California Genealogical Society blog: Our Library Collections: World History

Pat Summit - one of 51 Outstanding Young
Women in America in 1983

One in a series by CGS member Chris Pattillo, highlighting some of our holdings at the CGS Library in Oakland. For a fuller listing of books, journals, and more, consult the CGS Library catalog in WorldCat.

Today I came to the library to tackle our books on world history but before I could start I could not help but notice a "Who’s Who" book about women in history. Turns out we have seven books in this category–each covering a different time period. The earliest covers 1914-1915 and the most recent is Outstanding Young Women of America 1983. The preface explains that each year, fifty-one women are selected who represent outstanding achievement in their fields. From those, ten are identified as National Award Winners. In 1983 Pat Summit, then assistant coach of the Tennessee women’s basketball team was recognized. Prior to her coaching career, she was co-captain of the USA Woman’s Olympic basketball team in 1976. All previous winners are listed in alphabetical order in the 1485-page book. Each listing includes a short bio summarizing the accomplishments of these women. So, if you are hoping to add a famous ancestor to your tree you might want to check section CT 3235.69 to 70. I found one Pattillo–Marilyn Machon Pattillo from Texas was a nurse researcher.

Now, back to World History in section D. It's further subdivided into DA (History of Great Britain and Ireland), DC (History of France), DL (History of Scandinavia) and DU 620 (Hawaii).

A page from Honor Roll

We have a five-volume set (numbers seven to eleven)of Honor Roll World Wars I-II and Korean War Service Records of the Husbands, Sons, Daughters, etc. of the California Members of the DAR. These books were donated by Mrs. O. “Verna” George Cook, State Regent, 1956-1958 and they appear to be part of an original set of war record books that were typed by Mrs. Jules Mertens in 1946. Each entry is typed onto a pre-printed form that provides a wealth of genealogical information. In addition to name, address, date and place of birth, maiden name, rank and regiment, the book notes the service member's condition (wounded or disabled), citation or award, and a few additional facts.

Heroes All lists names of those recognized
by the U.S. government for service in WWI

The section includes several books with military information. Heroes All by Harry R. Stringer was published in 1919. This book is signed and has two news clippings from the 1930s on the dedication page. It is “a compendium of the names and official citations of the soldiers and citizens of the United States and of her Allies who were decorated by the American Government for exceptional heroism and conspicuous service above and beyond the call of duty in the war with Germany, 1917-1919."

World War II Military Records: A Family Historian’s Guide by Debra Johnson Knox gives information on how and where to find records of military personnel.

The history of Great Britain and Ireland make up the greatest part of our World History book collection, occupying eleven and a half shelves. We have one book on Hungary, eight books on French history and several for Germany. Check the Library of Congress listing online and you might find that CGS has a book covering the country you are interested in.