History and Genealogy: A Study of the Relationship between Genealogical Research and Interest in History

Genealogists make up an important segment of libraries' and archives' user population. This study explores the connection between genealogical research and interest in history to better understand user interests and needs. A survey of three North Carolina genealogical societies was compared to the answers of graduate students at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. The results indicate that genealogists tended to be more interested in history in general than the students and revealed some common motivations for genealogical research between the two groups. Both groups enjoyed learning the context of ancestors' lives, exploring the continuity of family traits, and building a narrative. Distinct from the students, genealogists also tended to like community, the learning process, and problem-solving. These findings can help information professionals develop more effective resources for and provide better service to their genealogist patrons.Master of Science in Library Scienc