"If you don't know your family history, you are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree." --Michael Crichton
Genealogy is the fastest growing hobby in North America. It has surpassed quilting, stamp collecting, and even gardening in popularity. In fact, a 2000 Maritz Marketing Research poll found that 60% of the American population is interested in their family history. If you are one of that 60%, the Ottumwa Public Library is the place for you. The library houses an extensive collection of resources to assist the family researcher. In addition, genealogy and reference librarians are available to help patrons in their search for “lost” family members. Why is genealogy such an intriguing hobby? According to Kim Farah, spokeswoman for the Family History Library, it is because genealogy touches on a fundamental need. “It’s universal, it crosses all faiths and cultures. Finding out who you are is in each of us. The positive benefits of knowing our heritage, of the sacrifices others have made for us, gives us a sense of responsibility and self-esteem.”
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Getting Started in Genealogy |
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Searching for lost ancestors is a bit like being a detective.
It requires patience, persistence, and perseverance, but following ancestral
clues can help you solve those familial mysteries that are so intriguing.
Your library is here to help, so are you ready to start???
Here we go…keep your eyes wide open, put on your thinking cap,
dust off your magnifying glass, and prepare to be SURPRISED!
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 03 March 2007 )
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The following is a list census records available to patrons in the Ottumwa Public Library's Genealogy room.