Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques - Book Review

While normally, I do not review books on my blog, I had the opportunity to receive a review copy of the book through the Grey County Historical Society of which I am the current president. When I was told the title and the authors of the book by the treasurer, who receives the Society’s mail, I jumped on the opportunity to read the book and review it. 

Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques by George C. Morgan and Drew Smith. New York: McGraw Education, 2014, 206 p., includes index and bibliographies. ISBN: 9780071816502

As implied appropriately in the title, this book is intended for genealogical researchers who already know the basic genealogical records and methodology but are looking for guidance on how to overcome the stumbling points encountered by all researchers as they progress in their research. George G. Morgan and Drew Smith, perhaps best known as the producers of the The Genealogy GuysTM Podcasts, share the knowledge they have gained through their own research and what they have learned from others. George Morgan is the author of 11 books and many genealogy articles. He is also a genealogical speaker. Drew Smith is a university librarian and author of many genealogy articles. Both are involved with many genealogical societies.

In the introduction, the authors explain the brick wall metaphor that they use as the framework for presenting advanced genealogical research techniques. In each of the first eight chapters, the authors focus on a strategy for getting past a researcher’s brick wall and the final chapter shows how to put all the techniques together. 

Each chapter has a similar format. First, the technique is explained in terms of the brick wall metaphor and then expanded to show how it relates to genealogical research. Next, the authors provide several examples from research. The chapter ends with a summary and many have a source list.

The design makes the material easy to read with sub-headings, an easy to read font, and wide inside margins in the text portions. Illustrations include screen shots, images of documents, photographs, and tables. The illustrations are aids to understanding the techniques and examples presented.

The chapter on “Apply Technological Techniques” focuses primarily on DNA but also provides information about three specialized genealogical software programs. The section on DNA provides an introduction to DNA testing and how it relates to genealogical research. This is one section that requires several readings, especially for those new to this topic, to gain an understanding of what types of testing are available and the benefits of each. The software programs looked at are GenSmarts, Clooz and Evidentia.

The examples in Chapter one “Examine the Brick Wall in Detail” illustrate details that a researcher might initially notice in various types of records but the authors remind the researcher to review sources that you already have and to look carefully at all details for clues that you might have missed. In particular, example two, the dissection of an obituary, shows how you could chart what you learn, what is inferred and where else you might look for further information. 

Other chapters in the book are “Use Brute Force”, “Go Around the Wall”, “Talk to a Friend”, Use Crowdsourcing”, “Hire a Demolition Expert”, “Rest Up and Attack the Brick Wall Another Time” and “Put the Techniques to Work”.

For me, this is a book that you would read through to get the overview of the techniques presented. During your research and as you come to a brick wall, you might re-read the book or appropriate sections to help you choose which techniques might help knock it down. 

I recommend this book as a great addition to a person’s genealogy book collection. Do you agree?

© 2014 Janet Iles

"The past won't let you forget"

"The past won't let you forget" so begins the fly leaf of The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley.

For genealogists/family historians, the past draws us in to the stories of our ancestors and their kin. We want to learn more about them. What was their life like? What made them tick? We hope we can find clues and perhaps even answers to these questions as we research.

The principal character of The Winter Sea is Carrie McClelland, an historical fiction writer. While researching for her latest historical fiction, Carrie, a Canadian, leaves France to continue her research in Scotland. Present and past are interwoven throughout the book, so it is like reading two books in one. Although not a genealogist, Carrie's father is one and she consults with him on several occasions about their family history. Mention is made of the IGI (International Genealogical Index), descendancy charts and DNA and researching original documents.

As Kearlsey weaves the story, you are drawn into the story and the talk of genetic memory. It is hard to know what elements of the past are works of fiction and what is true. This is the mark of a good historical fiction book. There are elements of romance, suspense and history in the book. As always, Susanna Kearsley provides a well researched book for her readers. At the end of the book, Kearsley reveals what characters are works of her imagination.

Kearsley, Susanna. The Winter Sea (London : Allison & Busby, 2008) 527 p.

Susanna Kearsley's web site Here you can read the first chapter of the book. I am sure you will be hooked and you will want to read the rest of the book. Susanna Kearsley is a Canadian author.

Do you have a favorite historical fiction or a book with a genealogist as an important character in the book that you would recommend that I or others would enjoy reading?