Genealogy Books - The Unofficial Guide to Online Genealogy

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Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating:

Summary: A BIT TOO SIMPOLISTIC BUT GOOD INDEX
Comment: This book is a bit too simplistic but if used as a reference, looking up what you need via the
index, it is fine. Otherwise it reads like a dictionary or an encyclopedia.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Far from the best, but not bad
Comment: It seems there's a new computer-genealogy "how to" book being released every month -- more the
result of the marketing department's presumed wisdom than because we need yet another such volume.
This is especially true when genealogy is simply one in a long line of topics: There are now
"Unofficial Guides" to wine, children, stock picking, job interviews, and menopause. However, each
volume in this series is prepared with the assistance of a panel of experts -- in this case Matthew
Helm (publisher of the JOURNAL OF ONLINE GENEALOGY), John Scroggins (who received the FGS Award of
Merit for his efforts in increasing public access to government files of interest to family
researchers), and Tim Stowell (active in the USGenWeb project). Actually, the advice and information
you'll receive here is pretty good, including setting up a computer workspace, the difference
between primary and secondary sources, setting your research goals, managing your information as you
find it, how to find genealogy web sites (method as well as a list of addresses), strategic tips for
online research, the proper use of search engines and online library catalogs, creating personal
genealogy web pages, and publishing a book as well as publishing to the web. The style is not unlike
the popular "Dummies' Guides," with tips, time-savers, caveats, and informative sidebars scattered
throughout.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Great sources for online genealogy research
Comment: Author Pamela Rice Hahn has written a book that is aimed at genealogists hoping to learn more about
using the power and advantages of the Internet to assist them in their search for information about
their ancestors. Each chapter in the book covers the basics of learning about genealogy while
recommending web sites that will supplement the information presented.
The first chapter
describes some of the common documents that every genealogist needs to have in their family files.
Learning what to expect from an online search for records is an important lesson. Even though the
number of vital records available online is increasing every day, you will still find the bulk of
your documents at courthouses, libraries and archives. Chapter 2 gives ideas and tips for organizing
your home work space and getting online. Since you are reading this online article, I'll assume that
you've handled that part of the setup.

The next two chapters cover organizing all the accumulated
papers, charts, and forms that you will be collecting at an alarming rate. The advice I found most
helpful was the idea of setting up a research notebook that includes enough information to aid you
in your research trips without bogging you down with copies of every record in your collection. This
section also includes ideas for setting up a full filing system and choosing a genealogy database
software.

Chapter 5 describes the various types of information available online. Choosing a
Web-based email service, learning about the options available in full-fledged email programs, and
subscribing to newsgroups and email lists are topics that are covered in this chapter. This is
followed by a chapter covering some of the major genealogy web sites and how to maximize your time
while surfing.

The remaining chapters cover in greater detail the various types of information
that you should be collecting and which web sites may offer the most help in your search. Topics
include search engine tips, immigration, census records, libraries, courthouse research and
preservation of family photographs. Chapter 14 contains suggestions to aid you in setting up your
own genealogy web site. Several appendices finish out this content-rich book.

Customer Rating:

Summary: I never knew I could do this!
Comment: I have been interested in Genealogy for some time now and never thought it was possible to pursue it
so thoroughly the Internet! One of the reasons that I bought this book is that I am not an "Internet
expert" by any stretch. In the process of learning how to find information on genealogy I learned a
few things about my computer. I live way up in Canada and regardless of where you live, this book is
a must have for anyone interested in the subject.

I especially liked the step-by-step process that
begins with teaching you first how to use the necessary tools to accomplish your goals and ending
with results you were after. In any subject that interests me I hate to buy a book that reminds me
of the dry texts I read back in school. I have seen them while wandering bookstores and despite the
fact the subject interests me I will not buy it. This book was nothing like any of those books,
which was very refreshing.

* Helps anyone not particularly well versed in the Internet get
started with learning the necessary tools.
* Takes a well thought out step-by-step approach to
attainting your ultimate goal.
* I thought it was very well laid out and easy to read.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Can't get all the information you need without this book!
Comment: For a lot of people, the courthouse is where the search for the bulk of your family's background
research begins. This book has great information on how to go about getting the most out of that
research.

*I also like how the author put all of the links from the book online at
GenelogyTips.com. That means I don't have to type them in; she's done it for me!

*I recommend this
book because the writing is easy to understand yet full of information.

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