Helpful Books Available For All Levels

Christmas is coming - and to the lucky genealogist, that means books are coming!

Genealogists would love to find a genealogy book under the Christmas tree - or money to buy the book(s) of their choice.

Here are some new and worthwhile additions for your genealogy library:

“Evidence! Citation & Analysis for the Family Historian” is a stunning new book by Elizabeth Shown Mills. This slim book provides the family history researcher with a reliable standard for both the correct form of source citation and the sound analysis of evidence. In successful genealogical research, these two practices are inseparable, and the author’s treatment of this little-understood concept is nothing short of brilliant. The book provides a road map for the beginner and a guidepost for the advanced genealogist. $16.95, plus $3.50 postage; Genealogical Publishing Co., (800) 296-6687.

“Italian-American Family History” by Sharon Carmack is not a general genealogical how-to book, but rather focuses on evaluating familiar sources for information specific to Italian-American research. The book also hopes to help the researcher appreciate the importance of Italian-American culture. Carmack, half Italian by birth, has developed a unique approach to this kind of research, making for a most enjoyable book. $12.95, plus $3.50 postage; Genealogical Publishing Co.; (800) 296-6687.

“Tombstones: A Guide to Records, Rights and Resources for Families of American World War II Casualties,” by Ann Bennett Mix, is dedicated “to all those who died, and for those they loved.” Mix designed her book to take researchers through the process of applying for certain records, step by step. “Not only can you obtain historical documents regarding your veteran’s service, but as next of kin, you can apply for free passports, medals and certificates - which you are entitled to have,” she writes. $19.95, plus $3 postage; American Genealogical Lending Library, (800) 760-AGLL.

“Genealogical Research in Ohio,” by Kip Sperry, is a 300-page primer for those researching in the Buckeye State. Beginning with chapters on Ohio history, Sperry details the archives and libraries for the state and then identifies the major resources for a long list of specific items (such as birth and death records). He ends with multiple pages of Ohio addresses, and even includes a series of maps showing the history of the state’s settlement. $28.50, plus $3.50 postage; Genealogical Publishing Co.; (800) 296-6687.

“Your Scottish Ancestry, A Guide for North Americans,” by Sherry Irvine, focuses on creating a logical research routine for family historians living in North America - or, in other words, how to access the records of there when you live here. Irvine explains Scottish civil registration and records of the Church of Scotland, how to use the Family History Library Card Catalog to access the microfilmed Scottish records, plus much more. (I understand many records held in Edinburgh may soon be available via the Internet. This book would be a good homework assignment for using that resource.) $17.95, plus $3.50 postage, Ancestry: (800)-ANCESTRY.

These books are also available locally at Ancestors Plus, 825 W. Garland.

One More: The last Revolutionary War widow died in 1906. In 1835, at age 21, she married her veteran husband. He died in 1853 at 93 years of age, and she lived and collected his pension for 53 years.

, DataTimes MEMO: Donna Potter Phillips welcomes letters from readers. Write to her at The Spokesman-Review, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. For a response, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Donna Potter Phillips The Spokesman-Review