Many genealogists would like to publish a family history book, and that remains a viable goal thanks to the various printing and publishing options.
A hardback book can be an expensive proposition, so some opt to put their book on a website. I would rather have a printed book to savor, or add to if need be. A website is more searchable, say, by first names — something hard to do in a book.
J. Kenneth Brantley recently published “The Brantley Family, Preachers, Planters, and Pioneers of the South,” using eight contributing editors. The majority of the book covers Brantleys found in 13 states, each with a separate chapter. The introductory maps and DNA charts help set the tone for the book and the family charts help you understand where each branch fits.
The book is nicely printed, with a full-name index and various documents included. For anyone with a link to the Brantley name it is well worth having, and it’s a good example for others to follow. It is available for $67.50 plus $8.50 shipping (total $76) from J. Kenneth Brantley, 4750 Oakleigh Manor Dr., Powder Springs, GA 30127. Contact him at brantleyassoc@bellsouth.net or 770-428-4402.
If you don’t want to do a hardback book — or have already done one but need to update it — you might publish the revised edition online, as Robert Brooks Casey did in 2005 with his “Brooks Family History” at www.rcasey.net. That makes the revised and expanded version free; the downside is that if you are at a library looking at the 1982 edition, you might never suspect there’s an updated version.
Family history collections
Many Georgia libraries have good collections of family histories, most of which are published as books, but some of which are one-of-a-kind copies of a work found nowhere else.
Since most of these are not going to be found online, you’ll have to check in person at the Georgia Archives, Atlanta History Center, the Cobb County Library in Marietta, Washington Memorial Library in Macon and Columbus Public Library, to name a few. Check online catalogs to see what exists.
If you ever have a chance to purchase a family history book, you should do it, as they often go out of print, the authors pass on, and it can be difficult later on to find copies.
Cobb library hours
The Georgia Room of the Cobb County Library is now open until 9 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, and until 6 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; it is closed on Sundays.
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