The Internet has made learning about one’s ancestors easier than ever. But
the enormous number of websites devoted to the subject can also make the process
seem overwhelming - the beginner and experience genealogists alike.
Which ones are trustworthy, and which will leave them empty-handed?
Comprehensive and easy to use, this guide helps would-be genealogists sort
through the mountain of genealogy information that is now available online. The
authors have evaluated hundreds of resources to write this book, and in these
pages recommend the best ones.
What's more, hey offer proven advice for moving the research along and
verifying facts. They also provide fund and rewarding projects that can be
completed based on your research - including scrapbooking, publishing your story
and creating a blog or website to share with family members and fellow
researchers.
Please note, as this is a US published book, some of the website mentioned
are US orientated, but many are general and apply to researchers anywhere.
Contents:
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. An Educated Traveler
- Your Education Begins
- A Question of Form
- Visit These Web Sites First!
- The Research Process
- Let's Get Organized
- Looking Ahead
2. Tools You'll Use
- What's Your Pleasure?
- Top Programs for PCs
- Top Programs for Macs
- Genealogy Software Utilities
- Looking Ahead
3. Keep Your Records Straight or Lose Your Way
- In the Computer Lane
- Along the Paper Trail
- Chart Your Course
- Rest Stop
- Looking Ahead
4. Understanding the Records
- Making Sense of the Census
- It's Vital!
- Excavating Land Records
- Marching Toward Military Records
- Shipping Out - Ancestors Sailing In
- Mapping Your Way
- Looking Ahead
5. Online Stops You Won't Want to Miss
- Must-Visit Sites
- Websites You 'Should' Visit
- Sites That Keep You Going
- Looking Ahead
6. Up Against the Wall
- Alternatives Abound
- Step by Step, Over the Brick Wall
- Search Down the Street and Around the Corner
- A Toolbox for Chipping Away at Those Brick Walls
- Swimming in the Gene Pool - DNA
- Looking Ahead
7. Meet Your Neighbours
- Making Family Connections
- Loading Up on GEDCOMs
- Bus Is the Information Any Good?
- Step into Society
- Looking Ahead
8. Take Your Place on the Web
- Set Your Sites
- Web Site or Blog?
- Spinning a Web (Site)
- Blogs Away!
- Give a Little, Get a Little
- Looking Ahead
9. Plan a Road Trip
- It's All in the Pre-Planning
- Once You Get There
- Upon Returning
- Looking Ahead
10. Leave a Living Legacy
- Your Own History Book
- Think Outside the Family History Box
- What to do With Your "Stuff"
- Looking Ahead
Appendix: Online Ethnic Resources
Useful Genealogy Terms
Index
