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Periodical Source Index (PERSI): Difference between revisions
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== | == Overview == | ||
The Periodical Source Index, or PERSI, is the largest subject index to genealogy and local history periodical articles in the world. Created by the staff of the Allen County Public Library Foundation and the ACPL’s Genealogy Center, PERSI is widely recognized as a vital tool for genealogical researchers. PERSI indexes articles in 11,000 periodical titles (including 3,000 defunct titles) published by thousands of local, state, national and international societies and organizations, arranging 2.25 million entries by surname or location and 22 basic subject headings. An important tool for genealogists looking for new avenues of investigation, PERSI’s usefulness is not limited to family history researchers. Local historians and academics, archaeologists and demographers, as well as students from elementary to graduate school and beyond, will all find PERSI an important asset in their research. | |||
The Periodical Source Index (PERSI) is the largest subject index to genealogical and local history periodical articles in the world with more than 1.8 million index entries from nearly ten thousand periodicals written in English and French (Canada) since 1800. Searchable via HeritageQuestOnline.com, the index covers magazines, journals, or newsletters published primarily the United States, Canada, England, and Ireland. This index, created in 1985 by the [[Allen County Public Library|Allen County Public Library]] in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is updated with entries from current periodicals, although the index lags approximately 18 months from article publication date<ref name="ACPL">"Ask a Genealogy Librarian" Service, Historical Genealogy Department, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 2010.</ref> | The Periodical Source Index (PERSI) is the largest subject index to genealogical and local history periodical articles in the world with more than 1.8 million index entries from nearly ten thousand periodicals written in English and French (Canada) since 1800. Searchable via HeritageQuestOnline.com, the index covers magazines, journals, or newsletters published primarily the United States, Canada, England, and Ireland. This index, created in 1985 by the [[Allen County Public Library|Allen County Public Library]] in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is updated with entries from current periodicals, although the index lags approximately 18 months from article publication date<ref name="ACPL">"Ask a Genealogy Librarian" Service, Historical Genealogy Department, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 2010.</ref> | ||
[[Image:PERSI search screen.jpg|thumb|left]] | [[Image:PERSI search screen.jpg|thumb|left]] PERSI is widely recognized as an important source for high-quality genealogy research. Periodicals may contain about 20 percent of published genealogical material. Genealogical periodicals often included articles about local cemeteries, census, church, land, naturalizations, and probate records. So, PERSI is most useful as a genealogical subject index for a selected state, province, county, or town. | ||
PERSI is widely recognized as an important source for high-quality genealogy research. Periodicals may contain about 20 percent of published genealogical material. Genealogical periodicals often included articles about local cemeteries, census, church, land, naturalizations, and probate records. So, PERSI is most useful as a genealogical subject index for a selected state, province, county, or town. | |||
It only indexes family names in article titles, not all the names of people mentioned within the body of an article. It is more useful for researching American and Canadian families prior to the mid-1800s because they are more likely to have descendents who published an article about their ancestors. But PERSI may also help with more recent arrivals as well.<br> | It only indexes family names in article titles, not all the names of people mentioned within the body of an article. It is more useful for researching American and Canadian families prior to the mid-1800s because they are more likely to have descendents who published an article about their ancestors. But PERSI may also help with more recent arrivals as well.<br> | ||
== How to use PERSI == | == How to use PERSI == | ||
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#'''How To's--'''Search for articles on research methodologies. Each of the articles under this section have been put under a category heading (see the list below). <br> | #'''How To's--'''Search for articles on research methodologies. Each of the articles under this section have been put under a category heading (see the list below). <br> | ||
:*Biographies | :*Biographies | ||
:*Cemetery Records | :*Cemetery Records | ||
:*Census Records | :*Census Records | ||
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An older PERSI version on the Internet is still available on [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3165 Ancestry.com], a subscription Internet site. Some public libraries and the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]], and some larger [[Finding a Family History Center|Family History Centers]] have a subscription to Ancestry.com with access to its older PERSI. | An older PERSI version on the Internet is still available on [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3165 Ancestry.com], a subscription Internet site. Some public libraries and the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]], and some larger [[Finding a Family History Center|Family History Centers]] have a subscription to Ancestry.com with access to its older PERSI. | ||
It is currently accessible for free at the | It is currently accessible for free at the [[Allen County Public Library|Allen County Public Library]] in Fort Wayne, Indiana and in over 200 other library locations throughout the world. There is also the option of purchasing the PERSI Index on [http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library/article.aspx?article=5340 '''CD-ROM.'''] | ||
[[Allen County Public Library|Allen County Public Library]] | |||
in Fort Wayne, Indiana and in over 200 other library locations throughout the world. There is also the option of purchasing the PERSI Index on | |||
[http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library/article.aspx?article=5340 '''CD-ROM.'''] | |||
<br> | |||
=== Finding a LDS Family History Center with PERSI === | === Finding a LDS Family History Center with PERSI === | ||
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There are more than 200 libraries worldwide that offer free access to the PERSI Index. To find a library location nearest, go to [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/15689202&referer=brief_results '''http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/15689202&referer=brief_results'''] or go to [http://www.worldcat.org/ '''http://www.worldcat.org'''] and type in "Periodical Source Index" and click Search. A list of results will come up and you need to choose the link with the "Periodical Source Index" tile by the Allen County Public Library, Genealogy Department. | There are more than 200 libraries worldwide that offer free access to the PERSI Index. To find a library location nearest, go to [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/15689202&referer=brief_results '''http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/15689202&referer=brief_results'''] or go to [http://www.worldcat.org/ '''http://www.worldcat.org'''] and type in "Periodical Source Index" and click Search. A list of results will come up and you need to choose the link with the "Periodical Source Index" tile by the Allen County Public Library, Genealogy Department. | ||
Then, while under the library tab, you can enter your location information (this can include your city, state, zipcode, or country). I have found the search to be most effective when I have entered both a city and a state or just a zipcode for a location. (That way if there is more than one location that has this service available in the state you live in, the answers will be in order by those closest to you.) Then, click the "Go" button to the right. A list of the closest libraries, historical societies, and any other place that offers free access, will be ranked in order of proximity (distance from your location). A city, state, and zipcode will come up for each location, as well as the approximate number of miles each site is located away from the location that was entered. An address and other contact information regarding the site that you are interested in visiting can be obtained under each site by clicking on the "Library Information" link. | Then, while under the library tab, you can enter your location information (this can include your city, state, zipcode, or country). I have found the search to be most effective when I have entered both a city and a state or just a zipcode for a location. (That way if there is more than one location that has this service available in the state you live in, the answers will be in order by those closest to you.) Then, click the "Go" button to the right. A list of the closest libraries, historical societies, and any other place that offers free access, will be ranked in order of proximity (distance from your location). A city, state, and zipcode will come up for each location, as well as the approximate number of miles each site is located away from the location that was entered. An address and other contact information regarding the site that you are interested in visiting can be obtained under each site by clicking on the "Library Information" link. | ||
== Obtaining a copy of articles found in PERSI == | == Obtaining a copy of articles found in PERSI == | ||
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Put your name and address on the form where indicated, include your $7.50 and send the form and check off to the address given. When the Allen County Public Library Foundation has photocopied all the pages, they will bill you for them at 20 cents per page. | Put your name and address on the form where indicated, include your $7.50 and send the form and check off to the address given. When the Allen County Public Library Foundation has photocopied all the pages, they will bill you for them at 20 cents per page. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references/> | |||
<references /> | |||
[[Category:Family_History_Library]] | [[Category:Family_History_Library]] | ||