New Sources for Amateur Genealogist

Some recently published books to help you in your genealogical research are:

“800 Missouri Families,” (Volume 1) by Don Vincent (from the author, 10223 Meridian East, B212, Puyallup, Wash. 98373, $28 ppd.). This is the first in a series of five about the early families of south-central Missouri. The devastating fire at the courthouse in Waynesville, which burned all of original Pulaski County’s records except for a few early probate records, has long stymied researchers.

This volume contains a documented list of 140 families who migrated from East Tennessee to the Missouri counties of Pulaski, Laclede, Webster, Wright, Texas, Phelps, Maries, Osage, Camden and Miller between 1820-1860. A section of Pulaski County’s (the parent county of these 10) original census of 1840 is studied in detail, dealing in depth with about one-third of the families. Additionally, this census is restructured to show neighbors. This is a valuable new source for genealogists faced with researching families who settled in this area, for a surprising number of these families can trace their roots directly back to soldiers of the Revolutionary War.

“Eight British Research Guides” by Jeremy Gibson (Genealogical Publishing Co., 1001 N. Calvert, Baltimore, Md. 21202, $46.25 ppd., for the set or individually priced as indicated). These outstanding guides provide some of the most important sources for obtaining information about British ancestors.

“Local Newspapers, 1750-1920 in England and Wales, Channel Islands, Isle of Man. A Select Location List,” ($8.75); “Unpublished Personal Name Indexes in Record Offices and Libraries in Great Britain,” ($7.25); “Census Returns 1841-1881 on Microfilm. A Directory to Local Holdings in Great Britain,” ($8.25); “Quarter Sessions Records in England and Wales. A Select List,” ($6.25); “Marriage, Census and Other Indexes in Great Britain,” ($7.75); “Record Offices in England and Wales: How to Find Them,” ($8.25); “Probate Jurisdictions in Great Britain and Ireland,” ($8.75); and “Bishops’ Transcripts and Marriage Licenses in England, Wales, and Ireland,” ($6.25).

“Marriage and Death Notices from Columbia, South Carolina, Newspapers, 1838-1860,” by Brent Howard Holcomb, C.G. (from the author, Box 21766, Columbia, S.C. 29221, $36.75 ppd.). These notices cover most of South Carolina, but particularly the districts of Richland, Orangeburg, Lexington, Newberry, Fairfield and Chester. These transcriptions and/or abstracts were obtained from various newspapers, primarily from “The South Carolinian,” “The Southern Chronicle” and “The South Carolina Temperance Advocate.” Rich in genealogical information, this new book will aid many researchers seeking data about their Southern families.

“NGS Library Book List” by National Genealogical Society (4527 17th St. N., Arlington, Va. 22207-2399, $18.50 ppd. for non-members; $10 for members). This book is used by NGS members to borrow books through the mail from the NGS Library. It is an excellent reference book in itself, used by many genealogists as a bibliography.

“Saint-Domingue, 1688-1720, Census Records and Military Lists” by Winston De Ville (Ramona A. Smith, P.O. Box 894, Ville Platte, La. 70586, $15 ppd.). This 55-page paperback contains eight lists from heretofore unpublished records in French archives. The index guides researchers to more than 900 names of some of the earliest Frenchmen in the New World.