‘Red Book’ a Guide to U.S. Records

Genealogy continues to grow in popularity as more baby boomers enter their “middle years”--when interest in family history tends to increase--so the need for reference books focusing on available sources is expanding.

Ancestry’s latest publication, “Red Book: American State, County & Town Sources,” is an updated guide to American records, providing fingertip access to the holdings of every county in this country. Accompanying all state information are splendid maps by William Dollarhide, defining county boundaries and showing county seats.

The “Introduction Chapter” by Alice Eichholz, who also edited the book, provides an overview of the types of American records used by genealogical researchers, from the more commonly known (censuses, land, probate and military) to some lesser known (tax records, church records, periodicals, newspapers, manuscript collections, archives, libraries and genealogical and historical societies).

Divided by regions (in the introduction)--New England, Mid-Atlantic, Old South, Gulf States, Frontier South, Midwest, Frontier West, West, Northwest and New States (Alaska and Hawaii)--are thousands of tips and the history of settlement of each region. This is superb American history in capsule form for all genealogists.

Additionally, there are “special focus categories” under each state. These include information about immigration, naturalization, black and American Indian records.

After the basic information pertaining to records of each state (they are arranged alphabetically, easy to locate) is listed each county of that state; the county seat and complete addresses; date the county was formed and its parent county; dates of available birth, marriage and death records, and dates and availability of land, probate and court records. These are presented in a standardized chart form for each state.

Browsing through the information on Missouri, a chapter by Marsha Hoffman Rising, one discovers the basics of Missouri history and records, including such tips as which counties in Missouri were called “Little Dixie”; researchers are likely to discover that their ancestors from these areas were of the Confederate persuasion during the Civil War. Courthouses that have suffered fires--many Missouri counties have such losses--are noted, along with the dates and special information. For example, while the McDonald County Courthouse in Pineville, Mo., burned in 1863, it is noted that deeds from before 1863 were re-created.

“Red Book” is large--786 pages and hard-bound--making it a weighty tome to carry. However, it contains so much valuable information that you will take it with you on research trips to libraries and archives. It is a must for your personal library and is available for $44.45, including shipping and handling, from Ancestry Publishing, P.O. Box 476, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110, or you may order by phone (800) 531-1790.

Myra Vanderpool Gormley is author of “Family Diseases: Are You at Risk?”, available from Genealogical Publishing Co., 1001 N. Calvert, Baltimore, Md. 21202 for $17.45 postpaid.