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The genealogist's question & answer book
Book
2002
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Library Journal Review
What is a collective naturalization? Why is there no 1890 federal census? These questions are symptomatic of the biggest problem in genealogical research: too often, genealogy newbies overlook valuable data or fail to optimize their research time because they have not yet learned the proper terms or numerous informational tidbits that can expedite research. In the form of answers and suggestions to 260 frequently asked questions, Melnyk (The Weekend Genealogist) covers not just the basic whats and wheres of genealogical records but, more importantly, the whysDwhy certain records were created and why they are important to researchers. Beginning with a chapter on general genealogy topics, Melnyk looks at how to begin research. She follows with discussions on various sources, including oral histories, vital and church records, naturalization and land records, computer databases, and cemetery records. Sources often overlooked, such as coroners' records and military hospital records, are covered in detail. Melnyk also documents sources and the reliability of records and provides a chapter of terms encountered during research. Throughout, readers will find record examples, charts of data, and bibliographies for further reading. Although many beginning genealogy guides are available (e.g., Christine Crawford-Oppenheimer's Long-Distance Genealogy, LJ 8/00), this book has a novel format, and the basic know-how it affords will help readers save time while thoroughly gathering data. Even researchers (and librarians) with considerable experience may encounter facts here that refresh or enlighten. Highly recommended for public and genealogy library collections. (Index not seen.)DElaine M. Kuhn, Allen Cty. P.L., Ft. Wayne, IN (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
This handy guide provides the answers to more than 250 commonly posed questions pertaining to the methodology and execution of genealogical research and inquiry. The author, citing the often daunting and overwhelming availability of both primary and secondary resources in the twenty-first century, supplies a manageable framework for novice researchers. Categorized according to document type, the questions asked most frequently concern acquiring, interpreting, and assessing the reliability of church, census, hospital, military, tax, and funeral home records. The significance of accessing reliable information via computer databases and the Internet is also addressed. The recent boom in genealogical research is creating a demand for straightforward, easy-to-follow instructional manuals such as this one. --Margaret Flanagan
Summary

Get your answers to your genealogy questions!

There's never been a better time to discover your ancestors. More family history resources are available now than ever before - making your research options almost limitless. So much information, however, makes determining where to begin, what to believe, and how to decipher it all a challenge.

The Genealogist's Questions & Answers Book helps you overcome these hurdles and make the most of your research time. It provides answers to more than 150 of the most commonly asked genealogy questions in a friendly, easy-to-browse format.

Questions are conveniently grouped according to the different resources you'll use: from census, church, and immigration records to oral histories, websites, electronic databases, and more. You'll learn what to look for in each document, how to interpret the information you find, and where to go next with your research.

Table of Contents
Introductionp. 1
1General Genealogical Questionsp. 3
Questions about locating facilities, societies, and organizations; determining relationships; how to number genealogical charts; record storage
2Oral History and Home Sourcesp. 21
The why and how of oral history within the scope of your genealogical research
3Vital Records and Church Recordsp. 32
Questions about the different types of and problems with vital records and church records
4Census Recordsp. 47
Questions about census records, the information they provide, the importance of the records, and locating copies to use in research
5Military Recordsp. 71
Questions about military records from different time periods and different levels of government and locating these records
6Immigration and Naturalization Recordsp. 89
Questions about the immigration and naturalization records during different time periods in American history, locating these records, and getting the most information from them
7Computers, the Internet, Indexes, and Computer Databasesp. 118
Questions about genealogical computer programs, the Internet, the World Wide Web, digital information and databases, and successful search techniques when using electronic media
8Land, Probate, and Tax Recordsp. 136
Questions about locating, using, and evaluating land, tax, and probate records
9Documenting Sources and Determining the Reliability of Recordsp. 153
Questions about the proper documentation of research sources and determining the reliability of the information they provide
10Newspapers, Periodicals, and City Directoriesp. 164
Questions about less often used records such as newspapers, periodicals, and city directories
11Cemetery and Funeral Home Recordsp. 181
Questions about cemeteries, funeral homes, and coroners' and medical examiners' records
12Terminology: Genealogical Terms and What They Meanp. 203
Questions about the myriad of terms used in the genealogical field, organizational acronyms and abbreviations, and understanding all the lingo involved with family research
Indexp. 222
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