MyTrees.Com A Kindred Konnections Company. Locating Hidden Library Resources Problem Where do I look for Information about my Ancestors

Present Researcher Challenges The greatest challenge a researcher faces is finding that book, microfilm, or fiche that will provide the needed information about his ancestors. For instance, there are many genealogy resources at the BYU library that are extremely valuable, but little known because they are not even included in the library catalog.

Current Status of Library Catalogs. Library Catalog systems are deficient in identifying what families, graveyards, or churches, are included in a given book or microfilm.Library Catalog systems are deficient in identifying what families, graveyards, or churches, are included in a given book or microfilm. Some resources have not been indexed in the catalogs as genealogical resources.Some resources have not been indexed in the catalogs as genealogical resources. Keyword Library catalog indexes are not consistent from library to library.Keyword Library catalog indexes are not consistent from library to library.

Research Project Proposal A three tiered research project. 1. An Online Genealogy Library Catalog for BYU enhanced with links to imaged Table of Contents for each item. 2. Genealogy Library Catalog becomes an index for items in Genealogy Libraries or Archives in the US 3. Genealogy Library Catalog becomes an index for items in repositories from around the world.

First Tier Research Project All CS books at BYU include “genealogy” as a searchable keyword.All CS books at BYU include “genealogy” as a searchable keyword. Cataloged items have links to images of Table of Contents and/or Index for the item.Cataloged items have links to images of Table of Contents and/or Index for the item. Original historical manuscripts or genealogy Fiche Cataloged for Online searching. Original historical manuscripts or genealogy Fiche Cataloged for Online searching.

Second Tier Research Project. Establish Links from Genealogy Item in BYU Catalog to same item found in other LibrariesEstablish Links from Genealogy Item in BYU Catalog to same item found in other Libraries Provide a reference page with map to a Repository if it does not yet have an Internet site.Provide a reference page with map to a Repository if it does not yet have an Internet site. OCR Table of Contents so it is keyword searchable in the Genealogy CatalogOCR Table of Contents so it is keyword searchable in the Genealogy Catalog

Third Tier Research Project. Expand indexing resources beyond the Harold B Lee Library.Expand indexing resources beyond the Harold B Lee Library. Include the Library Catalogs of other notable repositoriesInclude the Library Catalogs of other notable repositories Searchable indexes across world wide resources.Searchable indexes across world wide resources. Links to Interlibrary Loan Program.Links to Interlibrary Loan Program.

In Conclusion IImplementation of this project would vastly simplify the information discovery step for the genealogy researcher This project can best be done using the extensive genealogical resources and skilled technology personnel of the BYU University.