Find your roots! Start your search now. The author reviews a simple process that will help everyone be successful in their genealogy research. The author draws from his genealogical research experiences to describe the resources that are available and how to use them to find your ancestors and their history. Both Internet and archival research efforts are covered. The first part of the book gives hints that will help make your beginning research successful. The author then reviews the major resources and documents used in Genealogy research and the last section covers useful hints that go beyond the basics. This is a "must have" book for the beginning genealogy researcher.
Get Your Research in Order! Stop struggling to manage all your genealogy facts, files, and data--make a plan of attack to maximize your progress. Organize Your Genealogy will show you how to use tried-and-true methods and the latest tech tools and genealogy software to organize your research plan, workspace, and family-history finds. In this book, you'll learn how to organize your time and resources, including how to set goals and objectives, determine workable research questions, sort paper and digital documents, keep track of physical and online correspondence, prepare for a research trip, and follow a skill-building plan. With this comprehensive guide, you'll make the most of your research time and energy and put yourself on a road to genealogy success. Organize Your Genealogy features: • Secrets to developing organized habits that will maximize your research time and progress • Hints for setting up the right physical and online workspaces • Proven, useful systems for organizing paper and electronic documents • Tips for managing genealogy projects and goals • The best tools for organizing every aspect of your ancestry research • Easy-to-use checklists and worksheets to apply the book's strategies Whether you're a newbie seeking best practices to get started or a seasoned researcher looking for new and better ways of getting organized, this guide will help you manage every facet of your ancestry research.
Genealogists are like detectives. Working out puzzles is the name of their game! If you have ever wanted to research and document your family history the right way, then the award-winning Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes is for you! Authored by professional genealogist Shannon Combs-Bennett, this genealogy book explains the joys, challenges, and triumphs of researching your family's origins. While many people assume genealogy research starts online, Combs-Bennett shows the importance of starting a family tree using documents that can be found in your own home! Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes is written in a friendly, easy-to-understand style that avoids complex jargon. There are lots of examples, case studies, and advice that can help would-be family historians quickly get up to speed. In addition to listing best practices for conducting genealogical research, Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes also warns readers about the many pitfalls of family research, from "brick wall" mysteries to time-wasting online searches. Topics include: Evaluating clues, facts, and myths in family stories; The importance of linking generations; Vital records, from birth certificates to death records; Non-vital records, from census forms to wills; Religious records; Five things that can trip up newbies researching family history; Best practices for genealogy road trips; Interviewing relatives, and dealing with skeptics; Pros and cons of online genealogy research; Genealogy communities and continuing education; Genetic genealogy basics; Understanding the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA); Genetic genealogy and adoptees; Non-paternal events and other skeletons in the genetic closet; Visualizing family history with charts; Research logs and genealogy journals; How to create good source citations; Preserving records and research; Genealogy software and GEDCOM files; Planning for disasters. Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes is not a comprehensive guide. Nevertheless, in a single reading you will be able to understand some important research basics that will serve you well as you embark on a journey to figure out the origins of your family. Creating a strong family tree will not only satisfy your own curiosity, but will also serve as a record to share with relatives and future generations!
My new book includes the basic material from "Basic Genealogy" and additional new tips. Enjoy information on search tips, organization, an outline of steps to find where your European immigrants left, and the basics of using DNA testing in genealogy.
Writing a family history does not have to be an overwhelming task. This book outlines a simple process that will aid your research and create pages of information that can be read and understood by all family members. Your research will become faster and more accurate and your family can enjoy the family history. Remember, our writing should go beyond finding documents and filling in charts. Hopefully, the methods discussed in this book will show the reader a simple format that will make this task much easier. You may be reluctant to write down these stories because you do not consider yourself a writer. Our ancestors were ordinary people. Why should we write about them? All of our immigrant ancestors contributed to America’s history and their stories should be saved for our grandchildren. Our family histories should give clues of their roles and this will help us understand our roots.
Genealogists and other historical researchers have valued the first two editions of this work, often referred to as the genealogist's bible."" The new edition continues that tradition. Intended as a handbook and a guide to selecting, locating, and using appropriate primary and secondary resources, The Source also functions as an instructional tool for novice genealogists and a refresher course for experienced researchers. More than 30 experts in this field--genealogists, historians, librarians, and archivists--prepared the 20 signed chapters, which are well written, easy to read, and include many helpful hints for getting the most out of whatever information is acquired. Each chapter ends with an extensive bibliography and is further enriched by tables, black-and-white illustrations, and examples of documents. Eight appendixes include the expected contact information for groups and institutions that persons studying genealogy and history need to find. ""
When did your Polish ancestors immigrate, from where did they leave, why did they leave, and how did they get here? These are questions we all hope to find the answers. This book is designed to give the researcher the tools needed to research their Polish ancestors and find possible answers to the origins of their Polish heritage. The author, Stephen Szabados, uses his own genealogical experience to outline a simple process that will identify where your ancestors were born and where to find their Polish records. The book lists many sources of information that will add to your family history; identify where your ancestors were born and where to find their Polish records. Traditional sources are covered but it also discusses many new and exciting sources for Polish records that have been implemented by genealogy societies in Poland. The book includes many sample documents and tips that should prove useful for both the beginner and the veteran genealogist. The information in this book covers the most up-to-date collection of sources for Polish genealogy and should prove to be invaluable when doing Polish research.
This is the story of my grandfather – a very ordinary man. It covers his childhood in Poland, his immigration, and his life in America. He was a typical Polish immigrant, who immigrated to make a better life for himself. Compare his life to your ancestors. Use his life for clue that may help you understand theirs. My hope in writing this book is to share the information about the daily lives of the Polish people living in the rural areas of Poland. The book also describes some of the reasons for leaving Poland, the trek across Poland and Germany to the ports, the voyage across the North Atlantic, arrival in America and their life in their new country. I used my grandfather as the central figure in this book but this is not his biography. I used details of my grandfather's life but added accounts of other people to tell a complete life story. My grandfather was not a person whose accomplishments would be in history books. However, his life is an example of a typical Polish immigrant. I felt that tying the information to one person would make a more interesting story and easier to show the impact of various events had on our ancestor's life.
Here is a great book to help you understand your DNA test results. I tried to stay away from using scientific terms and attempted to use my genealogy skills to make sense of the data. It’s a short read at 84 pages, but I know my methods will solve DNA puzzles. Using my DNA results and basic genealogy skills, I solved a major mystery in my family tree with no paper trail or oral history. I describe the basics of each type of DNA test and why we should take each kind of test. I also compare the major testing companies. However, the critical value of this book is my explanation of how to overcome the scientific nature of the results by looking at your results using traditional genealogical skills. My explanation includes practical examples of how to use the tools, and my goal is to simplify how you analyze your results in terms that all of us as genealogists can understand. I present a case-study, where I discuss using these tools to find a biological father whose existence was a total surprise to his son. Genetics is a challenging science to understand, and many test-takers are confused by their results. So use the tools discussed in this book to demystify your DNA results. Focus on the goals you had when you ordered your test kit. Follow the clues to open up new information for your family history. DNA testing is only one tool in your genealogy tool kit, but it is a powerful tool. Use it wisely. Learn to use DNA and traditional genealogical techniques in tandem, and you will be able to harness the full value of genetic testing.
