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- This column prepared for week ni^/]// /r /	/ 9 J J /
&f)z Challenge of ^enealogp
by MARIE WISE
A DIARY is proof that a person lived during a certain time, at certain places, knew certain people, had certain experiences, and cared enough about his (or her) life to describe it.
Usually written for oneself alone, a diary is often one of the most truthful and revealing records in existence. Diarists wrote about how they felt and what they saw and experienced ? not how they thought they should have felt or how they thought they should have interpreted what happened.
What was it like for an ancestor to come over by ship from Europe? To live in a home town a hundred years ago? To travel overland in a wagon? To live a pioneer?s life? To serve in the Civil War?
Such experiences ?come alive? from diaries (written for personal reasons) or journals (kept as part of accomplishing a job or assignment but almost always with varying amounts of personal opinions, experiences, etc.)
Many of these writings have been put into print through the years and are available ? as the writers had rarely intended ? for the interest and information of genealogists and other readers.
AMERICAN
DIARIES
American Diaries, Volume 2: Diaries Written from 1845 to 1980 as compiled by Laura Arksey, Nancy Pries and Marcia Reed outlines some 3,250 diaries reflecting events of the times as recorded by their authors.
Arranged chronologically from the year the diary was begun, each entry begins with name of the diarist, time period, where and when published (in books, periodicals, etc.), by whom edited, other biblio-grahic data.
Each summary of contents tells what the diary or journal is about and gives info on the diarist, historic events mentioned, traveling, religious affiliations, people and places named, local and social customs, other experiences of interest. Note: These are not excerpts from the diaries but summaries of what they
contain.
This Volume 2 is a companion volume to No. 1 published in 1983 and containing summaries of diaries and journals written by Americans 1492-1980.
A large volume, 8'A x 11 in., containing over 500 pages with name, subject and geographic indexes, this reference work is handsomely produced and presented. Hardcover, $98.00, available from: Gale Research Co., Book Tower, Detroit, MI 48226.
AUGUST 3-5 INSTITUTE
The L. W. Anderson Genealogical Library will hold its first annual Institute on August 3-5, Monday through Wednesday, at the library in Gulfport, Miss.
Morning and afternoon classes will be held on both Beginner and Advanced level by lecturers: Mary McCampbell Bell, Sharon Sholars Brown, James L. Hansen, Michael Hill, Helen Leary, Dr. Gary Mills and Marsha Hoffman Rising.
Directed by Anne S. Anderson with Ms Rising, C.G. as coordinator, topics for this institute will include: Newspaper Research, the National Archives, Irish Research, the DAR Library, NUMAC, Spanish Families, Research in Territorial Records, the Library of Congress, Virginia Research, the Claims Commission, Tracing French-Canadian Ancestors, Methodology, etc.
The L.W. Anderson Genealogical Library will open for extended hours during this Institute.
For an application form, include self addressed, stamped long envelope with request to: L. W. Anderson Library Institute, P. O. Box 1647, Gulfport, MS 39502.
QUERIES
Please limit queries to maximum of 50 words giving pertinent names, dates and places. Queries require LA connection. Notices of workshops, etc. must be received four to six weeks in advance. Books reviewed when sample copy is submitted. Marie Wise, Rt.l, Box 1022, Sulphur, LA 70663.