Finding Family in PERSI

Submitted by HostGFSChrissy@aol.com

 

Way back in the olden days before computers; I used PERSI for research at the Western Reserve Historical Society in Ohio.

If you consider the fact I was usually doing research with an eight year old and two year old as research companions, perhaps you will understand why I needed to find something that was convenient to use. I was not able to use the old fashioned microfiche machine. Besides I had to think of the librarian's feelings. When the three of us made our first appearance at the WRHS, the librarians shuddered and quivered in their shoes. They soon got used to our frequent visits. We came prepared for at least two hours of fun. The girls brought their own entertainment and I had PERSI to keep me out of mischief. :c)

What is PERSI?

PERSI is short for PERiodical Source Index. PERSI is a comprehensive place, subject, and surname index to current genealogical and local history periodicals.

PERSI is divided into five parts.

1. Places. You only need to know the state. Of course, if you know the county so much the better. Look for all the record types that are available in the area that you are researching. There is a list of them at end of this article. Not all of them are included for each family, but there is more than enough to give you a clue to look for the next bit of puzzle.

2. Families. Families are listed alphabetically. There are articles on some surnames. There are lists of cemeteries where folks of a surname are buried. No, not all the surnames are available. You may find information of a collateral in your family tree or a neighbor which will lead you to another line. There is no end to the different ways you can do a family tree. There are no family trees or charts in PERSI. That is all right with me. If all the information was there it would take all the fun out of the search anyway.

3. Canadian Section. This is arranged like the Places section. I just know you figured out it is arranged by Provinces instead of States followed by the same list of record types listed at the end of this article.

4. Foreign Places. Are you looking for clues across "the pond"? Please take the time to get acquainted with this area. I still have more to learn about this area.

5. Research Methods. This is where you find the most information. I loved this section the first time I found it. I did not know I had found so many ways to do my research. It really teaches you how to improve your research skills. No computer ever taught me as much as PERSI. :c)

The record types available are:

Biography: These are articles that do not fit neatly into each other. This is where I recently found an article my mother had written about her grandfather, Oscar Edmund Waite. My mother had also included a couple of letters she had received from a distant cousin about the same ancestor. I found more names, dates and locations in those articles. Now of course I have to document this information. :c)

Cemetery: I learned from this section to start with surname. You will not find every family listed here for each state. Also most family cemeteries will not be listed here.

Census: Well, you all know the usual census information. But did you know can also find census schedules for manufacturing, agricultural, slave, and mortality rates too?

Church: This section includes all church related records. You may be lucky enough to find a church diary written by one of your ancestors ministers.

Court: The only thing I have are court records which do not fit anywhere else. This is a mixed variety of records.

Deeds: Have you ever heard of abstract deeds? These and other records of deeds are here. You may find an index for the family you are searching.

Directories: This has all types of directories; city, rural; business and county.

History: Now here you can really get engrossed in studying your ancestors. You can read about the towns they lived in; for example was it an agricultural or industrial town. As an example there were social movements that were taking place. You can read to see what impact they had on our growing country.

Institutions: More records! Records of schools, clubs, societies, fraternal organizations and more.

Land: This is everything that is not included in deeds or deed indexes.

Maps: This has pictorial maps. I did locate some migration maps here.

Military: This has regimental history, pension, service and muster information.

Naturalization: Indexes and naturalization records are located here as well as copies of visas and passports.

Obituaries: Includes indexes of obituaries or death notices

Passenger lists: Well, we know our ancestors did not fly or swim here. So these lists must be from ships. I was just checking to see if you were really reading this. :c) I really need to search this area more for the Hector. Seems my gggrandfather came from Scotland on this ship. This is already on my list of things to do.

Probate: These are court records which included estate records; inventory of said estates; and wills and guardianship.

School: Located here are class rosters; school census; alumni listings; payroll; teachers diaries. Oh, these are great to read even if they are not your family.

Tax: Taxes!! Yes, even our ancestors paid taxes! This area includes information on all types of taxes and assessments at all levels of government.

Vital records: This contains birth, marriage and death records. Divorce records are a court transactions so you will not find this information in vital records.

Voter: Lists voters, tabulations and slates of candidates.

Wills: This only included wills that are records and indexes or abstracts of wills.

Other: this is for everything that is not included in the above list.

I have just started using PERSI again. I have never used every section myself. It is a goal I would like to complete as I work on the family genealogy. I am so far behind in reading all that is available to read in PERSI; I would like to complete what is available and then I can start on all the books which are available. :c) I am reorganizing my way of researching.

There is so much available on the Internet. Of course; no matter where you search your information will have to be documented. I will get census pages and land titles as I continue my search. PERSI is just one form of research. There is a great deal of information available there.

If you find a magazine from your state in PERSI though, you can make a contribution to it. Just think how much your article will help a future family historian. :c)

Update!!

Today I found 2 articles in PERSI written by my mother on Oscar Edmund WAITE.

Why oh why she did not document her information is beyond me!  So as well as combining both of our information, I am going back to document all the stuff she found.  I documented as I went along. :::::sigh::::

Just thought it was neat to find two articles written by my mother in Branches and Twigs. (VT magazine)

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