The PERSI index is the standard for periodical research in local history and genealogy. The comprehensive subject index covers genealogy and local history periodicals written in English since 1800. Article coverage ranges from the 18th century to the present.  The 2003 edition will contain more than 1.9 million citations from more than 6,000 periodicals published in the United States, Canada and abroad. PERSI will be published later this year as a key database in ProQuest’s award-winning HeritageQuest Online, a Web-based genealogical resource available to public and academic libraries, historical and genealogical societies, and their patrons.

“PERSI is one of the most valuable genealogical databases in use today. It helps researchers quickly locate helpful articles about families, abstracts of local records and genealogical methodology.  We’re happy to create a powerful alliance in joining HeritageQuest Online’s other quality genealogy resources,” said PERSI creator and editor Michael B. Clegg of the Allen County Public Library,

"Providing robust access to such a significant group of materials as genealogical and historical periodicals is a continuation of the library's commitment to service excellence," said ACPL genealogy department and project manager, Curt Witcher.

HeritageQuest Online, recently named “Best Reference Source” by Library Journal, a publication of the American Library Association, is a premier genealogical resource combining census data, family records, local histories and other primary sources, all superbly indexed for easy access through an intuitive interface. Users may search on personal names, place, type of material, and keywords. Full-image census records are further searchable by year, surname, given name, age, gender, race, birthplace, locality, county and state. Many collections are delivered in full page image, ready for printing or PDF downloading. HeritageQuest Online is also available via remote access to users in their homes.

Free trials are available. Libraries may receive more information by contacting their account representative at 1-800-521-0600, ext 3183 or 3452 (outside the U.S., call +44-1-223-215-512) or pqsales@il.proquest.com . Editors may call 1-800-521-0600, ext 6489 or email pr@il.proquest.com .

In October 2002, Hennan’s American Public Library Rating Index ranked the Allen County Public Library fifth in the nation among libraries of its size, based on population served. It was the third year that the library has been so highly rated. The Hennan’s rankings are based on 15 factors including circulation, staffing, materials, reference service and funding levels drawn from data for 2000 compiled in the Federal-State Cooperative System.

The ACPL’s genealogical and local history collection is the largest in a public library and the world’s second largest genealogy collection (only the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, is larger).  ACPL holds the largest collection of English-language family and local history periodicals in the world.

ProQuest Company (NYSE: PQE) is based in Ann Arbor, Mich., and is a leading provider of value-added information and content to the library, classroom, automotive and powersports markets. We provide products and services to our customers through two business segments: Information & Learning and Business Solutions. Through our Information & Learning segment, which primarily serves the library and classroom markets, we aggregate and publish value-added content from a wide range of sources including newspapers, periodicals and books. Our Business Solutions segment is primarily engaged in the delivery in electronic form of comprehensive parts and service information to the automotive market. It also provides dealers in the powersports (motorcycle, marine, RV and outdoor power) markets with management systems that enable them to manage their inventory, customer service and other aspects of their businesses.

ProQuest Information and Learning is a world leader in collecting, organizing, and distributing information worldwide to researchers, faculty, and students in libraries and schools. Known widely for its strength in business and economics, general-reference, humanities, social sciences, and STM content, the company develops premium databases comprising periodicals, newspapers, dissertations, out-of-print books, and other scholarly information from more than 8,500 publishers worldwide.  Users access the information through the ProQuest® Web-based online information system, Chadwyck-Healey™ electronic and microform resources, UMI® microform and print reference products, bigchalk™ educational resources, and XanEdu™ online faculty and student resources.  For more information about ProQuest Information and Learning, visit www.il.proquest.com.