Concerning Genealogies: Being Suggestions of Value for All Interested in Family History — John Shaqi
Concerning Genealogies: Being Suggestions of Value for All Interested in Family HistoryAllaben, Frank
History
Concerning Genealogies: Being Suggestions of Value for All Interested in Family History
Allaben, Frank
Genealogy
In submitting manuscripts in order to obtain estimates of cost of
printing, a general idea of the style expected should be given. For
example, let it be known which of the following three kinds of book is
desired:
First, the elaborate volume, made for those for whom the item of expense
is not an important consideration. This book is sumptuous, "a thing of
beauty and a joy forever." It is printed on fine hand-made paper, with a
handsome morocco binding, and illustrations by the very best processes.
Second, the low-priced book, very plain and strictly businesslike. It is
as useful as the first, but the cost is kept down to the minimum. Yet,
although plain, it is good, and in good taste.
Third, the book which has a place between the other two. Serviceable and
of moderate cost, it is made very attractive and will give solid
satisfaction during the years to come. This is the book chosen in the
great majority of cases.[6]
All-important are the principles laid down in this chapter. Let the
reader regard his genealogical work as an offspring to whom he owes all
the care of a fond parent. It is a question of proper clothes for the
child.
All this having been decided on, another duty confronts the author while
his work is in process of transformation from a manuscript to a book. He
not only has proofs to read, but also an index to make, or to have made
for him. We say nothing of an index of general subjects and places; but
an index of names is indispensable in order to make the contents of a
genealogical work accessible. If the work is a "clan" genealogy, two
indexes are called for, one devoted to persons bearing the common
surname, the other devoted to those of other surnames.
For example, in "The Smith Family" we would have one index, in which all
the Smiths are arranged alphabetically according to their baptismal
names. The generation to which each individual belonged should be shown
by a small Arabic figure after his baptismal name. The other index
includes all the other persons mentioned in the book, with an
alphabetical arrangement of the different surnames. The husbands and
children of Smith daughters are found in this index.
The index can be begun as soon as the page-proofs are in hand. Each
name, with its page number, is generally written on a separate slip of
paper, all the names under one letter being kept together. When all are
written, the names under "A" can be rearranged like a card catalog,
according to the alphabetical order of the second, third and fourth
letters in each name, and when in proper order may be pasted upon sheets
for the printer. So we continue through all the letters of the alphabet.
FOOTNOTE:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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