Anyone interested in discovering their family genealogy should carry a copy of this book everywhere. Written by internationally recognized expert, George G. Morgan, this book is an irreplaceable resource for beginner to expert knowledge gatherers. Not only does Morgan explain how to get the search started – creating a family tree, locating and evaluating documents, selecting the appropriate hardware and software for the search – he goes steps further and dedicates an entire section to research methods and strategies where he discusses, among other topics, getting past “dead ends,” and organizing possible research travel.

Break through brick walls in your genealogical research Learn how to use innovative methods to unearth hard-to-find ancestors. Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques shows you, step by step, how to uncover elusive details by taking advantage of specialized tools and software programs and using proven best practices for breaking through the brick walls that have hindered your progress. You’ll get professional advice on formulating a research strategy, understanding the details you discover, keeping careful track of your data, analyzing the evidence, and developing hypotheses. Real-world case studies demonstrate how you can apply the systematic procedures presented in this practical guide to your own research--and achieve success! Examine the brick wall in detail to find potential weak spots that can be exploited into a breakthrough Use brute force techniques that leave no stone unturned Obtain exact copies of original records rather than derivative sources Research the family, associates, and neighbors (FANs) of your brick wall ancestor Consult with your family, friends, and colleagues to get a fresh perspective on your research Use crowdsourcing--genealogy societies, online forums, social media, blogs, wikis, and podcasts Apply technological solutions, including DNA testing and specialized genealogical software Get tips on hiring a professional genealogical researcher with the appropriate credentials and references Revisit your brick wall problem after honing your research skills Review your evidence, develop a research strategy, and keep a meticulous research log

Trace your family tree and discover your roots Fully updated and revised, this bestselling genealogy guide helps you tap into the wealth of global ancestry records and offers proven strategies for both traditional and electronic research. How to Do Everything: Genealogy, Second Edition explores basic rules of genealogical evidence, evaluation of source materials, research methods, and successful techniques for web-based research. You'll get new information on DNA-based records, social networking sites, blogs, podcasts, the latest hardware and software, and much more. Set up and organize your family tree Place your ancestors into context and locate essential records of their lives Trace census, immigration, church, cemetery, military, and property records in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Locate and access document repositories, such as libraries and archives and their online catalogs Conduct effective Internet research Get past brick walls and dead ends in your research Research and verify your ancestors using genetic genealogy (DNA) Plan a very successful research trip Determine the best technology for your research, including portable devices and databases Share your findings with family members and collaborate with other researchers

Written by a renowned genealogy expert, this fully updated bestseller shows you how to use both traditional and online genealogy research methods. Thoroughly revised for the latest tools and techniques, How to Do Everything: Genealogy, Fourth Edition uniquely addresses all the different genealogical record types, explaining traditional and digital research strategies. It defines the basic rules of genealogical evidence, explains how to evaluate source materials, and describes proven research methods. This practical guide shows you how to research your family history using the most current websites, social networking sites, record archives, newly released and forthcoming census data, digital records, new frontiers in DNA research, and more. The latest technological tools such as hardware and software are also covered. Featuring global resources from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia in a single volume, this book reveals how to: Organize and create your family tree Research census documents, military service records, and land and property rolls Locate difficult-to-find records Use the most efficient internet search techniques Plan a successful genealogy research trip Evaluate sources for authenticity Research and verify ancestors using genetic genealogy (DNA) Get past brick walls and dead ends in your research Use social networking sites and collaboration techniques

Researching your genealogy online is like being a kid in a candy store. So many neat things catch your eye that it’s difficult to decide which one to try. That’s where Genealogy Online For Dummies, 5th Edition comes in. This completely practical handbook helps you become a smart, discriminating researcher from the moment you start your investigation. Unlike other genealogy books, this easy-to-use guide does more than show you how to access and use online resources; it lays out a sensible organized process you can follow to make your research more efficient and achieve your genealogical goal faster. You'll learn how to start your research before you go online, understand traditional methods of genealogy, identify Web sites that will be most helpful to your research, get vital information and statistics from government records, and much, much more Discover how to: Use basic online and offline research techniques Develop a plan for your research Integrate Internet resources to achieve your genealogical goal Create Web sites where family members can make contact Access domestic records for births, deaths, immigration, and more Research ethnic ancestry through international records Verify what you find Protect your research Complete with a companion CD-ROM packed with valuable genealogy software, Genealogy Online For Dummies puts you in touch with all of the tools, resources, methods, and know-how you need to make your research into your family history a total success.

Unearth your family's past by mining the global wealth of digital and print ancestry records In How to Do Everything Genealogy, award-winning researcher and genealogy writer George G. Morgan shows how to start and continue your family history research using traditional records and techniques, as well as the full array of online databases, digitized records, social networks, and other tools. Learn how to organize and create your family tree; find documents about your family; research census documents, military service records, and land and property rolls; plan a successful genealogy research trip; evaluate sources; and other vital skills to help you uncover and illuminate your family's story. Structure an effective research strategy Locate and access genealogy resources for U.S., Canadian, UK and Ireland, and Australian research See illustrations of scores of sample documents Get past brick walls and dead ends in your research Place your ancestors in geographical and historical context Access libraries, archives, and other repositories online Learn the most efficient Internet search techniques Research and verify ancestors using genetic genealogy (DNA) Use social networking sites and collaboration techniques Discover and use alternative research paths to locate difficult-to-find records Learn to integrate your research by reviewing a real case study

With millions of records now available online, those interested in their family history have a wealth of information—and misinformation—at their fingertips. In this book, author Kimberly Powell, the About.com Guide to Genealogy, helps both novice and experienced genealogists sort it all out. She shows readers where to search and which key-words they’ll need to create an accurate family tree—from start to finish. With this book, readers will learn how to create an online search strategy, use search engines and Soundex to find kin, reach out to others with peer-to-peer record swapping, discover useful records from around the world, and more. Packed with tips on free databases, search sites, and downloadable government records, readers will have all they need to use the Web to dig out their family’s true tale!