Community libraries are a fantastic source of information. I can remember going to our local library (a former Carnegie Library) to join the summer reading program and check out books to read. What a great way to get to learn things – I remember reading the Little House on the Prairie books, and biographies about Marcus & Narcissa Whitman, the Spaldings, and Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce as well as books about nurses like Clara Barton. By the time I was in 7th grade, I was reading adult books by Daphne Du Maurier, Victoria Holt, Georgette Heyer, and any books in the Harlequin Romance & Presents series.
So, when
it came time to do genealogy, where did I go – the local library! At that time, you can order census records through
interlibrary loan and use the libraries microfilm readers to search for your
ancestors. Then I learned about the
Family History Library (now Family Search Center) where you can also order
census records and church records on microfilm to view there at the
library. You can tell I’m dating myself –
this was in the early 1980’s. Then we
learned about the Seattle Public Library – it had almost an entire floor
devoted to genealogy and history.
Nothing doing but plan a Saturday and spend the entire day at the
library doing research.
Now,
almost everything is online. Even
libraries. Not many have microfiche or
microfilm readers. Some have even done
away with the genealogy section. Parking
is almost nil and could be expensive depending on how much time you spend there. Covid also did a number on our libraries – I walked
into one of my local libraries and the shelves were half empty! That’s sad.
There’s nothing like reading a good book in your hands (not digital or
audio).
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