America's Best - Genealogy Resource Centers by William Dollarhide and Ronald A. Bremer

This book identifies research facilities with genealogy collections at local, state, regional, and national levels. The top ten genealogy resource centers in the U.S. are listed first, followed by the locations of the best genealogy resource centers for each state. After the state listings, there are chapters for identifying the regional branches of the National Archives and the vital statistics offices for each state.

All of the genealogy resource centers identified in this book were surveyed in person. This was possible because the authors are two of the most traveled genealogists in America. Since 1972, Ron Bremer alone has traveled over a million miles and lectured at over 2,000 genealogical seminars in the U.S. and Canada. since 1985, Bill Dollarhide has also traveled and lectured extensively. Together, the authors have personally visited and surveyed the collections held in over 3,000 genealogical and historical societies, libraries, and archives in all states.

While visiting each facility, the staff was asked about their special collections, surname folder files, genealogies, periodicals, county histories, and any other resource of value to genealogists. They were especially asked about any resource that made their library or archives unique, plus any compiled index or guide to a particular set of records. Based on these personal surveys and comparisons made between the various facilities, the list of 3,000 was condensed to an elite group of about 600 facilities - the very best genealogy resource centers in America.