Surname Periodicals Vary in Value

Question: Are family periodicals worth subscribing to?

Answer: “One-name” (surname) family periodicals (often called newsletters) vary in quality and value. A few are outstanding; some are poorly edited and compiled. Most are modestly priced ($3 to $20 a year). Try a year’s subscription to evaluate it.

Q: How do I find names, addresses and prices of current family periodicals?

A: Information about one-name (surname) family periodicals can be obtained from “Directory of Family (One-Name) Periodicals,” published annually by Summit Publications, P.O. Box 222, Munroe Falls, Ohio 44262 ($7 postpaid). Another source is “Family Periodicals,” compiled by Merle Gainer, 2108 Grace St., Ft. Worth, Tex. 76111 ($5 postpaid).

“The Genealogical Helper” magazine (available in most libraries with genealogy collections) publishes in its annual March/April issue information about family periodical publications, associations and reunion groups.

Q: More than a year ago I sent $12 to a quarterly family publication and have received only one issue of it. This is not an enormous amount of money, but I would like to receive either the issues or a refund.

A: There are some consumer rip-offs in the genealogy field, but few occur in family publications. Write or call the editor and explain the situation. Perhaps you moved, and your mail has gone to the wrong address; or your address is incorrect in the subscription list. Editors can suffer illness, die or have family problems (tending to an ill spouse or elderly parents, for example). Most problems can be resolved by direct contact with the editor.

Q: I have subscribed to several family periodicals through the years and have found many cousins through these sources and some excellent information. However, as I have become more knowledgeable in my research, in methodology and the citation of sources, I’m now frustrated with material submitted from uncited sources, or sources not cited properly, and often with no documentation. How can I graciously resolve this problem with editors and contributors?

A: Most genealogists are well aware of the critical importance of documentation and proper citation of sources. Most editors of family periodicals are dependent upon contributors for material and often are hesitant to offend them by demanding that sources be provided and citations done properly. As a subscriber, you should present your concern and enlighten others about how to do it correctly.

While genealogy primarily remains a hobby to most people, its value to later researchers and scholars should not be diminished by shoddy work. Write to the editors; include examples of correct citations and a properly arranged and footnoted genealogy of one of your lines. Ask that subscribers be reminded to include their sources and learn how to cite them properly.

Genealogists are eager to learn. Remember, most of us at one time did not know that when we “cited” information about our family as obtained from the “1850 Jay County, Ind., census” that we were giving incomplete documentation and an improper citation of that source.

More advanced and concerned genealogists must take the time to educate others as they enter the field on documentation and citing genealogical sources properly. Good editors will listen. Publications whose editors do not strive for improvement or who continue to publish undocumented, improperly cited references are not worth your money or time.

Q: Do family periodicals answer research questions, or do they just collect and publish data about all lines of a particular surname?

A: It depends on the editor and policy of each publication. Most will gladly publish your queries, which increases your chances of finding cousins.

Editors of these publications usually produce them as a labor of love, working on shoestring budgets, barely supported by subscribers. Always include a No. 10 (legal-size) self-addressed stamped envelope with your queries. In genealogy circles, including an SASE is simply good manners.