We sincerely trust that no genealogical worker who reads these lines has any other thought than that of giving the fruit of his labors6 to the public. The whole genealogical world protests against any other idea. It is a patriotic7 duty as well as a moral obligation to put it in print. Having ourselves profited from the printed pages of many a worker, shall we refuse to repay the debt?
We hope better things of every reader of this book, and assume that all his researches are to appear in print as soon as they can be put into proper shape. It matters not whether we have much or little, one page or a thousand, enough copy for a chart, a pamphlet or a volume: it should be printed and published. If we have worked out only a single ancestral line, and have no leisure for further work, or must turn away from such labor for some time to come, let us print what we have collected.
If we commit our manuscript to type, we are quite likely to receive a rich reward. Some one sees our[Pg 57] production, gets into communication with us,—being interested along the same lines,—and very soon we find ourselves learning things we long desired to know! Hundreds can tell of such experiences.
Do not hesitate to print because your work is fragmentary or incomplete. Sometimes one strikes a genealogical "snag," and, do what he may, is unable to proceed in the work of investigation8. Under these circumstances some genealogists become discouraged, holding back their entire work for years in the hope of solving their perplexities. This is the wrong way. It is much better to print the work in its incomplete form, frankly10 setting forth11 the difficulties encountered. This has many times resulted in the solution of the problem. Some one, somewhere, may hold the key, and as soon as our printed page catches his eye he will supply the needed link.
Sometimes two genealogists, unknown to each other, are at work on intersecting lines, which cause them the greatest perplexity, while each has in his hands the precise facts which would solve the other's puzzle. In this situation they may grope on for years without making material progress. If they would only print what they have completed, each would discover the complement12 of his work in the other, and each could then go on with his task rejoicing.
Printing in itself is another reward. The exultant13 thrill of actual authorship is only felt when we see our work in black and white on the pages of the[Pg 58] printed volume. This is the true goal of literary desire.
But this leads us to warn all that only correct and tasteful printing produces this result. Poor type, incompetent14 proof-reading and inferior presswork produce that which will be a perpetual eyesore and humiliation15. When we have come to the point of printing, we cannot afford to practice an undue16 economy. It is not even "good business" to do so. People do not like to add inferior specimens17 of book-making to their libraries, and every publisher knows that the quality of the printing may turn the balance and make or mar18 the success of a book.
Peculiar19 difficulties attend the printing of genealogies20 because of their charts, names and dates. We must have exact work as well as tasteful work, and neither of these things is found everywhere, while still less frequently are they found in combination.
In the first place, we would say, put your manuscript in the hands of careful and responsible parties. It is your treasure, and you cannot afford to entrust21 it to those who will not provide a safe place for it, and guard and watch over it from beginning to end.
In the second place, choose a printer who is accustomed to genealogical work. This is always preferable. Only thus can we obtain the facilities and the experience our book deserves. When the manuscript is in the hands of printers untrained to the peculiar kind of work needed, one of two results generally follows. The book is inaccurate22 in matter and[Pg 59] slovenly23 in appearance, or we may have to insist that much of the work be done over. A printer often trains himself at our expense, his bill piling up far above his estimate, while the book comes forth at last with an unmistakably amateurish24 touch everywhere apparent.
But it is not sufficient to choose a printer accustomed to genealogies. We know of some who have done this kind of work for many years, yet scarcely ever have done it well. Their books are many, but in wretched taste, some of the volumes being a disgrace to the book-maker's art. Genealogy is worthy25 of better things!
Choose a printer and publisher who has taste and enthusiasm, who is unwilling26 to resort to cheap material, ordinary type, and careless labor for the sake of a wider margin27 of profit on his contract. It is not difficult to select the right man. Examine samples of his book-work, and see if all are attractive, the lowest-priced as well as the expensive editions. If he is the right man, a touch of taste and excellence28 will appear in all his work.
Ascertain29, if possible, the character of proof-reading you will receive. The author, of course, will read his own proofs, but even if he is an experienced writer, and has carried several books through the press, he will be saved many a mistake by good proof-reading. It is a peculiar fact that a mistake which our own eye has once passed over in the manuscript is likely to escape our notice many times. But the[Pg 60] fresh eye of an expert proof-reader, versed30 in genealogical work, will detect many of these mistakes, and we will find ourselves deeply indebted to his habit of questioning doubtful points for our reconsideration.
If the reader is not himself an expert genealogist9, or is printing his first work, the services of the right kind of proof-reader are still more indispensable. But, in fact, all writers are largely dependent upon the printer and proof-reader for the systematic31 carrying out of a correct style of punctuation32, capitalization and spelling. How satisfying is the book which receives expert attention in all these details!
Finally, choose a printer and publisher who is a book-making genius. The author is dependent upon the printer for the best suggestions for style of book within the limits of cost decided33 upon. There are masters of the art of making books who, having learned the author's mind as to price, have an ability almost amounting to genius for suggesting the perfect thing within the limit named. They have the character of the work in mind, and they suggest an ideal combination of type, size of page, illustrations, paper, margins34 and style of cover. Such book-makers are readily recognized by the books they turn out. The author cannot do better than to follow their suggestions.
In a word, let your genealogy appear in the most attractive dress which you feel you can afford, and[Pg 61] you ought to feel that you can not afford anything which is unscholarly or unsightly. Do you want a book which will give you pleasure to the end of time, or one which you cannot hand to a friend without an apology? We repeat again the maxim35, that the stage of printing is no place for injudicious economy!
Have we any "practical help" to offer in this chapter? Yes, dear reader, if you desire the kind of printer's service herein described, it is offered to you by the publishers of this little book. Let the reader satisfy himself as to the quality of workmanship by examining the books which bear the stamp of The Grafton Press. If these do not tell the story, nothing can. This is the true test in every case.
We may add, however, that the Genealogical Department established in connection with The Grafton Press was organized expressly to bring together the expert co-operation necessary in order to lift every feature of genealogical work to a higher standard of excellence than now generally prevails. The supervision36 of this department extends to all the genealogical printing done by The Grafton Press.
In submitting manuscripts in order to obtain estimates of cost of printing, a general idea of the style expected should be given. For example, let it be known which of the following three kinds of book is desired:
First, the elaborate volume, made for those for whom the item of expense is not an important consideration. This book is sumptuous37, "a thing of[Pg 62] beauty and a joy forever." It is printed on fine hand-made paper, with a handsome morocco binding38, and illustrations by the very best processes.
Second, the low-priced book, very plain and strictly39 businesslike. It is as useful as the first, but the cost is kept down to the minimum. Yet, although plain, it is good, and in good taste.
Third, the book which has a place between the other two. Serviceable and of moderate cost, it is made very attractive and will give solid satisfaction during the years to come. This is the book chosen in the great majority of cases.[6]
All-important are the principles laid down in this chapter. Let the reader regard his genealogical work as an offspring to whom he owes all the care of a fond parent. It is a question of proper clothes for the child.
All this having been decided on, another duty confronts the author while his work is in process of transformation40 from a manuscript to a book. He not only has proofs to read, but also an index to make, or to have made for him. We say nothing of an index of general subjects and places; but an index of names is indispensable in order to make the contents of a genealogical work accessible. If the work is a "clan" genealogy, two indexes are called[Pg 63] for, one devoted41 to persons bearing the common surname, the other devoted to those of other surnames.
For example, in "The Smith Family" we would have one index, in which all the Smiths are arranged alphabetically43 according to their baptismal names. The generation to which each individual belonged should be shown by a small Arabic figure after his baptismal name. The other index includes all the other persons mentioned in the book, with an alphabetical42 arrangement of the different surnames. The husbands and children of Smith daughters are found in this index.
The index can be begun as soon as the page-proofs are in hand. Each name, with its page number, is generally written on a separate slip of paper, all the names under one letter being kept together. When all are written, the names under "A" can be rearranged like a card catalog, according to the alphabetical order of the second, third and fourth letters in each name, and when in proper order may be pasted upon sheets for the printer. So we continue through all the letters of the alphabet.
FOOTNOTE:
[6] Address, on all questions of printing, The Grafton Press, Genealogical and Biographical Department, 70 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Estimates given on any kind of manuscript, genealogical, historical or biographical, whether for chart, pamphlet or volume. Along with estimates, specimens of type-pages, paper, binding and illustrations will be cheerfully submitted when desired.
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1
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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2
clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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3
genealogy
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| n.家系，宗谱 | |
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4
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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5
maturity
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| n.成熟；完成；(支票、债券等)到期 | |
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labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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7
patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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9
genealogist
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| 系谱学者 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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12
complement
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| n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足 | |
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13
exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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14
incompetent
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| adj.无能力的，不能胜任的 | |
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15
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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undue
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| adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的 | |
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17
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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18
mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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20
genealogies
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| n.系谱，家系，宗谱( genealogy的名词复数 ) | |
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21
entrust
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| v.信赖，信托，交托 | |
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22
inaccurate
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| adj.错误的，不正确的，不准确的 | |
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23
slovenly
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| adj.懒散的，不整齐的，邋遢的 | |
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24
amateurish
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| n.业余爱好的，不熟练的 | |
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25
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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28
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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29
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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30
versed
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| adj. 精通，熟练 | |
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31
systematic
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| adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的 | |
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32
punctuation
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| n.标点符号，标点法 | |
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33
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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34
margins
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| 边( margin的名词复数 )； 利润； 页边空白； 差数 | |
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35
maxim
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| n.格言，箴言 | |
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36
supervision
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| n.监督，管理 | |
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sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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40
transformation
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| n.变化；改造；转变 | |
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41
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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42
alphabetical
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| adj.字母（表）的，依字母顺序的 | |
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43
alphabetically
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| adv.照字母顺序排列地 | |
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