GREAT! #7 --->Genealogy Research Easy Access Tip! This information is excerpted from "How to Do Research on the Internet" http://www.researchonline.net/res1.htm Permission is explicitly granted to repost this message to other mailing lists. More stuff you won't find using the search engines. One of the most difficult steps in the research process is building an effective bibliography. For those who have done a Masters or Doctrinal paper, you know that the bibliography is carefully scrutinized for completeness and accuracy. The reasons for this are twofold: 1. To assure that your research has carefully considered all relevant other works. 2. To aid other researchers in verifying your work and extending it. While many approach genealogy research from a purely hobbyist viewpoint, the need for careful consideration of other's research and documentation of your findings is still important - thus the need to create a bibliography, then research each source, synthesize and document your findings. This GREAT tip deals with using on-line library catalogs to create a bibliography for research. Many library catalogs are now available via WWW access using a protocol called Z39.50 and of course, the biggest library of them all is the Library of Congress, so we will use it for this example. I have found, however, that many of the items found in local or regional libraries - particularly local and family histories - are not found or are classified differently in the LOC, so once I do a high level bibliography at the LOC, I generally take the findings to local libraries to refine and extend my bibliography. The search engine for the LOC is located at: http://lcweb.loc.gov/catalog/ and for this example, we want to use the advanced search techniques: The URL for the direct access to the advanced search has a hellacious length http://lcweb.loc.gov/cgi-bin/zgate?ACTION=INIT&FORM_HOST_PORT=/prod/www/data /z 3950/loc.html,ibm2.loc.gov,2210&CI=101933 so it's easier to go to the catalog page first, then click on advanced search. You can then bookmark this page for easier access next time you need it. A search for HAMMOND FAMILY in the subject category yields 28 results. As a first step, copy the entire page(s) of bibliographic citations to your word processor so you can annotate them as you continue your research. Pay particular attention to the LC call numbers and also click on "More of this record" and note the subject categories. In addition to the CS71 call numbers which are family histories, there is one listed as PR6011 which looks interesting so I return to the search form and submit a query for that as a Call Number. These appear to be plays written on historical subjects, so this particular entry seems to be an interesting book to retrieve via inter-library loan. Another call number is PS3558. These are all novels in this category, so it seems someone has also written a historical novel on the family. A third interesting citation in my new bibliography is a photograph or a Mrs. Hammond, dated 1912. She is sitting in an airplane. Now there is an interesting tidbit to add to my notes - even if she proves to be a very distant cousin. Also cited are several letters in the manuscript collection which will all only be available via a personal visit to the LOC. Several of the citations yield subject category searches which are worth pursuing at regional libraries however. Subjects: Hammond family -- Correspondence. Hammond, James Henry, 1807-1864 -- Correspondence. Redcliffe, S.C. South Carolina -- History -- 1775-1865 -- Sources. Family -- South Carolina -- History -- 19th century -- Sources. Slaveholders -- South Carolina -- Correspondence. Note that the exact spacing and punctuation as listed above are important for submitting back to most library catalogs when you research. Some computer programmer in his infinate wisdom however, has ignored the fact that catalogers have followed this convention for a kabillion years and chosen to implement the LOC subject search category with NO PUNCTUATION. Thus, you can not just cut and paste, to see what SLAVEHOLDERS-- SOUTH CAROLINA -- CORRESPONDENCE may exist besides Uncle Jimmy's, for the LOC you would need to enter it as SLAVEHOLDERS SOUTH CAROLINA CORRESPONDENCE. I don't know it this is a new trend, but at present (1999) LOC is the only one I have seen that implements the search this way. When you visit other libraries, - and particularly if you are using a TELNET session, use the first form. Also make note of the Dewey Decimal number. You will need it rather than the LOC number when researching many local libraries. This is also the number used in the IGI index as the INPUT SOURCE for books, so when you cross-reference that resource, you can connect them via the Dewey Decimal Number. In conclusion, the second step of the research model, "Identifying and Locating Useful Resources" is now extremely easy to do, where just a few years ago, such a process would have taken months or years to accomplish. Because it is so easy however, don't neglect this critical step to effective research in your eager anticipation of what you will find in the next book. Careful consideration of all relevant resources is what distinguishers the researchers from the "tourists."