George K. Schweitzer

Title: Missouri Genealogical Research
Author: Schweitzer, George K, PhD, ScD
Publishing Information: Self-Published (1997)
General Statement: George K Schweitzer, PhD, ScD has written a great number of genealogy research methodology books that have been very well received. This one is no different.
Review:
 This book was written in 1997 and there is a brief one-page discussion on Internet resources for Missouri research. The actual URLs may have changed, for example: Anne Hood’s MO Page Site is now located at https://sites.rootsweb.com/~mogenweb/surpage/ahmolink.htm rather than the site listed in the book.
 Note: Much of what the book covers can be located on the ‘Missouri’ Wiki page on the familysearch.org website which is very detailed. https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Missouri,_United_States_Genealogy , however, if you prefer to read from a book rather than the internet this book may work well for you.
 The step-by-step approach checklist on page 154 may be helpful.
Chapters:
 Missouri Background
o Interesting waterway network maps, early Missouri settlement area maps, and several maps of the various Missouri counties.
o Includes recommended readings some of which I was able to locate online such as his ‘next step’ for a more detailed Missouri history, “Historic Missouri: A Pictorial Narrative”, Compiled by The State Historical Society of Missouri, 140 pages, which I was able to read online at www.jstor.org with a free account.
o Good information on migration from other states.
 Types of Records
o Details common types of records and includes information on regional publications and WPA works.
o Information on major record repositories.
o There are an interesting couple of pages on manuscripts
that I did not find on the Missouri Wiki, however, the
Wiki does cover the repositories so with some digging
you can probably find more information.
 Record Locations
o You can probably locate much of what is included in this
chapter with an internet search or on the many online
databases such as Ancestry.com, Heritage Quest,
familysearch.org, etc.
 Research Procedure & County Listings
o Step-by-step procedures for Missouri research which
include 1) Finding the County; 2) Research approaches
which includes a step-by-step checklist.
o The rest of the book gives details on county formation
dates and lists the records that are held by each county.
No Index
MCGS Librarian… (mehr)

Title: Tennessee Genealogical Research
Author: Schweitzer, George K., Ph.D., Sc.D.
Publishing Information: Self Published, 1986, 138 pgs
General Statement:
Although this book is nearly 40 years old and does not include any online research options, much of what is discussed will be helpful for Tennessee researchers. Dr. Schweitzer has written numerous well-received genealogy research guidebooks and this one is no different.
Basic Review:
As an early Tennessee researcher, I have found this book, over the years, to be helpful. The book includes general background information on Tennessee including information on migration routes; the types of records that you might find and where they are located; and county listings with details such as date of formation, records, and information on record losses. Unfortunately, there is no index, but the chapters are short and the Table of Contents is detailed.
Chapters:
I Tennessee Background:
Details on geography, settlements, military, transportation routes, and additional suggested readings. Miscellaneous hand-drawn maps are also included.
II Types of Records:
Discussion on records groups from Bible Records to Death Records, Genealogical Periodicals, Manuscripts, Territorial Papers, etc.
III Record Locations:
In this chapter, Dr. Schweitzer suggests that you review the holdings of several archives and libraries before visiting the county of your ancestors.
Although this section related to The Tennessee State Library and Archives and the Family History Library discusses physically visiting the library some of their collections are now online so some of what you read about in this chapter may possibly be found online. For example, there is an ‘Index of Family Bible Records’ online at the Tennessee State Library and Archives that includes online images as well as other online database collections that could be of help.
IV County Listings:
Counties are listed alphabetically and include information on various record holdings as well as date of formation and years of lost records, local libraries, and for some, titles of local county history books. For example, the Hickman County history listing includes ‘A History of Hickman County’ by J.D. and D.L. Spence which can be read online on familysearch.org.
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