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Some of the most valuable sources for family history research are local histories. Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain accounts of families. They describe the settlement of the area and the founding of churches, schools, and businesses. You can also find lists of pioneers, soldiers, and civil officials. Even if your ancestor is not listed, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestor. A local history may also suggest other records to search. Local histories are extensively collected by the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]], public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. The United States Research "[[United States History|History]]" page cites nationwide bibliographies of local histories which include histories of Alabama. | Some of the most valuable sources for family history research are local histories. Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain accounts of families. They describe the settlement of the area and the founding of churches, schools, and businesses. You can also find lists of pioneers, soldiers, and civil officials. Even if your ancestor is not listed, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestor. A local history may also suggest other records to search. Local histories are extensively collected by the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]], public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. The United States Research "[[United States History|History]]" page cites nationwide bibliographies of local histories which include histories of Alabama. | ||
*''Bibliography of the County Histories of Alabama.'' <ref>Ward, Robert David. ''Bibliography of the County Histories of Alabama.'' Birmingham, Alabama: Birmingham Public Library, 1991. (Family History Library | *''Bibliography of the County Histories of Alabama.'' <ref>Ward, Robert David. ''Bibliography of the County Histories of Alabama.'' Birmingham, Alabama: Birmingham Public Library, 1991. (Family History Library {{FHL|643691|title-id|disp=book 976.1 H23w}}.)</ref> | ||
*''A Bibliography of American County Histories'' <ref>Filby, P. William. ''A Bibliography of American County Histories''. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1985. ( | *''A Bibliography of American County Histories'' <ref>Filby, P. William. ''A Bibliography of American County Histories''. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1985. ({{FHL|A Bibliography of American County Histories|title|disp=FHL book 973 H23bi}})</ref> <ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/12356760&amp;amp;referer=brief_results Worldcat] </ref> | ||
*''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress'' <ref>Kaminkow, Marion J. ''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress''. 5 vols. Baltimore: Magna Charta Book, 1975-76. ( | *''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress'' <ref>Kaminkow, Marion J. ''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress''. 5 vols. Baltimore: Magna Charta Book, 1975-76. ({{FHL|252458|title-id|disp=FHL book 973 A3ka}}.) </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=United+States+Local+Histories+in+the+Library+of+Congress&amp;amp;qt=results_page Worldcat] </ref> | ||
== State Histories Useful to Genealogists == | == State Histories Useful to Genealogists == | ||
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Good genealogists strive to understand the life and times of their ancestors. In this sense, any history is useful. But certain kinds of state, county, and local histories, [http://www.accessgenealogy.com/book/index.cgi?folder=alabama-history especially older histories] published between 1845 and 1945, often include biographical sketches of prominent individuals. The sketches usually tend toward the laudatory, but may include some genealogical details. If these histories are indexed or alphabetical, check for an ancestor's name. Some examples for the State of Alabama are: | Good genealogists strive to understand the life and times of their ancestors. In this sense, any history is useful. But certain kinds of state, county, and local histories, [http://www.accessgenealogy.com/book/index.cgi?folder=alabama-history especially older histories] published between 1845 and 1945, often include biographical sketches of prominent individuals. The sketches usually tend toward the laudatory, but may include some genealogical details. If these histories are indexed or alphabetical, check for an ancestor's name. Some examples for the State of Alabama are: | ||
*''Memorial Record of Alabama: A Concise Account of the State’s Political, Military, Professional and Industrial Progress, Together With the Personal Memoirs of Many of its People.'' <ref>''Memorial Record of Alabama: A Concise Account of the State’s Political, Military, Professional and Industrial Progress, Together With the Personal Memoirs of Many of its People.'' Two Volumes. Madison, Wisconsin: Brant and Fuller, 1893. (Family History Library | *''Memorial Record of Alabama: A Concise Account of the State’s Political, Military, Professional and Industrial Progress, Together With the Personal Memoirs of Many of its People.'' <ref>''Memorial Record of Alabama: A Concise Account of the State’s Political, Military, Professional and Industrial Progress, Together With the Personal Memoirs of Many of its People.'' Two Volumes. Madison, Wisconsin: Brant and Fuller, 1893. (Family History Library {{FHL|934817|film|disp=book 976.1 H2m; film 934817}}.) </ref> | ||
*''Alabama History: An Annotated Bibliography'' <ref>Brown, Lynda W. ''Alabama History: An Annotated Bibliography''. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1998. (Family History Library | *''Alabama History: An Annotated Bibliography'' <ref>Brown, Lynda W. ''Alabama History: An Annotated Bibliography''. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1998. (Family History Library {{FHL|730251|title-id|disp=book 976.1 H2bL}}.) </ref>This contains information about American Indian tribes; European exploration and colonization; territorial and formative periods; and Antebellum, Confederate, Reconstruction, and later periods. Each chronological period is subdivided into subjects, such as education, arts, diaries, industry, migrations, and religion. | ||
For 1798 to 1819, ''The Territorial Papers of the United States'' contain petitions, memorials, and other lists of early residents in what is now Alabama: | For 1798 to 1819, ''The Territorial Papers of the United States'' contain petitions, memorials, and other lists of early residents in what is now Alabama: | ||
*''The Territorial Papers of the United States'' <ref>United States. Department of State. ''The Territorial Papers of the United States''. 26 volumes. National Archives Microfilm Publication, M0721. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1934–1962. (Family History Library | *''The Territorial Papers of the United States'' <ref>United States. Department of State. ''The Territorial Papers of the United States''. 26 volumes. National Archives Microfilm Publication, M0721. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1934–1962. (Family History Library {{FHL|42234|title-id|disp=book 973 N2udt; films 929376–91}}.) See volumes five and six on Family History Library {{FHL|42234|title-id|disp=film 929379}} </ref>for records of the Territory of Mississippi, which included present-day Alabama. These volumes cover 1798 to 1817 and include lists of residents for 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812 (lists of aliens in 1812), 1814, and 1815. Volume 18 on Family History Library <ref>{{FHL|42234|title-id|disp=film 929386}} </ref>has records pertaining to the Territory of Alabama, including land sales, employment and dismissal, commission, power of attorney, postmaster correspondence, government business, court, election candidate, and Indian affairs records. Each volume is indexed. | ||
For the period to 1821 see: | For the period to 1821 see: | ||
*''French and Spanish Records of Louisiana: A Bibliographical Guide to Archive and Manuscript Sources''. <ref>Beers, Henry Putney. ''French and Spanish Records of Louisiana: A Bibliographical Guide to Archive and Manuscript Sources''. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University, 1989. (Family History Library | *''French and Spanish Records of Louisiana: A Bibliographical Guide to Archive and Manuscript Sources''. <ref>Beers, Henry Putney. ''French and Spanish Records of Louisiana: A Bibliographical Guide to Archive and Manuscript Sources''. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University, 1989. (Family History Library {{FHL|591607|title-id|disp=book 976.3 H23b}}.) </ref>Section III discusses the history, government, and land and church records of the area of Louisiana that is in present-day Alabama. | ||
*''History of Alabama and Incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, From the Earliest Period'' <ref>Pickett, Albert James. ''History of Alabama and Incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, From the Earliest Period''. Sheffield, Alabama: R.C. Randolph, 1896. (Family History Library | *''History of Alabama and Incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, From the Earliest Period'' <ref>Pickett, Albert James. ''History of Alabama and Incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, From the Earliest Period''. Sheffield, Alabama: R.C. Randolph, 1896. (Family History Library {{FHL|192476|title-id|disp=book 976.1 H2p; film 924406}}.) </ref>This book lists historical events in chronological order, from the early history to about 1820. | ||
== United States History == | == United States History == | ||
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The following are only a few of the many sources that are available: | The following are only a few of the many sources that are available: | ||
*''The Almanac of American History'', <ref>Schlesinger, Jr., Arthur M. ''The Almanac of American History.'' Greenwich, Conn.: Bison Books, 1983. ( | *''The Almanac of American History'', <ref>Schlesinger, Jr., Arthur M. ''The Almanac of American History.'' Greenwich, Conn.: Bison Books, 1983. ({{FHL|The Almanac of American History.|title|disp=FHL book 973 H2alm}}) </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/9392978&amp;amp;referer=brief_results Worldcat] </ref>This provides brief historical essays and chronological descriptions of thousands of key events in United States history. | ||
*''Dictionary of American History, Revised ed'' <ref>'' Dictionary of American History, Revised ed., 8 vols''. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976. ( | *''Dictionary of American History, Revised ed'' <ref>'' Dictionary of American History, Revised ed., 8 vols''. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976. ({{FHL|76529|title-id|disp=FHL book 973 H2ad}}.)</ref> <ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2507380&amp;amp;referer=brief_results Worldcat] </ref>This includes historical sketches on various topics in U.S. history, such as wars, people, laws, and organizations. A snippet view is available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=Lz9WC9EyF08C&q=9780684138565&dq=9780684138565&ei=F4GxSbisHpDMlQSW3Z36BQ&pgis=1 Google books]. | ||
*''Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium'' <ref>'' Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium''. Springfield, Mass.: G&amp;amp;C Merriam, 1971. ( | *''Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium'' <ref>'' Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium''. Springfield, Mass.: G&amp;amp;C Merriam, 1971. ({{FHL|Webster%27s Guide to American History%3A A Chronological%2C Geographical%2C and Biographical Survey and Compendium|title|disp=FHL book 973 H2v}}) </ref><ref>Limited view at [http://books.google.com/books?id=MVU6DS6Re8gC&amp;amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;amp;dq=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History:+A+Chronological,+Geographical,+and+Biographical+Survey+and+Compendium%27&amp;amp;ei=Vn-xSeS6FJDUlQSby81v#PPP13,M1 Google Books] </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History&amp;amp;qt=owc_search Worldcat] </ref>This includes a history, some maps, tables, and other historical information. | ||
*''Writings on American History'' <ref>''Writings on American History'' By American Historical Association, Library of Congress, United States National Historical Publications Commission, Published by KTO Press, 1921 | *''Writings on American History'' <ref>''Writings on American History'' By American Historical Association, Library of Congress, United States National Historical Publications Commission, Published by KTO Press, 1921 {{FHL|244514|title-id|disp=FHL book 973 H23w}} </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Writings+on+American+History&amp;amp;qt=owc_search Worldcat] </ref>Has the full text available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=mgEPAAAAYAAJ&dq=United+States+Local+Histories+in+the+Library+of+Congress&ei=N3yxSd6pI4K0kATC-qRu Google Books] | ||
To find more books and articles about Alabama 's history use the Internet [http://www.google.com/ Google] search for phases like "Alabama history." [[Family History Library Catalog Surname Search|Family History Library Catalog Surname Search]] lists many more histories under topics like: | To find more books and articles about Alabama 's history use the Internet [http://www.google.com/ Google] search for phases like "Alabama history." [[Family History Library Catalog Surname Search|Family History Library Catalog Surname Search]] lists many more histories under topics like: | ||