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== What is PERSI? == | == What is PERSI? == | ||
The Periodical Source Index, or PERSI, is the largest subject index to genealogical and local history periodical articles in the world. Periodicals include magazines, journals, or newsletters. PERSI includes more than 1.9 million index entries from more than ten thousand periodicals written in English and French, since 1800 (covering primarily the United States, Canada, England, and Ireland). This index was started in 1985 by the [[ | The Periodical Source Index, or PERSI, is the largest subject index to genealogical and local history periodical articles in the world. Periodicals include magazines, journals, or newsletters. PERSI includes more than 1.9 million index entries from more than ten thousand periodicals written in English and French, since 1800 (covering primarily the United States, Canada, England, and Ireland). This index was started in 1985 by the [[Allen County Public Library|Allen County Public Library]] in Fort Wayne, Indiana, under the editorship of Michael B. Clegg. <br> | ||
PERSI is widely recognized as an essential 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 essential 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 | 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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#Surname journals and newsletters | #Surname journals and newsletters | ||
#Page numbers | #Page numbers | ||
== Acces to PERSI == | |||
'''Online.''' PERSI is available at [http://persi.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/persi HeritageQuestOnline]. This service is found at hundreds of county, city or other public libraries around the United States and Canada (sometimes remotely on the Internet by library card number). The Family History Library and some Family History Centers have access to HeritageQuestOnline. | |||
An older 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, the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]], and some Family History Centers have a subscription to Ancestry.com. | |||
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PERSI will be accessible in 1,400 LDS Family History Centers in the United States. 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.'''] | |||
=== Finding a LDS Family History Center with PERSI === | |||
To find a LDS Family History Center that does or will offer PERSI Index for free, go to [http://www.lds.org/ '''www.lds.org''']. Move your mouse over the "Family History and Temples" option on the left and click on "[http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp '''Family History Centers''']". From there, select the country you live in and fill in the remaining blanks more specific to where you live. Since access to this service will be limited to 1,400 family history centers in North America, patrons should contact their local family history center to see if this service is available. Family History center directors should contact Family History Center Support with questions. | |||
=== Finding a library with PERSI === | |||
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. | |||
== Obtaining a copy of articles found in PERSI == | == Obtaining a copy of articles found in PERSI == | ||