Holiday season is right around the corner! If you’re like me, I’m planning for a bit of free time from the daily grind. (Hello, bunny slippers!) This includes spending time with a very tall pile of unread books that I’ve been eyeing for months. With that in mind, I thought I’d share some of my favorite genealogy reads for yourself or for that family historian in your life.
• Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturer and Librarians by Elizabeth Shown Mills. When I first decided to make genealogy a serious part of my life, I borrowed this book from a friend. I read it cover to cover (almost 700 pages!) in about a week. It was my first clue that genealogy had become an obsession. I’ve since purchased my own copy and suggest it to anyone who wants to not only become a professional but just be a better genealogist.
• Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills. “Cite your sources” is the golden rule genealogists must follow to do reliable research. This is a must-have book for learning to properly cite sources, especially the more challenging ones. I have a well-loved, dog-eared copy always sitting close by.
• Reading Early American Handwriting by Kip Sperry. Difficult-to-read handwriting can be a brick wall for many genealogists. The farther you go back in your family’s history the more confusing it can become. This book is designed to teach you how to not only read but to understand handwriting found in early American documents.
• Organize Your Genealogy: Strategies and Solutions for Every Researcher. This is a book I wish I’d read at the beginning of my genealogical journey. If your research, desk and files could use some help, this book is for you. Helpful tried-and-true methods along with the latest tech tools will have you organized in no time.
• The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy by Blaine T. Bettinger. If you’re considering DNA testing or have already taken a test and asking “what now?” this book is for you. From what testing is available to understanding ethnicity estimates, this will become a go-to source for DNA.
• 300 Questions to Ask Your Parents Before It’s Too Late by Shannon L. Alder. We often only focus on our distant ancestors but those closest to you know much more than you think. This book offers 300 prompts for questions to ask your parents (or elderly relatives) ranging from hobbies to career and education.
• 97 Orchard: An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement by Jane Ziegelman. This is a favorite of mine. Shopping, cooking and eating are all part of our ethnicity. The families in this book are lovely and remind me of what community is all about.
• The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy by Szucs, Dennis, and Hargreaves Luebking. If you’re doing U.S. research this book is invaluable. You will find key record groups for Colonial English and Spanish, Hispanic, Jewish, Native American, and more.
• Language dictionaries. My name is Carol and I’m addicted to language dictionaries. Yes, it’s true, I love to rummage around garage and estate sales for these precious gems. Spanish, French, Arabic, German and so many more take space on my bookshelves. The older the better as words changed throughout the years, so it’s not surprising that old documents are best transcribed with a dictionary written in the same era. (Donations accepted!)
• Hometown histories. Often the historical society of your ancestor’s hometown will create a book commemorating a centennial, for example. Not only is an overall history of the area included, but I’ve also found my great grandparent’s addresses and occupations along with personal descriptions within the history being told. Really priceless information.
I wish each of you a happy, healthy holiday season. See you in 2025 and happy hunting!