Reseñas proporcionadas por Syndetics
Library Journal Review
This is a compilation of data from four previous BRB "Public Record Research Library" titlesThe Sourcebook of County Asset/Lien Records (1994), The MVR Book: Motor Services Guide (1995. 5th ed.), The Sourcebook of County Court Records (LJ 2/15/94), and The Sourcebook of State Public Records (1994). This directory of county, state, and federal public record offices in the United States lists sources for many types of public records, including real estate, motor vehicle, corporate, criminal, civil, small claims, probate, tax lien, and vital records. Information provided in each listing includes a complete address, time zone, telephone number, and hours of operation. Each section is prefaced by pertinent remarks and advice for records searchers, and the section on state records is supplemented by a table summarizing access restrictions. This unique volume provides leads to information frequently requested by genealogists, landlords, collection agents, and attorneys. Recommended for public, academic, business, and legal reference collections.Patrick Ragains, Montana State Univ. Libs., Bozeman (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
CHOICE Review
Although intended for librarians, this directory is suitable for genealogical researchers and business or government administrators who need public record information. More than 11,500 county, state, and federal public record offices are listed in three color-coded sections. The first and largest section lists county courts and real estate recorder offices. Addresses, phone numbers, time zones, hours of operation, and brief descriptions of court jurisdictions are given for each office. Section two lists state agencies with public record responsibilities (state archives, departments of vital records, corporation departments, etc.). Section three lists addresses and phone numbers of federal court districts and National Archives regional records centers. Each section has a brief introduction that provides organizational notes, record descriptions, and researching tips for the novice. By covering county, state, and federal repositories, this guide combines the material found in Elizabeth Bentley's County Courthouse Book (1990) and Thomas Kemp's Vital Records Handbook (1988). A few errors will be spotted in this first edition (the zip code for the Louisiana State Archives should be 70809), but the state agency arrangement is exceptionally efficient, the color coding facilitates quick reference, and the combination of county, state, and federal public record offices in one volume is truly beneficial. Recommended for public and academic libraries, and libraries with genealogical clientele. D. E. Richards; University of Southern Mississippi
Booklist Review
The locations of public records in this guide have been compiled and condensed from the publisher's database and four of its nine sourcebooks (e.g., The Sourcebook of County Court Records; The Sourcebook of Federal Courts, U.S. District and Bankruptcy [RBB De 15 93]). The more than 11,500 listings are its core, with introductory matter serving as a concise guide to access. The guide is arranged in three levels: county courts and recorders offices (white pages), state agencies (yellow pages), and federal courts (blue pages). Summaries for each level provide overviews of records organization and searching hints. The listings are essentially name, address, and telephone numbers, with time zones and office hours for county and state offices. Editor's notes point researchers to relevant sourcebooks that provide particulars about courts and cases. In the county-records section the real estate recording office is listed first, followed by court listings noting the kinds of records found at that location (felony, misdemeanor, etc). If vital records are a county function, they are listed also The state section's opening article surveys search strategies for business records, lien and security interest records, and individual records. A real convenience is topical indexing: locations for DMV, legislation, and vital statistics, for instance, can be quickly found. A state public-records restriction chart indicates to whom these records are available. The federal-records section lists more than 600 court locations in U.S. District Courts, Bankruptcy Courts, Courts of Appeals, and Federal Records Centers. Addresses include division and district offices. A chart cross-references each state to its corresponding circuit court, appeals court, and Federal Records Center. Reference librarians and other researchers will find this volume a clear and efficient introduction to public-records organization and searching. The editors have produced a practical reference that will be welcome in public libraries, especially those that haven't been able to purchase the more specialized titles from this publisher. (Reviewed July 1995)
