If you are thinking about getting started with genealogy, there are a lot of books out there that are written with you in mind. Of course, some are better than others. Now might be a good time to think about reading a genealogy book or two so that you can begin your family history adventure feeling well informed. Here are a few that you may want to look at to see whether their style and contents appeal to you.
We all know that you are not an idiot, but you have got to admit – those “Complete Idiot’s Guide” books are actually quite helpful and there seems to be one for just about every topic, genealogy included. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Genealogy is written in the same conversational style as other books in the series that many people find appealing and very useful when it comes to making sense out of new topics (like genealogy) that have their own set of terms and concepts. It is an all around great book, and the second edition even talks a little bit about online research. If you use Kindle, it is even available in a Kindle edition as well.
How To Do Everything With Your Genealogy by George C. Morgan is also written in a very accessible style. Numerous examples throughout the book will have you nodding your head in agreement as you see the connections between the information in the book and what you can do to research your own family history. Even if you have been doing genealogy research for a while, there are plenty of tips and tricks packed into this big book to keep you occupied (and uncovering new connections) for some time to come.
The Everything Online Genealogy Book by Kimberly Powell is a very up to date resource for anyone who wants to learn about online genealogy. Make sure that you get the second edition, which was just published earlier this past year. You may recognize Kimberly Powell’s name from her work on About.com, where she has compiled quite a bit of excellent information about all things genealogy. This book is not only written in a very accessible tone, it is a great reference because it is well organized, enabling you to find what you need quickly and easily.
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