Margie, I don't think you have an issue of comparative worth.. Greenwood is a college-level introductory text on methodology--how to use what you find in sources. The Source is a detailed reference guide to various sources, how to find them, and what they cover. Both need to be considered for effective genealogical research. Rubincam is focused more on sources than methodology, despite its title, and is important historically. However, its current usefulness is limited, considering developmentw of the past 40 years. Greenwood's 3d edition is still in print and available from the publisher, Genealogical Publishing Co. Donn Donn Devine, CG Wilmington, Delaware, USA CG and Certified Genealogist are service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluation, and the board name is registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. In a message dated 10/10/2012 mabeldin@gmail.com writes: Our plan is to read an NGSQ article of our choosing and pair it with a chapter in *The Source* or Greenwood's book that helps us better understand at least one kind of record used in the case study. My question is: Why does Greenwood's book seem to be valued over *The Source*? Does it really matter what reference book we read to expand our knowledge of records for genealogical research?