Judy Jacobson

This is a book most any genealogist or family researcher should at least look at if not own. Owning it would be like having a little historical reference guide to turn to just when you needed it the most!

Stuck trying to figure out where your ancestor may have gone or why? Look at the timelines for the different states in this book and see if something happened around the time your ancestor “disappeared” or “took off for Georgia”.

There are timelines for epidemics, disasters, modes of transportation and even uncivil disobedience (riots). Military actions, both in America and abroad can also be found.

Immigration your interest? The timeline within is an excellent overview of exclusions, laws, and little-known trivia -- who knew that a special law was passed in the 1950s to allow Basque sheep herders in on ‘non-quota visas’?

Good advice runs throughout such as reminding researchers that even if their ancestor wasn’t mentioned in a local history book or the old newspapers, it will still be worth one’s time to study the area. “Look for settlement patterns to understand what was going on when the ancestor lived there” writes Jacobson.

In chapter six, “Myths, Confusions, Secrets and Lies” Jacobson is quick to point out that “every story handed down is not necessarily correct”. She acknowledges that “there is a truth in there somewhere” but you need to study history in order to find the real answers. This short but interesting chapter ends with a list of clues that might indicate a family has hidden their racial origin such as racial designations changing in the censuses over time, a change of a surname for no good reason, or a lack of any family history.

You can read the chapters that interest you the most or read it from cover to cover. However you choose to read it, you’ll definitely learn something pertaining to your family research. (this review will also be posted in the near future at the Union County Public Library, Monroe, NC, web site)… (mais)

This slim little book is like having a favorite Aunt, pleased with your interest in family history, who takes you under her wing. Filled with pointers about searching out your family history this can easily travel in your purse (or with your laptop case) and be read quickly.
There are a few things that I would quibble with the author about. On page 66, while reminding you to call ahead to libraries, history rooms, etc., she writes, "And in the South, Robert E. Lee's birthday is still alive and well." What? Not a "holiday" in the part of the South we live in!
Also on page 84, she advises when hiring a genealogist you should share only the facts and not your guesses - she then implies it's okay to let a librarian, "whose services are free" run around trying to find information for your guesses. Hmmmm. Actually, you should do your best to give specifics on what you wish to find, then the librarian will be better equipped to provide you with resources for your research. If you want to run down guesses (and sometimes that's all you can do) just make sure you are doing the running around not someone "whose services are free".
Here's one of her tips on page 7: The very first thing anyone beginning a genealogy search should do is find out if anyone else has already researched the line! (Check with relatives). Good advice!
And there's plenty more like the inclusion of a pretty decent medical dictionary of ‘old terms’ once used.
Pick up this quick little read with the plain cover - beginners and those past the beginning stage will surely enjoy.… (mais)

Packed with advice and lists of information in dozens of areas that will be helpful to genealogists; if you need to know how long a verst is or what a semi lorer did, you can find it here. This compact volume covers naming customs, legal terms, immigrant groups and Native Americans, finding unmarked graves, measurements, money, calendars and much more. Information about researching on the Internet (including website suggestions) or where to look in Washington, DC (various societies and museums are listed) are good places to start. Small enough to slip into purse or briefcase but provides a great deal of useful information. The only negative is the number of typos that should have been caught by stronger editing.… (mais)