by Suzanne (Susie) Sandlin Gay, August 1998
The R&R referred to here is Clayton Library’s Ready Reference section. I’ve used a little poetic license, but one really can enjoy rest and relaxation here—but bring you own lounge chair, please!
If you’re not familiar with this area of the library, please allow me to introduce it to you. If you scurry from the front door to the census books, you have already passed it—on your left. The Ready Reference shelves house more than 150 books, some that provide explanations (such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, and almanacs) and others that point to additional sources (such as bibliographies, directories, guides, and finding aids). There are numerous titles for general USA research, but you will also find helpful items on genealogy computer software, ethnic research, foreign sources, and sources specific to Texas.
Unless you have been extraordinarily lucky, you have labored with at least a few hard-to-read census records and may wish to look at How to Read the Handwriting and Records of Early America (929.1072 K52 USA). Better yet, if you want a chuckle or two, see the Practical Guide to the Misteaks Made in Census Indexes (929.1072 P895 USA). I had a great grandfather whose name was Elijah, but on one of the census records his name was spelled “Eligh.” It seems obvious to me now, but I almost missed it!
For those of you who wish to publish your findings, let me suggest the following reference tools: Directory of Genealogical Software (929.1 C379); How Word-Processing Designs, Edits, Completes Genealogy Forms (929 A552); Cite Your Sources (929.1072 L141 USA); Evidence! Citation & Analysis for the Family Historian (929.1 M657); and The Next Step: A Complete Resource Saving How-to-Do Reference GUIDE in Preparing, Printing, and Marketing Computerized Family History (929.1072 P855).
An article in the January 1998 issue of The CLF Newsletter explained the valuable role newspapers can play in your research. For information about newspapers, see Newspapers in Microform, 3 vols. (011.35 N558 USA); American Newspapers, 1821-1936: A Union List of Files Available in the United States and Canada (016.071 A512 USA); and Newspapers Housed in the Texas and Local History Library (RR).
If you are stumped by an acronym, see Acronyms, Initialisms and Abbreviations Dictionary or New Acronyms, Initialisms & Abbreviations (423.1 G152); but if it’s the name of an international organization you need, try Encyclopedia of Associations: International Organizations, 3 vols. (060 E56 USA).
When you visit the Ready Reference section, you will see that the scope is broad. You will find, in addition to the materials mentioned above, items on associations, cemeteries, chambers of commerce, churches, county records, family histories, heraldry, legal terms, microfilm holdings, military records, places, post offices, public records, publications, state agencies, and vital records. This visit will not be your last. The Ready Reference resources will keep you coming back again and again—to answer your questions, to point you in new directions, and to enrich your research experience. If you have any questions about these resources, please do not hesitate to ask the Clayton staff.
To whet your appetite, I’ve included below some representative titles that may be of interest to you. Note that, although these books have various call numbers, they are shelved in the Ready Reference area. To ensure that they are properly re-shelved, the library staff has marked each with an orange dot on the spine. See you at the Library!