Some dictionaries describe terminology which may be encountered in a particular country while others provide the origins and meanings of surnames. Genealogists will probably wish to check surname literature at some point during their research. This can enable a genealogist to identify parts of a country where a name is or was prevalent. A Dictionary of Surnames is one of many resources in this area. There are also separate surname dictionaries for many ethnicities.
Most libraries have several biographical works useful for genealogists.
Even if a genealogist does not have famous ancestors, there may be distant relatives that have achieved some notoriety. The information provided about these distant relatives may provide the names of spouses, parents, and children who are directly related to the genealogist. A New Cyclopedia and The National Cyclopedia of American Biography . Other biographical sources can be found in Robert Slocum's bibliography, Biographical Dictionaries and Related Works . A Biographical Dictionary and Current Biography .