How To Use PERSI To Improve Your Genealogy Research
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I am always excited to receive questions about learning more our ancestors beyond just the facts. Initially, genealogists look for the birth, marriage and death dates of ancestors. That’s a good thing.
But, somewhere along the way, our research gets stuck. No more tradtional records can be found and brick walls spring up. We need to know more about our ancestors and the lives of those around them to get our research moving again. We need to use other sources beyond traditional genealogy records.
We need to know things like:
Were they prominent in the community?
Were they upstanding citizens?
Were they criminals?
Did they own a plantation or work on a plantation?
We need to find articles written about the community they lived in, too.
Finding that type of information on our ancestors often requires finding and using family history periodicals.
These include historical articles, genealogical publications, ethnic publications, and even photographs. Finding the publication(s) and article(s) you need requires a finding aid such as PERSI.
How To Use PERSI In Your Genealogy Research
PERSI is the Periodical Source Index and is the locator guide of over 2.5 million publications. FindMyPast hosts the PERSI index (previously found on the Allan County Public Library site). You will need a subscription to the FindMyPast site. (You can try it out with a 14 day free trial.)
When I first started using PERSI, I was so excited I jumped right into searching.
I was not successful. [Insert long sigh…..]
Then I read the directions. [Insert sheepish grin. 😳]
The key to successfully searching PERSI for information pertinent to your ancestors is understanding how PERSI is set up and how to search it. You want to search PERSI by subject or record type – not by individual ancestors’ names. The 22 subject headings include biographies, church records, court records, etc.
Let’s get started!
From the FindMyPast homepage, click on the “Search” tab in the top toolbar.
You will then see this drop-down and you will click Newspapers & Periodicals.
You will then come to the PERSI homepage. Click PERSI and fill in your search parameters.
For example, I am interested in researching my Halifax County, VA ancestors in the church records there. Information about their religious lives can provide information about the individuals and/or about the community they lived in. Importantly, this information can lead me to other clues on my ancestors.
I entered “Halifax County, Virginia” and “Churches” in the appropriate search boxes. For now, I just left the Who field blank.
21 results were returned.
This is just a sampling of the 21 results and includes an address on Baptist history, marriage records, and cemetery records. I have researched extensively in the Halifax County, VA area and all of these are new to me! My genealogy search for my ancestors went from being stuck to having multiple research options with just one search.
[Insert genealogy happy dance here.]
Now……remember…..this is an index. We still have to find the article. It’s not hard, I promise.
First, click on the blue icon to the right of the record of interest. The periodical the article is located in is shown. In this case, the article I want was published in Volume 4, Issue 2 of the VA-NC Piedmont Genealogical Society Bulletin/Piedmont Lineages journal.
How can I get my hands on that journal? Open WorldCat in a new tab and enter the name of the periodical in the search bar.
Tip: Keep WorldCat open in a separate tab any time you are searching PERSI.
Click search. Turns out my county library has this journal. [I did not know that when I chose this example!] A 10-minute car ride will get me to this journal and the article.
I can hear your next question…..
“What if the closest repository with the publication is too far away to travel to?”
Contact your local library and ask about an inter-library loan or if they will make a copy for you. I’ve done this many times, and my local librarians have been happy to help.
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Your Take Away
Pair your PERSI search in FindMyPast with the free site WorldCat.org to obtain unique records and publications for furthering your genealogy research.
Have you used PERSI in the past? Are you currently using PERSI in your genealogy research? In the comments below, I would love to hear what you have found.
Other Posts of Interest:
- How To Use WorldCat For Your Genealogy Research
- How To Perform Your Genealogy Searches More Successfully
- How To Find & Use Google Books For Genealogy Research
16 Comments
laf
… so one must first pay for Find My Past before the ‘search’ link appears? I have shelled out so much for these index sites I am about to give up. Was PERSI not freely available before (thru Allen County Library?)
LisaL
Yes, in the past PERSI was available through the Allen County Library, but a few years ago (I’m not exactly sure how long it has been) FindMyPast and ACPL went into partnership together on the PERSI. Here’s the link for that announcement: https://www.findmypast.com/content/PERSI_Finds_New_Home_at_findmypast .
laf
Thanks, Lisa. Thank you for the tips on searching PERSI … I have in the past searched with little success. Mostly, I think my ancestors avoided being mentioned anywhere as much as possible!
mary grether
I have persi in my files but not used it got my genealogy research. now I plan to do that very thing. thanks for the hint!
LisaL
Mary, you are going to love using PERSI.
Laura Russell
Is this only for US research? I need access to records in Scotland.
LisaL
Laura, PERSI covers mostly US and Canada. I don’t any listings for Scotland. Here’s a link to learn more about what it covers: https://www.findmypast.com/articles/world-records/full-list-of-united-states-records/newspapers-and-periodicals/periodical-source-index
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Ruth Muller
Searched in person throughout Halifax for ancestors Davis. I have some records but found it interesting with this latest post on digging in to Halifax County records. I will try to follow your directions. Ruth
LisaL
Ah yes, I’ve seen the Davis family name in those Halifax County records, though I do not have any ancestors (as yet discovered) by that surname. I do see it appear as a middle name every now and then.
Lorraine
Hi Lisa,
PERSI may also be available at larger historical societies, such as Historical Society of Pennsylvania, for those who live in the area. And if you know a college student, they may have access at their college library.
Thanks for all your great tips, I always look forward to reading your articoes.
LisaL
Thanks for the tips on other places to look, Lorraine!
Ann (Johnson) Faber
Totally discouraged. The countries I am dealing with are Lithuania, Russia, Germany and Poland. My father’s side is 100% Swedish. Patience gets you a long way with Swedish records. Just wish they would quit changing the names all the time. A baby is born and the last name ends up being a combination of mother and father’s names. Anyway, have not done very much as of late. Cannot get anyplace.
LisaL
Hang in there, Ann! Eastern European genealogy is tough and an area I am not as familiar with. I plan to attend some lectures on that topic at RootsTech this year. My husband’s family traces back to Eastern Europe.
Jean white
Does PERSI have Canadian content? Often when you demonstrate a good source I try it and find there is no Canadian info available. It would be nice to know that ahead of time.
Natalie
This is great, Lisa! Thanks for providing the guidance.