Shopping Saturday: Ideas for the Genealogist on Your List

My sister asked me recently what books I would like for Christmas. Normally I really do not like when people ask what I want because then it’s always a let down when I’m expecting something and it never comes. However, I decided it may be useful to create a “genealogy wish list” for myself.

So, in no particular order, my list includes:

1. Barry, John M. The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History. Penguin Books, 2005.
2. Caldwell-Crosby, Molly. The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History. Berkley, 2006.
3. Aizic, Anna. The Circles of Life: My Ukrainian Family’s Odyssey of Secrets, Love and Survival from Pre-War Odessa to the Promised Land from America. 2014.
4. Levi, Primo. Survival in Auschwitz. Touchstone, 1995.
5. Rees, Laurence. Auschwitz: A New History. Public Affairs, 2005.
6. Steiner, Jean-Francois. Treblinka. Plume, 1994.
7. Pakula, Hannah. An Uncommon Woman – The Empress Frederick: Daughter of Queen Victoria, Wife of the Crown Prince of Prussia, Mother of Kaiser Wilhelm. Simon & Schuster, 1997.
8. MacMillan, Margaret. The War That Ended Peace: The Road to 1914. Random House, 2014.
9. Shown Mills, Elizabeth. Evidence Explained: Citing History Source from Artifacts to Cyberspace. Third Edition.
10. Rupp, Daniel. A Collection of Upwards of Thirty Thousand Names of German, Swiss, Dutch, French and other Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776. Genealogical Publishing, 1965.

Subscriptions and memberships are another great idea for the genealogist on your list.

1. Give the gift of Polish heritage with a Polish Genealogical Society membership. The best membership rate is for fast electronic delivery of the Rodziny quarterly journal at the current rate of $25 for a one year membership. This journal has many articles of interest to Polish genealogists. For more information see the website, pgsa.org and click on membership.
2. Consider your local historical society. For example, I have a membership in the Lancaster County Historical Society as well as the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. You may also consider a membership in a society that is local to where the research takes you. The Chester County Historical Society would be a wise choice for someone researching in Chester County.
3. Ancestry.com offers subscriptions and renewal deals this time of year. Other useful websites are: Fold3, Newspapers.com, and FindMyPast.com.
4. I normally get my magazines at Barnes & Noble but a subscription to one or more would be a great gift as well. Your genealogist may enjoy: Your Genealogy, Internet Genealogy, and Family Tree Magazine.

Other Items

1. USB drive. A USB drive is a great inexpensive gift for anyone who collects data. A lanyard would also be helpful. This way your genealogist can carry it around on their person without loosing it.
2. Scanner. My printer is an HP Officejet Pro 8620 and I can do anything with it. It has been a godsend.
3. Office supplies. Every researcher can use a variety of office supplies. Last year I had just picked up the above printer and my sister asked what I needed. I can do need lists so much better than want lists! She got me a box of paper. I still have a few reams left. Other office supplies include: file folders, post it notes, pencils and paper clips.
4. Magazine holders. I have a hard time throwing away anything, including magazines. At the moment they are literally piled up on my shelf. Magazine holders would keep them better organized.

These are just a few ideas for your genealogist. Merry Christmas!

Shopping Saturday is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers.

© Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2015