Proven Methods for Scaling the Inevitable Brick Wall Complications arising from incomplete or missing records, census irregularities, individuals of the same name, and burned courthouses can stop even the most experienced genealogists dead in the tracks. Learn to break through those brick walls with The Family Tree Problem Solver, which dissects researcher's common problems in case studies with straightforward solutions. You will: Go straight to the answers you need without wading through theory or irrelevant record overviews Find explanations and case studies that will help you overcome your obstacles and move forward in your genealogy Learn what NOT to do to avoid hitting brick walls in the future. The Family Tree Problem Solver is the best and most accessible book on the market about breaking down brick walls. The mysteries of research before 1850, collateral relatives, and court and land records are thoroughly explored and applied to your research problems. And it's all brought to you by genealogy's most popular publications, Family Tree Books and Family Tree Magazine!

This book is innovative. A plethora of genealogy books primarily assume that family history research is by adults, for adults, marking family history as an ‘adults only’ sphere of life. This book establishes a new dimension in family history research. It is written in the belief that engaging in family history is a venture for all of the present-day family, regardless of age and, sometimes, because of age. To assist those of all ages who venture into this wider domain of family history the book is laden with practical examples. The author has an outstanding educational background with marked national success at all levels, from sole-teacher of a rural school to professorship achievements. At each level he has been noted nationally. His qualifications reflect this lasting commitment to education with imagination and an abiding belief in the potential of families and their children. He is an acknowledged international expert in teams and team leadership. The subject of his Doctor of Philosophy thesis was in this field and his Master of Philosophy thesis, ‘The Singing Word’, was an experiential development of children’s creative writing. He is a lifelong genealogist. This book, assuredly, has new material for families, educators and children. It leads from their research of the family’s yesterdays to depictions of the family’s contemporary setting. It then leads children and adults into factual and creative portrayals of their present lives which will be handed on to future generations as informative elements of past and present family history.

Tracing Your Ancestors Lives is not a comprehensive study of social history but instead an exploration of the various aspects of social history of particular interest to the family historian. It has been written to help researchers to go beyond the names, dates and places in their pedigree back to the time when their ancestors lived. Through the research advice, resources and case studies in the book, researchers can learn about their ancestors, their families and the society they lived in and record their stories for generations to come. Each chapter highlights an important general area of study. Topics covered include the family and society; domestic life; birth life and death; work, wages and economy; community, religion and government. Barbara J. Starmanss handbook encourages family historians to immerse themselves more deeply in their ancestors time and place. Her work will give researchers a fascinating insight into what their ancestors lives were like.

Jayne Shrimpton's complete guide to dating, analysing and understanding family photographs is essential reading and reference for anyone undertaking genealogical and local history research. Using over 150 old photographs as examples, she shows how such images can give a direct insight into the past and into the lives of the individuals who are portrayed in them. ??Almost every family and local historian works with photographs, but often the fascinating historical and personal information that can be gained from them is not fully understood. They are one of the most vivid and memorable ways into the past.??This concise but comprehensive guide describes the various types of photograph and explains how they can be dated. It analyses what the clothes and style of dress can tell us about the people in the photographs, their circumstances and background.??Sections look at photographs of special occasions – baptisms, weddings, funerals - and at photographs taken in wartime, on holiday and at work. There is advice on how to identify the individuals shown and how to find more family photographs through personal connections, archives and the internet - and how to preserve them for future generations.??Jayne Shrimpton's handbook is an authoritative, accessible guide to old photographs that no family or local historian can be without.??As featured in The Argus.

An introduction to genealogy offers readers information on tracing a family's heritage, explaining how to use Internet resources to aid one's search, and including tips for nontraditional families and special situations.

A recent Maritz Poll reported that 60% of Americans are interested in their family history. And with good reason. Through genealogy, you can go back into history to meet people who have had more influence on your life than any others -- your ancestors. And the better you get to know your ancestors, the better you will get to know yourself: the who's and what's and why's of you. Barbara Renick, a nationally-known lecturer on genealogy, tells the uninitiated researcher the steps needed to find out who their ancestors really were, and brings together for even the more experienced genealogical researchers the important principles and practices. She covers such topics as the importance of staying organized and how to go about it; where and how to look for information in libraries, historical societies, and on the internet; recognizing that just because something is in print doesn't mean it's right; and how to prepare to visit the home where your ancestors lived. Genealogy 101 is the first book to read when you want to discover who your ancestors were, where they lived, and what they did.

The process of exploring your family history and roots is a moving and meaningful quest. It affects heart and soul, as well as providing an intellectual challenge to piece all the information together. GROWING YOUR FAMILY TREE is the first book to promote the experiential aspects of family history. It gives sound, practical advice on researching your family history, but also promotes the emotional, spiritual and creative elements of the task, helping to lift genealogy out of its earlier dry an formal setting, into a more meaningful and accessible activity which can enrich a person's identity. Advice and information includes: * How to write up your family history * How to make a heritage corner or trail in your home * A consideration the nature of ancestry, family lines and our inner connection with our ancestors * How to organise your research and keep moving forward

Explains procedures for searching birth and marriage certificates, wills, land records, maps, tax records, newspaper obituaries, church and cemetary records, old letters, and diaries.

The companion how-to guide to the hit TV series-with advice for anyone starting their own genealogical search. In the groundbreaking NBC series Who Do You Think You Are? seven celebrities-Sarah Jessica Parker, Emmitt Smith, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Broderick, Brooke Shields, Susan Sarandon, and Spike Lee-went on an emotional journey to trace their family history and discover who they really are, and millions of viewers caught the genealogy bug. With the official companion guide, anyone can learn how to chart their family's unique path. Featuring step-by-step instructions from Megan Smolenyak2, one of America's top genealogical researchers, this book offers everything readers need to know to start the journey into their past, from digging through old photos, to finding the best online resources.

Researching your family history can be an absorbing hobby, or a one-off project that your whole family will value and build on. This book is packed with ideas about the different aspects of genealogy and the main free or low cost resources available to help you in your quest. CONTENTS: Getting started - online family searching - harnessing internet sources - tearless transcribing - organised support - vital public records - interpreting old records - getting to know your ancestors About the author Dr Harry Alder is a prolific writer and long-time researcher. Here he passes on his passion for genealogy, his first-hand experience, lots of practical tips and key websites to support your research.