Gifts for genealogy buffs

By Kenneth H. Thomas Jr.

For the AJC

What would a genealogist want for Christmas, besides the discovery of some unknown ancestor to add to their records?

If such a family member or friend is on your list, consider traditional gifts such as:

* Reference books from one of the major genealogy publishers

* A year's membership in a local genealogical or historical society, or both

* A subscription to a genealogy magazine or copies of current issues of several titles, available at larger bookstores

* Renewal of  their online subscription to a favorite genealogy website or maybe a new subscription

One gift that does not cost anything but time would be to sit down with your family genealogist and let them tell you what they have found and why they enjoy the pastime. In my family, very few members have ever actually asked me about my 50 years of research or shown much interest in my findings. Many of the family stories we have learned need to be passed on -- or at least written down -- in the hope that someone, someday may be interested.

To be a good listener could be the best gift of all.

Atlas of East and Coastal Georgia

Paul K. Graham, author of two books on the 1805 Georgia Land Lottery, has just published "Atlas of East and Coastal Georgia, Watercourses and Militia Districts." This book includes a map for each of 50 counties where land was originally distributed under the headright and bounty land systems that preceded the lotteries. Each map shows the watercourses and the militia districts that are used to describe land in land grants, deeds and tax records. There are three indexes, two covering the militia districts, one by number and the other by name, and the third listing the watercourses. There is also a selected bibliography of published land records. This slim but valuable work will help anyone researching this area of Georgia to help highlight where their ancestors lived. Graham has studied the original information and other maps to make this the most authoritative work on the subject. Published by the Genealogy Company, it is available only via Amazon.com. There is a link at www.pkgraham.com/atlas. The cost is $14.95 plus $3.99 postage.

Archives secrets

The Georgia Archives holds many Georgia records, both in their building and on their website. When visiting, don't forget to check the shelves of oversized books. If you are a browser, you could miss some valuable county and family histories that are not on the regular shelves.

On the website, www.georgiaarchives.org, there are now many county marriage books on microfilm that can be searched for free.