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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. | 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. | ||
*''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, 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 Colorado 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, 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 Colorado are: | ||
An especially helpful source for studying the history of Colorado is ''Colorado and Its People: A Narrative and Topical History of the Centennial State'' <ref>LeRoy R. Hafen, ed., ''Colorado and Its People: A Narrative and Topical History of the Centennial State'', Four Volumes. (New York, NY: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1948; Family History Library | An especially helpful source for studying the history of Colorado is ''Colorado and Its People: A Narrative and Topical History of the Centennial State'' <ref>LeRoy R. Hafen, ed., ''Colorado and Its People: A Narrative and Topical History of the Centennial State'', Four Volumes. (New York, NY: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1948; Family History Library {{FHL|193904|title-id|disp=book 978.8 H2h; film 1000143}}). </ref>Volumes 3-4 contain personal and family histories. | ||
*A bibliography of local histories is found in ''Colorado Bibliography'' <ref>Bohdan S. Wynar and Roberta J. Depp, eds., ''Colorado Bibliography'' (Littleton, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, 1980; Family History Library | *A bibliography of local histories is found in ''Colorado Bibliography'' <ref>Bohdan S. Wynar and Roberta J. Depp, eds., ''Colorado Bibliography'' (Littleton, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, 1980; Family History Library {{FHL|360495|title-id|disp=book 978.8 A3c, pages 53-92}}). </ref> | ||
== United States History == | == United States History == | ||
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The following are only a few of the many sources that are available at most large libraries: | The following are only a few of the many sources that are available at most large libraries: | ||
*''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>This provides brief historical essays and chronological descriptions of thousands of key events in United States history. | ||
*''The Pony Express''<br>Pony Express riders carried the U.S. Mail on horseback. There were approximately 80 of them. There were support personnel as well that numbered over 400. The Pony Express Route Covered Parts of: California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming. <br>[http://www.xphomestation.com/frm-riders.html Pony Express Riders Biographies]: <br>By Name Include Some Photos | *''The Pony Express''<br>Pony Express riders carried the U.S. Mail on horseback. There were approximately 80 of them. There were support personnel as well that numbered over 400. The Pony Express Route Covered Parts of: California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming. <br>[http://www.xphomestation.com/frm-riders.html Pony Express Riders Biographies]: <br>By Name Include Some Photos | ||
*''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;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;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>This includes a history, some maps, tables, and other historical information. | ||
*''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> This includes historical sketches on various topics in U.S. history, such as wars, people, laws, and organizations. | ||
To find more books and articles about Colorado's history use the Internet [http://www.google.com/ Google] search for phases like "Colorado 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 Colorado's history use the Internet [http://www.google.com/ Google] search for phases like "Colorado history." [[Family History Library Catalog Surname Search|Family History Library Catalog Surname Search]] lists many more histories under topics like: | ||