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== Overview == | == Overview == | ||
The Periodical Source Index, or PERSI, is the largest subject index to genealogy and local history periodical articles in the world.<ref name="ACPL">"Ask a Genealogy Librarian" Service, Historical Genealogy Department, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 2010.</ref> Created by the staff of the [[Allen County Public Library|Allen County Public Library]] Foundation and the ACPL’s [[Allen County Public Library|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. | The Periodical Source Index, or PERSI, is the largest subject index to genealogy and local history periodical articles in the world.<ref name="ACPL">"Ask a Genealogy Librarian" Service, Historical Genealogy Department, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 2010.</ref> Created by the staff of the [[Allen County Public Library|Allen County Public Library]] Foundation and the ACPL’s [[Allen County Public Library|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 2.7 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 PERSI project began in 1986 with efforts directed at indexing both “current” issues, to be published in annual volumes, and “retrospective” issues, to be published in a 16 volume set covering 1847-1985. The [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/691230?availability=Family%20History%20Library Family History Library] made the 16 volume set available on microfiche, but the print volumes provided the principal access for researchers until Ancestry began to briefly issue CDs containing the entire retro set, all annual volumes, plus additional pre-1986 material. | The PERSI project began in 1986 with efforts directed at indexing both “current” issues, to be published in annual volumes, and “retrospective” issues, to be published in a 16 volume set covering 1847-1985. The [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/691230?availability=Family%20History%20Library Family History Library] made the 16 volume set available on microfiche, but the print volumes provided the principal access for researchers until Ancestry began to briefly issue CDs containing the entire retro set, all annual volumes, plus additional pre-1986 material. | ||
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In 1997, the last year for which an annual print volume was produced, PERSI was made available as an online database at [http://www.ancestry.com/ Ancestry.com] $. However, it is no longer available at that site. | In 1997, the last year for which an annual print volume was produced, PERSI was made available as an online database at [http://www.ancestry.com/ Ancestry.com] $. However, it is no longer available at that site. | ||
PERSI is searchable at [http:// | PERSI is searchable at [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/periodical-source-index findmypast.com]. | ||
Findmypast is a pay site after a 14 day free trial period. They have entered into a partnership with the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center to improve PERSI, by linking thousands of individual genealogical periodicals and resources to the index and allowing the original content to be accessed and connected digitally for the first time in the history of PERSI. | |||
Under the auspices of the ACPL Foundation, the project currently employs a staff of eight, including a full-time supervisor and assistant supervisor, as well as part-time encoders (indexers), editors, and request fulfillment personnel. | Under the auspices of the ACPL Foundation, the project currently employs a staff of eight, including a full-time supervisor and assistant supervisor, as well as part-time encoders (indexers), editors, and request fulfillment personnel. | ||
== Contents == | == Contents == | ||
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*More than 60 people have been employed by the project over the years. Although guidelines have improved in this time, the encoding process remains a very subjective one. Encoders and editors strive to make citations as user-friendly as possible, but researchers must also exercise creativity in their searches. | *More than 60 people have been employed by the project over the years. Although guidelines have improved in this time, the encoding process remains a very subjective one. Encoders and editors strive to make citations as user-friendly as possible, but researchers must also exercise creativity in their searches. | ||
== Searching PERSI at | == Searching PERSI at findmypast.com<br> == | ||
*PERSI is one of the featured databases at | *PERSI is one of the featured databases at [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/periodical-source-index findmypast.com]. | ||
*To access PERSI in any Allen County Public Library facility, click on “Genealogy” on the main webpage <www.ACPL.Info> then click on “findmypast.com” and select “Search PERSI.” | |||
* | *[[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers|LDS family history centers]] offer access to findmypast.com. [https://familysearch.org/ask/help To locate your local family history center.] | ||
[ | === Online Guides to Searching PERSI on findmypast.com === | ||
*[https://blog.findmypast.com/su-1561616814.html 5 things you'll find in genealogy periodicals] | |||
*[https://blog.findmypast.com/ho-1771212661.html Tips and Tricks for searching PERSI like a pro] | |||
=== Searching People === | === Searching People === | ||
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To print selected citations from the “Article Results List” in HeritageQuest, click to display a check in the box next to each article title of interest. Once relevant citations are checked, select “Notebook” at the top of the page. From the Notebook, options to Email, Print, or Download the list of checked citations are available. A title for the list, as well as notes concerning each entry, can be added as desired before the process is complete. | To print selected citations from the “Article Results List” in HeritageQuest, click to display a check in the box next to each article title of interest. Once relevant citations are checked, select “Notebook” at the top of the page. From the Notebook, options to Email, Print, or Download the list of checked citations are available. A title for the list, as well as notes concerning each entry, can be added as desired before the process is complete. | ||
== Additional Tips == | == Additional Tips == | ||
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