The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy

The fourth edition of Greenwood's (How Often Would I Have Gathered You) exhaustive guide covers technological innovations in genealogical research since the publication of the third edition in 2000. The book addresses web terminology, search strategies, and DNA testing services and discusses at length features of major family history websites (free as well as subscription-based). Traditional sources of genealogical information including vital records, census schedules, wills, deeds, and church and military records are explored thoroughly in separate chapters that explain not only their historical creation and use but also the type of material that can be extracted from such records and how they can be obtained. Greenwood also provides examples of records, titles of published indexes or guides to particular record types, and definitions of terminology, a feature particularly helpful in the case of probate records. Chapters examining standards of evidence in genealogy and the necessity of conducting preliminary surveys of previous research efforts should help ensure the accuracy and integrity of readers' own findings.