ANN ARBOR, Mich., September 29, 2006 - ProQuest Information and Learning and Allen County Public Library (Ft. Wayne, IN) add another milestone in their longstanding alliance with the release of a significant amount of new data in the Periodical Source Index (PERSI). With this update, PERSI now contains nearly 2 million citations from over 6,500 periodicals published in the United States, Canada, and abroad. The new release includes indexing for over 235,000 articles from 2004 and 2005. No other index covers periodical research in local history and genealogy as extensively as PERSI.

“PERSI is already a tremendous resource for genealogists and local historians interested in identifying the data available in periodical literature for their research endeavors,” said Curt Witcher, Manager, Historical Genealogy Department, Allen County Public Library.  “PERSI has been substantially enhanced with this release of nearly one quarter of a million index entries.  This release also demonstrates the intense interest in and commitment of both organizations to serving the genealogical research community.  Expanded access to periodical literature published in the early part of this century will be a boon to researchers.”

PERSI is the standard for periodical research in local history and genealogy.  This comprehensive subject index covers genealogy and local history periodicals written in English since 1800.   It helps researchers quickly locate helpful articles about families, local history and records, and genealogical methodology. 

As a key component of HeritageQuest™ Online, PERSI is available online exclusively in the library market from ProQuest. On the award-winning HeritageQuest Online, users can search PERSI for surnames, places, and how-to advice, and discover publishing information.   

PERSI is an integral content set within the ProQuest Genealogy Center resources, and is a strong complement to HeritageQuest’s U.S. Federal Census, Genealogy & Local History Books, Freedman's Bank Records, and Revolutionary War Era Pension & Bounty-Land Warrants Applications. “The PERSI release is part of ProQuest's ongoing commitment to bring valuable genealogical resources to libraries and their patrons,” said Chris Cowan, ProQuest vice president of publishing.  More information on ProQuest Genealogy Center Resources can be found at www.proquest.com. 

About ProQuest
ProQuest creates specialized information resources and technologies that propel successful research, discovery, and lifelong learning. A global leader in serving libraries of all types, ProQuest offers the expertise of such respected brands as Chadwyck-Healey™, UMI®, SIRS®, and eLibrary®. With Serials Solutions®, Ulrich's™, RefWorks®, COS™, Dialog® and now Bowker® part of the ProQuest brand family, the company supports the breadth of the information community with innovative discovery solutions that power the business of books and the best in research experience.

More than a content provider or aggregator, ProQuest is an information partner, creating indispensable research solutions that connect people and information. Through innovative, user-centered discovery technology, ProQuest offers billions of pages of global content that includes historical newspapers, dissertations, and uniquely relevant resources for researchers of any age and sophistication—including content not likely to be digitized by others. Inspired by its customers and their end users, ProQuest is working toward a future that blends information accessibility with community to further enhance learning and encourage lifelong enrichment.

For more information, visit www.proquest.com or the ProQuest parent company website, www.cig.com.