Fully updated and revised, this bestselling genealogy guide helps you tap
into the wealth of global ancestry records offers proven strategies for both
traditional and electronic research.
'How to Do Everything Genealogy' explores basic rules of genealogical
evidence, evaluation of source materials, research methods, and successful
techniques for web-based research. You'll get new information on DNA-based
records, social networking sites, blogs, podcasts, the latest hardware and
software and much more.
This book will guide in in the following:
- set up and organise your family tree
- place your ancestors into context and locate essential records of their
lives
- trace census, immigration, church, cemetery, military and property records
in the US, Canada and the UK
- locate and access documents repositories, such as libraries and archives
and their online catalogues
- conduct effective internet research
- get past brick walls and dead ends in your research
- research and verify your ancestors using genetic genealogy (DNA)
- place a "very" successful research trip
- determine the best technology for your research, including portable
devices and databases
- share your findings with family members and collaborate with other
researchers
Contents:
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part 1: Begin Your Family History Odyssey
1. Why Explore Your Genealogy?
- Start at the Beginning: Yourself and Your Family
- Discover Sources of Information in Your Own Home
- Interview All Your Relatives
- Begin to Organize What You Find
- Get Started
2. Balance Traditional and Electronic Research
- Be a Modern Genealogical Researcher
- Understand Traditional Research
- Discover Documentary Evidence and Where it is Found
- Understand Electronic Research Materials
- Integrate Traditional and Electronic Research Findings
3. Organize and Create Your Family Tree
- Evaluate Primary vs. Secondary Sources
- Recognize and Evaluate Original vs. Derivative Sources
- Apply Critical Thinking Skills to Your Genealogical Research
- Place Your Ancestors into Context
- Format Names, Dates and Locations Correctly
- Work with Pedigree Charts
- Work with Family Group Sheets
- Create Source Citations for Your Data
- Select a Family Tree Format
4. Place Your Ancestors into Context and Locate Vital Records
- Place Your Ancestors into Context
- Become a Student of History
- Use Maps to Locate the 'Right' Place to Research
- :Locate Birth, Marriage and Death Records
5. Use Census Schedules and Records to Locate Your Ancestors
- Understand and Work with United State Census Records
- Understand and Work with British and Irish Census Records
- Understand and Work with Canadian Census Records
- Locate Additional Information on the Censuses
6. Extend Your Research with Advanced Record Types
- Use Religious Records
- Obtain and Analyze Mortuary and Funeral Home Records
- Read Between the Lines in Obituaries
- Locate and Delve into Cemetery Records
- Get Inside Your Ancestor's Mind Using Wills and Probate Records
- Obtain Information from the Social Security Administration
- Consider Other Institutional Record Types
7. Use the Many Types of Military Service Records
- Expand Your Knowledge of the Military Services
- Identify Possible Sources for Military Records
- Examine Samples of Military Records
- Learn from Military Pension Records
8. Understand and Use Land and Property Records
- Locate and Use Land and Property Records in the United States
- Land and Property Records in Canada
- Learn About Land and Property Records in the United Kingdom
- Locate Land and Property Records Online
- Place Your Ancestors into Context with Property Records
9. Locate and Use Immigration and Naturalization Records
- Understand Why People Migrate
- Locate and Use U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Records
- Locate and Access Canadian Immigration Records
- Locate and Access Australian Immigration Records
- Use Strategies for Determining Your Ancestor's Ship
- Use Other Strategies for Determining Your Ancestor's Place of Origin
- Understand the Naturalization Process
- Work Immigration, Naturalization and Census Records in Tandem
Part 2: Research Methods and Strategies
10. Discover Where to Locate Documents About Your Family
- Determine Where to Look for Different Document Types
- Use Indexes, Compilations, and Other Finding Aids
- Use Libraries and Archives
- Use the LDS Family History Centre
- Consult Reference Books and Other Resources
- Deal with Closed or Limited Access to Materials
- Order Document Copies by Postal Mail and Email
- Keep Track of Your Correspondence
- Use a Research Log
11. Learn How to Successfully Research Your Ancestors on the Internet
- Categorize the Three Major Types of Internet Resources
- Categorize the Three Major Types of Genealogical Web Page Resources
- Structure Effective Searches to Locate Information (part 1)
- Structure Effective Searches to Locate Information (part 2)
- Use Mailing Lists and Message Boards to Share Information
- Locate and Use Additional Resources in Your Research
12. Research and Verify Your Ancestors Using Genetic Genealogy (DNA)
- Learn About DNA and Its Place in Genealogical Research
- Discover the Difference Between Paternal and Maternal Testing and the
Results
- Learn About Genetic Testing Services
- Join a DNA Surname Project on the Internet
- Learn More About Genetic Genealogy
13. Follow Alternative Research Paths to Locate Different Records
- Recognize when You Have Hit a 'Brick Wall'
- Take a Fresh Look at Old Documentation
- Re-evaluate the Quality of Your Sources
- Widen the Scope of Your Search to Include New and Different Sources
- Use Photographs in Your Family Research
- Switch to Another Family Member to Bypass Your Roadblock
- Seek Help from Libraries, Archives, Museums and Societies
- Engage the Help of a Professional Researcher
14. Plan a 'Very' Successful Genealogical Research Trip
- Determine the Scope of Your Trip
- Plan Your Time Effectively
- Make Appointments in Advance
- Set Up a Schedule
- Take the Right Tools With You
- Consider Taking Some Additional Tools
- Don't Forget the Money!
- Cover the On-site Territory Effectively
- Perform a Daily Reassessment
15. Harness Technology for Your Genealogical Research
- Determine What Computer Equipment is Right for Your Work
- Choose Genealogy Database Software to Support Your Genealogical Work
- Integrate Handhelds and Smartphones into Your Research
- Get Out There!
Index
Reviews:
"This book got my attention when it arrived and I am utterly amazed at the
quality and detail of its contents. George is legend in the genealogy community,
he has done it all and his advice and examples in this updated 2nd edition are
dead on. His examples are perfect and his text lean and to the point. I've done
lots of genealogy research, and I was picking up new tips in each chapter, like
this bit of advice to get access to today's 'semi-restricted' public records
found on pgs 317-318:
"... Be prepared by carrying a copy of your pedigree chart with you, along
with copies of birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates,
obituaries, and other documentation that might prove your relationship. The
fact that you 'are' prepared to prove your relationship speaks volumes to the
people from whom you make these requests."
I have recommended this book to our society instructors as well as numerous
friends. Much of the material in this book comes from George's seminars which
are always top notch. Considering the price of seminars these days, the book is
a true bargain! - G. Routh, Amazon.com
