Find Millions of Genealogy Clues with This Free Website
TLDRThe video script discusses the invaluable resource PERSI, the Periodical Source Index, for genealogy enthusiasts. It is a free tool created by the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Indiana, which is renowned for its extensive collection of genealogy and local history periodicals. PERSI serves as a subject index to these periodicals, which contain unique articles not found on major genealogy websites. The speaker guides viewers on how to effectively use PERSI to search for surnames, locations, research techniques, and specific keywords within article titles. The script also explains that PERSI is not an every-name index, emphasizing the importance of thinking about topics when searching. It demonstrates various search techniques, including sorting and narrowing results, and provides tips for obtaining the articles found. The speaker also highlights the resource's ability to locate articles from a wide range of geographical locations, including the United States, Canada, the British Isles, and even Antarctica. Finally, the script offers advice on how to access the full articles, either by contacting publishers, visiting libraries, or ordering copies through the Genealogy Center.
Takeaways
- 📚 PERSI, the Periodical Source Index, is a free resource for genealogy and local history research, created by the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Indiana.
- 🏛 The Genealogy Center holds the largest genealogy collection in a public library in the United States, making it a significant source for PERSI's content.
- 📰 PERSI indexes articles from various periodicals such as newsletters, journals, and quarterlies, which often contain unique information not found on major genealogy websites.
- 🔍 PERSI is a subject index, not an every-name index, so searching for a surname will find articles about that family, but not mentions of the name within an article.
- 🔑 To effectively use PERSI, consider searching by topics, locations, research techniques, and article title keywords.
- 🖥 The PERSI homepage allows users to search by surname, location, research technique articles, and article title keyword, with options to sort and refine search results.
- 🔍 Searching for family records like a family Bible can be done by entering the subject of interest in the Article Title field.
- 📉 PERSI does not account for variant spellings, so conducting alternative spelling searches can yield different results.
- 📍 Location searches in PERSI are powerful and allow for drilling down by country, state, province, county, and even specific towns or cities.
- 🏢 For articles of interest, one can contact the publisher, visit the Genealogy Center, or order copies directly through the center's order form.
- 🌐 PERSI's search functionality and the Genealogy Center's resources make it a valuable tool for genealogists, even for those researching ancestors from various parts of the world.
Q & A
What does PERSI stand for?
-PERSI stands for the Periodical Source Index, which is a subject index for genealogy and local history periodicals.
Where is the Genealogy Center that compiles PERSI located?
-The Genealogy Center that compiles PERSI is located at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
What type of resources can you find in PERSI that you might not find on major genealogy websites?
-PERSI contains articles from newsletters, journals, and quarterlies that are invaluable to genealogy research and may not be available on major genealogy websites like Ancestry or FamilySearch.
How does PERSI categorize its indexed articles?
-PERSI categorizes its indexed articles as a subject index, not an every-name index, meaning articles are indexed under broader topics like 'civil war' or 'military' rather than individual names.
What are some ways to search PERSI?
-PERSI can be searched by surname, location, research technique articles, and by article title keyword.
How can you find articles about a specific family or family Bible in PERSI?
-You can find articles about a specific family or family Bible in PERSI by searching under the surname of the family.
What is a limitation of PERSI when it comes to searching for surnames?
-PERSI does not look for variant spellings of surnames, so if you search for a surname spelled one way, it won't return results for articles with a different spelling of the same name.
How can you obtain a copy of an article found in PERSI?
-You can obtain a copy of an article found in PERSI by contacting the publisher, checking if the periodical is in a nearby library, visiting the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library, or ordering copies directly through the Genealogy Center.
What is the maximum number of articles you can request per order form through the Genealogy Center?
-As of the time of the script recording, you can request up to six articles per order form through the Genealogy Center.
How can you narrow down your search results in PERSI by location?
-You can narrow down your search results in PERSI by location by using the two-letter postal code abbreviation for US states or the three-letter code for different countries in the article title search field.
What is a useful feature of PERSI for genealogy research?
-A useful feature of PERSI for genealogy research is the ability to search by location, which allows you to find articles relevant to specific counties, states, or countries.
How does PERSI help with genealogy research beyond what is available on major genealogy websites?
-PERSI helps with genealogy research by providing access to articles in periodicals such as newsletters and journals that may not be available on major genealogy websites, thus offering unique and valuable information for researchers.
Outlines
😀 Discovering Hidden Genealogical Treasures with PERSI
The first paragraph introduces the concept of a distant cousin holding the key to breaking through a genealogical research barrier, such as a family Bible. It emphasizes the importance of being aware of various genealogical resources, including newsletters from genealogical societies that may contain valuable information not found on major genealogy websites. The Periodical Source Index (PERSI) is introduced as a free tool created by the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Indiana, which is renowned for its extensive collection of genealogical periodicals. PERSI serves as a subject index to these periodicals, making it easier for researchers to find relevant articles that can aid in their family history research. The paragraph also clarifies that PERSI is not an every-name index but rather focuses on topics, and it guides on how to use PERSI effectively, including searching by surname, location, research technique articles, and article title keywords.
🔍 Mastering PERSI Search Techniques for Genealogical Research
The second paragraph delves into the practical aspects of using PERSI, discussing how to perform searches by surname and location, with a focus on the importance of considering topics rather than individual names. It also addresses the limitation of PERSI in not identifying variant spellings and suggests strategies for refining search results, such as using postal code abbreviations for locations and focusing on specific states or counties. The paragraph further illustrates how to navigate the results page, sort entries, and use the search fields within the results to target specific interests like family Bibles. It also highlights the value of PERSI in uncovering unexpected resources, such as articles published by organizations in different states or countries.
🌍 Exploring PERSI's International Genealogical Resources
The third paragraph expands on the geographical scope of PERSI, showcasing its capability to search for genealogical articles beyond the United States, including Canada, the British Isles, and other countries. It details the process of narrowing down searches to specific provinces, counties, or towns, and demonstrates how to focus on particular subjects like cemeteries or church records. The paragraph also touches on the unique feature of searching for articles by article title keyword, which is particularly useful for broader topics that are not confined to specific locations. Additionally, it provides insights into how to obtain the articles found through PERSI, suggesting contacting publishers, visiting libraries, or ordering copies through the Genealogy Center.
🎉 Embracing PERSI as an Essential Genealogy Research Tool
The fourth and final paragraph reinforces PERSI's value as a favored resource for genealogical research, even though it may be less known or utilized by some researchers. It encourages viewers to explore additional websites that could be beneficial for their genealogical journey, as presented in another video. The paragraph concludes with well wishes for successful and enjoyable research endeavors.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Genealogy
💡Brick wall
💡PERSI
💡Genealogy Center
💡Surname search
💡Article Title Search
💡Location search
💡Research techniques
💡Obtaining articles
💡False hits
💡Variant spellings
Highlights
A distant cousin possessing the family Bible could potentially break down a genealogy research barrier.
Unawareness of a cousin's existence or a genealogy society's newsletter could lead to missed opportunities in genealogical research.
PERSI, the Periodical Source Index, is a free resource for finding genealogy and local history periodicals.
PERSI is maintained by the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library, which houses the largest genealogy collection in the U.S.
Articles in genealogy periodicals are unique and not found on major genealogy websites like Ancestry or FamilySearch.
PERSI is a subject index, not an every-name index, which means it categorizes articles by topics rather than individual names.
Searching PERSI by surname will yield articles about families with that surname, not just casual mentions.
The PERSI homepage allows searching by surname, location, research technique articles, and article title keyword.
Results from a surname search in PERSI include the article title, periodical, volume and issue number, call number, publication year, and publisher.
PERSI enables sorting of results by article title, periodical, or other column headings.
Using the Article Title field to search for specific words, like 'Bible', can help narrow down results to relevant genealogy records.
PERSI can uncover resources in unexpected places, such as articles about a family from one state published by an organization in another.
PERSI does not account for variant spellings, so searching for different spellings of a surname can yield more results.
Location searches in PERSI can be narrowed down to specific states, counties, or even towns for more focused results.
Research technique articles in PERSI can provide valuable how-to guides and real examples for genealogical research.
Location searches are a powerful feature of PERSI, offering a way to find articles about specific geographical areas.
PERSI's international scope includes searches for the British Isles and other countries, with options to narrow down to specific regions or cities.
Once articles of interest are found in PERSI, they can be obtained by contacting the publisher, visiting the Genealogy Center, or ordering copies through the center.
The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library is a valuable resource for genealogy enthusiasts and offers a wealth of resources for research.
PERSI is a unique and valuable resource that can be overlooked in genealogical research, offering a wealth of information not available on mainstream genealogy websites.
Transcripts
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