Reading and Researching the Literature

Professional genealogists recognize that much of their growth comes not only from classes but also from reading. The genealogical literature—journals, periodicals, books, and guides—provides a steady stream of case studies, methodologies, and scholarship. By engaging with the literature, genealogists sharpen their reasoning, learn from others’ examples, and stay current with evolving standards.

Core Journals

Several peer-reviewed journals set the benchmark for genealogical scholarship:

• National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ): Known for its proof arguments and case studies, NGSQ publishes some of the most challenging and instructive work in the field. Reading its articles helps genealogists understand how to resolve conflicts, build arguments, and meet the GPS.
• The American Genealogist (TAG): A long-standing journal focusing on New England and beyond. Its articles often provide detailed reconstructions of families based on complex sources.
• The Genealogist (published by the American Society of Genealogists): Offers advanced studies, often tackling thorny problems with extensive documentation.

These journals are not casual reading; they are classrooms in print. Each article demonstrates how experts handle evidence, structure arguments, and frame conclusions.

Society Newsletters and Regional Publications

Local and regional societies publish newsletters and journals that often highlight unique resources, such as courthouse records, cemetery transcriptions, or church registers. While not always as scholarly as NGSQ, these publications provide valuable context and sources not available elsewhere. For genealogists working in a specific state or county, these are essential.

Methodology Texts

Certain books function as touchstones for professional practice. Elizabeth Shown Mills’s Evidence Explained sets the gold standard for citation and analysis. Thomas W. Jones’s Mastering Genealogical Proof provides exercises to internalize the GPS. Reading these works—and rereading them periodically—reinforces best practices.

Developing a Reading Plan

With so much material available, genealogists benefit from creating a reading plan. For example:

• Read one NGSQ article per month, summarizing key lessons.
• Subscribe to society journals in research areas of focus.
• Maintain a bibliography of relevant articles for ongoing reference.

Study groups can add accountability, with members meeting to discuss recent articles or chapters.

Why Reading Matters

Reading the literature not only improves research but also strengthens writing. Seeing how experts construct arguments inspires clearer organization and sharper prose. It also keeps genealogists connected to the larger professional conversation, ensuring that their methods and conclusions align with current standards.

Reading is professional development in its most accessible form. Journals, newsletters, and books form a living classroom, available anytime and anywhere. For genealogists serious about improvement, consistent engagement with the literature is indispensable.

Citations

• National Genealogical Society Quarterly. https://www.ngsgenealogy.org.
• The American Genealogist (TAG). https://americangenealogist.org.
• Mills, Elizabeth Shown. Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace. 3rd ed. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2015.
• Jones, Thomas W. Mastering Genealogical Proof. Arlington, VA: National Genealogical Society, 2013.