This week we are reviewing four great books designed to help the family historian overcome a common research stumbling block. Reading vital records, court documents, certificates, court records, and so on are a common part of genealogical research. But, how often does the researcher find words, abbreviations, or acronyms for which they are unsure of the means. These four great books can help with the genealogical research language barrier.
To read parts two and three follow these links:
What Do They Mean? Understanding Abbreviations, Words, and Acronyms in Research; 1 of 4
What Do They Mean? Understanding Abbreviations, Words, and Acronyms in Research; 2 of 4
What Do They Mean? Understanding Abbreviations, Words, and Acronyms in Research; 3 of 4
In this blog, we review Ancestry’s Concise Genealogical Dictionary, compiled by Maurine & Glen Harris.
The Genealogical Dictionary has long been well received at Family Roots Publishing. Perhaps not as well sold as What Did They Mean By That, but is popular due to the “concise” and easy to ready style of the book.
Having been a publisher and author, overall design aesthetics are important to me, and this book is well designed. I find this book, with its slightly smaller form factor at 5.5″ x 8.5″ (instead of the 6″ x 9″ of the other books), its two column printing, and its easy to read fonts and design all printed on bright, thick, white paper my visual and tactile favorite of the group. Perhaps, this is a contributor to its success.
Definitions are easily the shortest and most direct of the three dictionaries. However, as I have demonstrated in the previous parts of this blog, each book provides its own flavor and value.
Most of the books 256 pages are definitions. The last 23 pages, however, are abbreviations. One unique aspect to this book is the inclusion of numerous Latin words with the English translations. These words are common to many documents encountered by genealogist and are included alphabetically with all other entries. Latin words are marked by “(Lat.)” just after the entry. For example:
natus: (Lat.) birth; age; son; offspring.
Together, the four books discussed in this blog series provides the Genealogist with a fantastic reference set to words and symbols found in genealogical research: in both the field of study as well as in documents and records studied. While there is some overlap found between these books, there is plenty more unique to each.
To order copies of each book, please visit Family Roots Publishing. Or, get all four as a set and get 20% off:
Abbreviations & Acronyms: A Guide For Family Historians (Revised 2nd Edition); Family Roots Publishing Item #: TP269.
A-Zax: A Comprehensive Dictionary For Genealogists And Historians – 3rd Edition; Family Roots Publishing Item #: GE138.
What Did They Mean By That? A Dictionary of Historical and Genealogical Terms, Old and New; Family Roots Publishing Item #: HBD7169.
Ancestry’s Concise Genealogical Dictionary; Family Roots Publishing Item #: TP06X.
20% off the complete set:
Complete Genealogical Terms & Phrases Reference Set (all four of the above listed books) at 20% off. Family Roots Publishing Item #: REF001. ***Must order the set in order to receive the discount***