Elizabeth Shown Mills' stunning book, Evidence!, provides the family
history researcher with a reliable standard for both the correct form of source
citation and the sound analysis of evidence. In successful genealogical
research, these two practices are inseparable, and the author's treatment of
this little-understood concept is nothing short of brilliant.
This dual-track theme is introduced early on, and is best summed up in a few
choice paragraphs from the introduction: "Successful research--research
that yields correct information with a minimum of wasted time and funds--depends
upon a sound analysis of evidence. Source citation is fundamental, but it
is not enough. The validity of any piece of evidence cannot be analyzed if its
source is unknown. Citing a worthless source is an effort that produces
worthless results.
"Research, evidence, citation, and analysis are inseparable. Evidence is
the vehicle that moves our research from curiosity to reality. Citation and
analysis are the twin highways that get us there, smoothly and safely.
"Evidence! tries to strip away much of the confusion that
researchers experience in this adventure. It offers a road map for beginners,
who hope to avoid mistakes, and guideposts for the advanced, who already
appreciate the need to map their own course precisely. . . .
"Evidence! stems from the belief that most researchers want to do
good work. We simply need guidelines and explicit models--ones tailored to
genealogy and to the original sources we commonly use but cannot find discussed
in The Chicago Manual of Style, the MLA Handbook, or similar
manuals aimed at a broader marker."
CONTENTS
Introduction
Part 1
Fundamentals of citation
Fundamentals of analysis
Part 2
Citation formats
Appendixes
Sample: documented family group sheet
Sample: documented ancestor chart
Guidelines for citing credentials
Bibliography
Index
"Not just every genealogist, but every historian as well, should own
a copy. Evidence! is filled with useful information that is
difficult to find elsewhere."--Grady McWhiney, Ph.D. Lyndon Baines
Johnson Professor Emeritus, Texas Christian University.
"Evidence! provides librarians, archivists and others a manual
to hand genealogists as a solid guide, to make research easier for themselves
and future readers."--Eric G. Grundset, M.L.S. Director, Daughters of
the American Revolution Library; Vice President, National Genealogical Society
"Evidence! is for all of us--the novice, the
experienced family historian, and those who come into genealogy from other
academic environments. The wide-ranging citation formats cover not only
traditional sources but the latest technological ones."--Cameron Allen,
J.D. Professor Emeritus of Law, Rutgers University; President, American Society
of Genealogists
ALSO BY ELIZABETH SHOWN MILLS
Professional
Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians
Editorial Reviews
"In this book, one of America's foremost genealogical
scholars has taken on a Herculean task and accomplished it superbly...Elizabeth
Mills has provided the best single source for genealogical documentation and a
seminal discussion of genealogical analysis. This is a book that every
genealogist should be required to own."--THE AMERICAN GENEALOGIST, Vol.
73, No. 3 (July 1998), p. 233.
"Evidence!...earns high marks for both cogency of argument and
felicity of expression."--THE PENNSYLVANIA GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE, Vol.
40, No. 3 (Spring/Summer 1998), p. 266.
"The importance of [Mills'] book to every genealogist cannot be
understated...we can heartily recommend this book. Every genealogist should
own a copy."--THE NEW YORK GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,
Vol. 129, No. 1 (January 1998), p. 53.
"Anyone planning to publish their family history research would do well to
study Elizabeth Shown Mills' slim volume thoroughly...Evidence! joins the
recent parade of excellent genealogical guides. This book is full of points to
be pondered..."--THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER,
Vol. 151, No. 604 (October 1997), pp. 488-490.
