A Dictionary of Family History


Book Description

An A-to-Z genealogy reference for those who want to research their family trees. Part encyclopedia, part dictionary, part almanac, this is a practical, easy-to-use reference, filled with thousands of fact-filled A-to-Z entries. You’ll find: *definitions of genealogy terms *timelines *details of available archives and websites *advice on research methods *explanations of genealogical peculiarities and puzzles that would test the knowledge of even veteran researchers With an emphasis on families with ancestors from Great Britain, this book includes many intriguing historical tidbits, such as the mechanics of the first census. For those interested in family, local, and social history, it’s both a useful tool and an enjoyable compendium.




Practical Genealogy


Book Description

Uncover facts and mysteries of your ancestors—a clear approach to genealogy The pursuit of family history tends to be shaped by several motives, including finding a larger familial historical picture, preserving the past for future generations, and storytelling. Practical Genealogy provides a method for investigating your family history by establishing an understanding of genealogy and the factors, tasks, and obstacles involved in the research. The end goal: find the information necessary to piece together your heritage. Follow 50 steps that will fill in the puzzle of your lineage. Learn how to perform your own investigation through the lens of real-world obstacles like tracing ancestry through adoptions and orphanages. Practical Genealogy simplifies and breaks down the complex research process into actionable tips that can be conducted over a period of time. And most importantly, no blood test is necessary. Inside Practical Genealogy you'll find: Break through barriers—Learn how to negotiate common "brick wall" issues like missing chunks of family history or multiple names found for the same person. Case studies—Examples of actual genealogy research are provided to support the comprehension of each step of your exploration. See the BIG picture—Large fonts and easy-to-read images make learning easy for older adults. When you take genealogy research into your own hands, your potential for discovery is limitless.




Ancestry magazine


Book Description

Ancestry magazine focuses on genealogy for today’s family historian, with tips for using Ancestry.com, advice from family history experts, and success stories from genealogists across the globe. Regular features include “Found!” by Megan Smolenyak, reader-submitted heritage recipes, Howard Wolinsky’s tech-driven “NextGen,” feature articles, a timeline, how-to tips for Family Tree Maker, and insider insight to new tools and records at Ancestry.com. Ancestry magazine is published 6 times yearly by Ancestry Inc., parent company of Ancestry.com.




Family Tree Memory Keeper


Book Description

Record Your Family History! From the editors of Family Tree Magazine, this workbook makes it easy to record and organize your family history. Family Tree Memory Keeper helps you keep track of basic genealogy information and special family memories, including traditions, heirloom histories, family records, newsworthy moments, family migrations and immigrations, old recipes, important dates, and much more. This book features: • Dozens of fill-in pages to record all your essential family information. • Convenient paperback format for writing and photocopying pages. • Space for mounting photographs. • Maps to mark your family's migration routes. • Tips for researching your family history. • A comprehensive list of additional resources. Use Family Tree Memory Keeper to log your genealogy research. Bring it to family get-togethers to gather and share information. Create an invaluable record of your ancestry for future generations.




Sharing Your Family History Online


Book Description

An expert genealogist explains how to share your family history online and collaborate with distant relatives to build a richer ancestral story. For many enthusiasts pursuing their family history research, the online world offers a seemingly endless archive of digitized materials. In addition to hosting records, however, the internet also offers a unique platform on which we can host our research and potentially connect with distant relatives from around the world. In Sharing Your Family History Online, genealogist Chris Paton demonstrates the many ways we can present our research and encourage collaboration online. He details helpful organizations and social media applications, describes the software platforms on which we can collate our stories, and illustrates the variety of ways we can publish our stories online. Along the way, Paton also explores how we can make our research work for us, by connecting with experts and relatives who can help solve ancestral mysteries. This happens not only by sharing stories, but by accessing uniquely held documentation by family members around the world, including our shared DNA.




The Psychology of Family History


Book Description

This important book examines the motives that drive family historians and explores whether those who research their ancestral pedigrees have distinct personalities, demographics or family characteristics. It describes genealogists’ experiences as they chart their family trees including their insights, dilemmas and the fascinating, sometimes disturbing and often surprising, outcomes of their searches. Drawing on theory and research from psychology and other humanities disciplines, as well as from the authors’ extensive survey data collected from over 800 amateur genealogists, the authors present the experiences of family historians, including personal insights, relationship changes, mental health benefits and ethical dilemmas. The book emphasises the motivation behind this exploration, including the need to acknowledge and tell ancestral stories, the spiritual and health-related aspects of genealogical research, the addictiveness of the detective work, the lifelong learning opportunities and the passionate desire to find lost relatives. With its focus on the role of family history in shaping personal identity and contemporary culture, this is fascinating reading for anyone studying genealogy and family history, professional genealogists and those researching their own history.




Family History Detective


Book Description

This all-ages guide makes genealogy fun and exciting. You'll find answers to all your family history questions using the simple, achievable steps found inside. Family History Detective includes: • Tips on how to find family history information in your own home • Websites, resources and techniques for online research • Complete instruction on locating and using census, courthouse and church records • An overview of library and archive research • Instructions on how to plan, record and organize your research • Fun ways to share your discoveries with others




Write Your Family History: Easy Steps to Organize, Save and Share


Book Description

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.




Ancestry magazine


Book Description

Ancestry magazine focuses on genealogy for today’s family historian, with tips for using Ancestry.com, advice from family history experts, and success stories from genealogists across the globe. Regular features include “Found!” by Megan Smolenyak, reader-submitted heritage recipes, Howard Wolinsky’s tech-driven “NextGen,” feature articles, a timeline, how-to tips for Family Tree Maker, and insider insight to new tools and records at Ancestry.com. Ancestry magazine is published 6 times yearly by Ancestry Inc., parent company of Ancestry.com.




Unofficial Guide to FamilySearch.org


Book Description

Master the #1 Free Genealogy Website! Discover your ancestry on FamilySearch.org, the world's largest free genealogy website. This fully-updated in-depth user guide shows you how to find your family in the site's databases of more than 3.5 billion names and millions of digitized historical records spanning the globe. Learn how to maximize all of FamilySearch.org's research tools—including hard-to-find features—to extend your family tree in America and the old country. In this book, you'll find: • Step-by-step strategies to craft search queries that find ancestors fast • Practical pointers for locating your ancestors in record collections that aren't searchable • Detailed overviews of FamilySearch.org's major U.S. collections, with helpful record explanations to inform your research • Guidance for using FamilySearch.org's vast record collections from Europe, Canada, Mexico and 100-plus countries around the world • Tips for creating and managing your family tree on FamilySearch.org • Secrets to utilizing user-submitted genealogies, the site’s revamped Digital Library with digitized family history books, and the FamilySearch catalog of 2.4 million offline resources. • Expanded coverage of the FamilySearch mobile app, and updates on FamilySearch-compatible services and apps • A new chapter on accessing records on-site at the Family History Library, local FamilySearch Centers and affiliate libraries • Worksheets and checklists to track your research progress • Illustrated step-by-step examples teach you exactly how to apply these tips and techniques to your own research. Whether you're new to FamilySearch.org or you're a longtime user, you'll find the guidance you need to discover your ancestors and make the most of the site's valuable resources.