small printing presses or self-published by the authors. The print runs were probably small, too, consisting of only a hundred or so copies. In some instances, these books proved more valuable than the ones published by the large publishing companies because they were not written for profit, but to pass on intimate information. These books contained more details on individuals who made up a community. They included stories and genealogical data for the common person.
Libraries have become the guardians of their communities' printed history. Along with books, they usually have copies of the local newspaper(s) published over the years. The unfortunate thing is that if you don't live near the community in which you are researching, you'll have a hard time finding these printed treasures at your library.
It goes without saying that large populated areas have more resources and space to obtain and store material than smaller populated areas. Larger libraries borrow or copy frequently requested records and microfilm from local archives to make it more convenient for researchers.
About 20 years ago, I visited our city library and requesting a 30-year-old newspaper. The librarian took me to a small room where all the newspapers collected over the years were stored. She pulled from the files the actual newspaper. I went through the paper as if it were today's edition. Except I took care turning the pages because I respected the fact the paper was there for researchers and had been gently handled over the years. Today, I can't imagine doing the same thing. Almost everything of this nature is on microfilm at the library and archives.
Libraries are not created equal. Some are better funded, but most have dedicated staff. Citizens also play a role by donating books and other printed material to the library for their safe-keeping and to make them available to researchers.
In this Internet age, it is possible to virtually visit libraries (NB Free Public Library: http://www.nbfpl.org/) and browse their collections. In many instances, books (if not reference material) can be lent to another library in the same province. This allows the researcher to borrow that book from their own library.
If you haven't fully explored your local library, it's time to take your research to the next step.
Researcher's File
Seeking information on Bailey family. Mary Bailey (born 1793, Saint John) married Edward Phillips (alias Alexander Pride) on Feb. 14, 1815 at Majorville. Mary's father, James, a minister, was born March 23, 1891 at Lincoln, N.B. and died in 1870 in N.B. Contact: Marcia Phillips Locher, PO Box 680 Merlin, OR 97532-0680 USA; email: honeypiedog@hotmail.com
* Diana Lynn Tibert is a freelance writer living in Milford, NS. Submit a query. It's free!: RR#1 Milford, Hants County, NS, B0N 1Y0; email: tibert@ns.sympatico.ca
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