Is there a difference between searching the Family History Catalog for family histories or genealogi

Kathy Nevin

I've been teaching a basic Search FamilySearch class to my DAR chapter to help them with their patriot research. I talked about the searching the catalog and then talked about searching BOOKS. The question came up -- are the books from the 15 partner institutions listed in the catalog? Is there an advantage searching one over the other?

 

Thanks for help!

Kathy

O'Fallon, IL

Karen 19

I have not used the Book libraries extensively. I think there is much that is not in the catalogue and, sometines, when a book will not display from the catalogue I have found the reason when I find the book in a library. This is a useful article you can read in the FamilySearch Help Centre How do I find a digitized book in the FamilySearch Digital Library?

 

Patricia Jensen

@Kathy Nevin​ 

As far as your question 'Are the books from the 15 partner institutions listed in the catalog?' goes, I would assume yes.

Now to the advantage question....

The FamilySearch Catalog is where you can find all the genealogical materials that FamilySearch has. So if you search a family surname from the catalog it will show you all materials with that name. The results would include digitized and viewable online from home materials and materials only viewable at the Family History Libraries or Family History Centers. If you find a book in the catalog, and it is digitized for online viewing, there is a link on the catalog page that will take you to it in the FamilySearch Digital Library. But not all books in FamilySearch's possession are in the FamilySearch Digital Library.

In the FamilySearch Digital Library there are books, only a portion of what FamilySearch has, viewable from home and those only viewable from Family History Libraries and Family History Centers just like in the catalog. Though some information can be obtained from the books you find in the digital library that you can view from home, you would only be touching the surface of what is available at FamilySearch.

I think the advantage goes to searching in the catalog. It allows you to see all possible materials. There is also the option for a 'Catalog Print List'. A list could be generated of the materials a person wishes to look through with that family name. The list would help them be organized in their research, keeping a log of what they've looked through. Then when the libraries and centers open again, they take that list with them and get right to viewing those items they couldn't from home. It saves time once you get to the library or center and keeps you focused.

 

Patricia

 

Kathy Nevin

Thanks for your response. Good suggestion.

 

Kathy