Welcome Whitney! It looks like we will have a pretty good group - already 7 have responded yes to the event. If you would like to get a reminder about the start of the reading, click on "Events" on the panel on the right hand side. Click 'yes' that you will attend. A reminder of the start of the discussion will be emailed to you 7 days before the start.

I hope to get the book today or tomorrow. I'm looking forward to taking an advance peek at it!

Liz wrote: "The polling is in! The next group read book is Google Your Family Tree unlocking the hidden power of Google by Lynch, Daniel M.
[bookcover:Google Your Family Tree ..."

I plan on participating... just ordered my copy of Google Your Family Tree today! ;)

The polling is in! The next group read book is Google Your Family Tree unlocking the hidden power of Google by Lynch, Daniel M.


I'll be posting the reading syllabus once I've had a chance to get the book. We will begin reading the book on January 9. Please indicate whether you plant to attend the event. Thanks!

To vote on a poll, you need to go to the actual polls section.

You can either click on "polls" over on the right upper corner of the page or follow this link: http://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/2188....

I'm not certain why the polls aren't showing up at the bottom of the home page today. Please be sure to vote in both polls selecting a FIRST and SECOND choice. (They can be the same book.)

Polling for the next book has begun and will end on December 11. We will begin reading the next book on January 9.

Here is the final set of books. Again, let me know if there are additional titles you would like included in the poll. Unless I hear from you otherwise, only these 17 titles in the last 3 messages will be included in the poll for the next group read book.

Research Your Family History on-Line Dum
Sarah Newbery
Could they have come up with a worse title for this series? :) That said, you can't argue with the fomula for the ever popular Dummies series. This is a recently published book with no reviews or previews on Amazon. Feeling adventurous?

The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual
Board for Certification Of Genealogists
3.4* on Goodreads and 5* on Amazon there is no preview on Amazon so here are a few notes from my own edition. This book is geared toward the professional researcher or those who wish to become professionals. The first 28 pages cover: Genealogical Proof Standard, Data Collection Standards, Evidence-Evaluation Standards, Compilation Standards, Standards for Lecturers, Instructors and Educational Writers and Continuing Education Standards. Most of the book is dedicated to the 7 appendices: Genealogist's Code, Board for Certification of Genealogists, Example Reports, Example Proof Summaries, Example Compiled Lineages, Example Compiled Pedigrees and Example Compiled Genealogies.

The Genealogist's Internet

Peter Christian
Be careful when reading the reviews to look at the 2009 edition. There are no reviews yet on Goodreads and only 2 on Amazon (5*). There are no previews on Amazon. There are previews on Google books to the 2003 edition. I wonder if there is an internet version . . . Wouldn't you love to not have to enter in the url's! :)

The Source A Guidebook Of American Genealogy
Sandra Hargreaves Luebking
4.43* on Goodreads and 5* on Amazon. No preview on Amazon. However, the preview on Google books seems to be a complete copy of the current edition. http://books.google.com/books?id=Jw3kn_A... I hadn't realized that there was an online edition! It's nice to be able to do an electronic search for key terms. That said, this is a book you'll want to have on your shelves as well - at 965 pages, its more comfortable to curl up with the book!


Women and the Law of Property in Early America
Marylynn Salmon
3.67* on Goodreads (3 reviews) and 4* on Amazon (1 review). There is a preview on Amazon.

Unless there are suggestions for additional books, That's All Folks!

As always, comments and reviews welcome as are suggestions for additional books. Polling will begin late this week.

The potential discussion bookshelf has been updated to include some recent publications and requests. Here are a few more of the books. Again, let me know if there are additional titles you would like included in the poll.

Hidden Sources
Laura Szucs Pfeiffer
4.5* on Goodreads and 5* on Amazon. This source is a bit dated, published in 2000 so the locations of these records on the web may not be current. That said, this is a great list of potential sources for those who have exhausted conventional sources or are trying to scale a brick wall. There are some very unusual sources mixed in with more typical sources such as Biographies, etc. Each entry includes additional reading and website links. There is no preview available on Amazon or Google books. There is a 1-2 page entry for the following sources: Admiralty Court Records, Adoption Records, Agricultural Schedules US Census, Alien Registration, AGBI, AMA, Appointment Papers, Apprenticeship Records, Archival Collections, Army Corps of Engineers, Artifacts, Association Records, Autobiographies, Bankruptcies, Biographies, Maps, Body Transit Records (sound familiar :)), Cemetery Records, Centennial Farm Records, City Directories, College and University Records, Computerized Genealogies, Coroner's Inquests, County, Farmer's or Rural Directories, Court Records, Deeds, Delayed Birth Records, . . . . The book contains a total of 111 hidden sources. As you can see from a sampling of the list that many of these sources are less hidden now given the expansion of the internet! The book includes 6 appendixes covering NARA, State Archives, Historical Societies, FHL and Centers, Genealogical Societies and Major US Genealogical Libraries.

How to Do Everything Genealogy
George G. Morgan See Message #7 above. This is a great book to either build a foundation of knowledge or fill in gaps in your knowledge.

How To Understand Your Genealogy And Trace Your Family History
Dannie Elwins
This 36 page book was recently published and has not yet been reviewed. From the table of contents listed on the Amazon site, it appears to be a beginning genealogy book.

How to Write Your Personal or Family History
Katie Wiebe
This is another recently published book with no reviews yet on either Goodreads or Amazon. There is no preview on either Google books or Amazon. Google Books does have a brief description, http://books.google.com/books?id=UXBvPgA...

[b:Legacy A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Personal History|197148|Legacy A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Personal History|Linda Spence|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172604363s/197148.jpg|190694]
[bc:Legacy A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Personal History|197148|Legacy A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Personal History|Linda Spence|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172604363s/197148.jpg|190694] [a:Linda Spence|114847|Linda Spence|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg]
3.88* on Goodreads (8 reviews) and 4.5* on Amazon (10 reviews). There is no preview on Amazon but a customer has posted a few images.

[b:Professional Genealogy A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians|376784|Professional Genealogy A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians|Elizabeth Shown Mills|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174289904s/376784.jpg|366630]
[bc:Professional Genealogy A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians|376784|Professional Genealogy A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians|Elizabeth Shown Mills|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174289904s/376784.jpg|366630] [a:Elizabeth Shown Mills|5887|Elizabeth Shown Mills|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg]
4.5* book on amazon with index available for viewing.

More to come . . . .

Comments, reviews of any of these books are welcome!

The potential discussion bookshelf has been updated to include some recent publications and requests. So far, there are 17 selections.

Bringing Your Family History to Life Through Social History
Katherine Scott Sturdevant
See Message #3 above.

Family Photographs and How to Date Them
Jayne Shrimpton
Unfortunately there are no reviews on Amazon yet and no preview available on Google Books. Has anyone read this book? Would you mind providing us with a brief synopsis or review?

Family Tree Legacies Preserving Memories Throughout Time
Allison Stacy
This is a very recently published book and there are no reviews on Amazon. The look inside feature is available. It appears to be a very beginner book. A great guide to starting your genealogical exploration . . . I just wonder if you wouldn't be better served by starting out entering data into a genealogical program rather than this workbook or a scrapbook? . . .

Finding Your Family Getting Started In Family Research
James A. Foy
This is another recently published book with no reviews yet. This is a 42 page step-by-step guide to starting your genealogical research. Again, this is a book for those just beginning their research. Inside Look is available for this book on amazon.

Getting Started on Your Genealogy Website
Thornton and Marty Gale
See message #6 above.

Google Your Family Tree unlocking the hidden power of Google
Lynch, Daniel M.
This book is reviewed on both Goodreads and Amazon. It also received a favorable review in the July-Sept 2009 NGS Magazine. The Book has its own website, http://www.googleyourfamilytree.com/ But, there is no preview in either Amazon or Google Books.

More to come . . . .

Comments, reviews of any of these books are welcome!

The potential discussion bookshelf has been updated to include those books receiving at least one vote in the last round of polling and those that someone in the group has expressed an interest in reading. If there are other books you would like included in the poll, please let me know or put them on the potential discussion bookshelf.

All the books from previous polls are still in the bookcase on the 'to read' shelf.

If you have read any of these books and would like to recommend them (or not) to the group, please don't hesitate to post your comments here.

We will be wrapping up Your Guide to Cemetery Research in mid-January. I'll be conducting a poll in about a week on the next book selection. My current plan is to include only those books receiving at least one vote in the previous 2 polls. If there are any books you would like me to add to the poll, please let me know. They can be either entirely different publications than previously polled or any item on the poll list. I will also take a quick look for any recent publications.

If there is anyone who would like to moderate a book discussion, let me know that as well. Moderators are welcome to lead either the Group Read selection or any selection of their choosing.

Thanks!

Whitney wrote: "I'm sorry that I missed the start of this book discussion! I just ordered Your Guide to Cemetery Research off of Amazon, and I'll jump in in the middle if no one minds!! This is an excellent idea!"

Great Whitney! All threads are still open. Please feel free to post as you read. We look forward to your comments.

I'm sorry that I missed the start of this book discussion! I just ordered Your Guide to Cemetery Research off of Amazon, and I'll jump in in the middle if no one minds!! This is an excellent idea!

The votes are in and the winner is Your Guide to Cemetery Research! I am looking forward to reading this book. I've posted an event for November 1st as the start date for reading the book. Please check that you will attend the event if you plan on reading the book. The Nov 1 start date should give everyone time to get the book. I'll be posting a syllabus over the next few days.

Please don't forget to vote in both polls by the end of polling on Oct 15. The first poll is for your first choice book. The second poll is for your second choice book. Your second choice can be the same as your first choice but you do need to select it! Six people have already voted for their first choice book but only 4 have voted their second choice.

If there are ties, we will do a run-off vote.

The polls for a book selection have been added! There are two polls. Please be sure to scroll down to Poll #1 to make your first choice of book selection. Your first choice will receive more weight than your second choice (5 points). Poll #2 is for your second choice of book selection. Your second choice selection will receive a weight of 3 points. You may choose the same book as both your first and second choice. At the end of polling, the book with the most points will be our first group discussion book. Polling will end on October 15 to allow us all time to get the selection before beginning the reading in November.

There are many exciting books in the list! I can't wait to get started.

Unfortunately, my library didn't have copies of most of the books that were not reviewed on Amazon. If you have additional information that might help others decide between the books listed, please add your comments either here or in the bookshelf.

The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual 5* on Amazon by 6 reviewers. Preview is available at amazon.

Professional Genealogy A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians 4.5* book on amazon with index available for viewing.

Land & Property Research in the United States4.5* book on amazon with index available for viewing. This book provides a detailed look at land records. If this book is selected, please feel free to only read and take part in the discussions that pertain to your own area of research.

How to Do Everything Genealogy 5* book on amazon but only 1 reviewer. Amazon does have pages and the index available for viewing. Written by George Morgan and updated in 2009, the index to this source reads like the titles to several of Morgan's genealogy seminar talks.

Getting Started on Your Genealogy Website. Not yet reviewed on Amazon but you can view the table of contents there. This book received good review in the June edition of the NGS Quarterly. The book is written by owners of an internet web hosting site. However, the book's content would apply to any web hosting site.

Evidence Explained Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace. 5* on amazon (17 reviewers). Preview pages including table of contents is also available at amazon. This book is really more of a reference book. If it is selected as a group read book, it may serve as schedule for cleaning up our databases :). The discussion would revolve around any issues or questions that we run into while updating our sources.

If you have read this book, please share your thoughts about it as a group read book.

Dressed for the Photographer Ordinary Americans and Fashion, 1840-1900. 5* on amazon (14 reviewers). Preview pages including table of contents is also available at amazon.

If you have read this book, please share your thoughts about it as a group read book.

Bringing Your Family History to Life Through Social History. 5* book on amazon (2 reviewers). Preview pages including the table of contents are also available at amazon.


If you have read this book, please share your thoughts about it as a group read book.

Over the next several days, I plan to post information about the books already on the 'potential discussion' bookshelf. I will be reviewing each of them at the library and want to provide additional detail for those that don't have very complete descriptions either here or at the amazon.com website. I’ll begin with Courthouse Research for Family Historians Your Guide to Genealogical Treasures. This is book is a great introduction to courthouse and original/microfilm/digital court and recorder's office research. It provides the nuts and bolts including detailed descriptions of working with a variety of court indexing styles and numerous examples.

Chapter 1 – Preparation is Key
START IN A COUNTY COURTHOUSE OR ?
COUNTIES CAN HAVE PARENTS TOO
DOES THE COUNTY STILL EXIST?
INDEPENDENT CITIES
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
MAPS
SKILLS TO PRACTICE BEFORE LEAVING
OTHER PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
CHAPTER POINTS TO CONSIDER

Chapter 2 – You’re There – Now What?
ARRIVING AT THE COURTHOUSE
EXPECTATIONS
HINTS FOR SUCCESS
DIFFERENCES IN INDEXES
CAN’T FIND A NAME IN THE INDEX
BROUGHT YOUR COMPUTER?
LEGAL AGE
THERE WAS A FIRE!
THOSE OTHER RECORDS ON THE SHELVES
CHAPTER POINTS TO PONDER

Chapter 3 – Property Matters
IMPORTANCE OF LAND OWNERSHIP
STATE-LAND STATES VS. FEDERAL-LAND STATES
INDEXES FOR LAND RECORDS
TERMINOLOGY
CHAPTER POINTS TO CONSIDER

Chapter 4 – Searching Property Records
THE OFFICE FOR LAND RECORDS
TYPES OF RECORD BOOKS
WHAT A DEED TELLS US
THE RECORDING PROCESS
CLUES IN THE DEEDS
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
STRATEGIES FOR SEARCHING LOCAL LAND RECORDS
RECORDS NOT A PART OF THE LOCAL LAND RECORDS
CHAPTER POINTS TO PONDER
DEED TRANSCRIBED AND ANNOTATED

Chapter 5 – Estates Galore
WHICH OFFICE HANDLED ESTATES
WAS THE ESTATE PROBATED
WOMEN AND WILLS
KINDS OF ESTATES
THE PROBATE INDEXES
TERMINOLOGY
UNDERSTANDING LAW
PROBATE COURT MINUTES AND COURT ORDERS
THE ESTATE PACKETS
CHAPTER POINTS TO PONDER

Chapter 6 – Estate Documents
WILLS (TESTATE)
MORE THAN ONE KIND OF WILL
THE PROBATE process
OTHER DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH ESTATES
ADMINISTRATIONS
GUARDIANSHIPS
POINTS TO PONDER

Chapter 7 – Milking Every Clue from Estates
LET’S CONSIDER
GLEANING CLUES FROM WILLS
MORE ON PACKETS
TRANSCRIBING A WILL
WILLS ARE MARVELOUS IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
IS A SEARCH AMONG ESTATES WORTH THE EFFORT
DON’T BE CONTENT WITH ONE RECORD
CHAPTER POINTS TO PONDER

Chapter 8 – Understanding the Court System
THE COURT SYSTEM
OUR LEGAL SYSTEM
RECORD BOOKS
TYPE OF DOCUMENTS
CIVIL COURT INDEXES
THE FILE PACKETS: CIVIL AND CRIMINAL
TERMINOLOGY
CHAPTER POINTS TO PONDER

Chapter 9 – Civil and Criminal Court
CIVIL RECORDS
FINDING CIVIL COURT RECORDS IN THE COURTHOUSE
THE CIVIL COURT PROCESS
OTHER RECORDS WHICH MIGHT BE FOUND
TAX RECORDS
ROAD RECORDS
CORONER’S RECORDS
REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
NATURALIZATIONS
DIVORCES
CRIMINAL MATTERS
JURIES
CHAPTER POINTS TO PONDER

Chapter 10 – Birth, Marriage and Death
REGISTRATIONS OF VITAL RECORDS
WHICH COURTHOUSE OFFICE
BIRTH RECORDS
MARRIAGES
DEATHS
ONE ACTION CAN PROVE BIRTH MARRIAGE AND DEATH
CHAPTER POINTS TO PONDER

Chapter 11 – The Internet, Microfilm and Libraries
THE INTERNET AND COURTHOUSES
MICROFILM FOR COURTHOUSE RECORDS
LIBRARY GENEALOGICAL COLLECTIONS
ADVANTAGES OF LIBRARY PREPARATION
NEWSPAPERS
OTHER FINDING AIDS
ORIGINAL COURTHOUSE RECORDS FOUND ELSEWHERE
UNUSUAL SITES
CHAPTER POINTS TO PONDER

Chapter 12 – Strategies that Work
6 EXAMPLES
STRATEGIES FOR LETTER WRITING
STRATEGIES FOR FINDING AFRICAN-AMERICAN RECORDS
STRATEGIES FOR ‘KNOWING’ OUR ANCESTORS
KEEPING US GOING



If you have read this book, please share your thoughts about it as a group read book.

The poll on interest in a book discussion group has been set to close on 30 Sep 2009. But, there is already sufficient interest to make it worth trying this out. Once the poll has closed on 30 Sep, there will be a poll to select the group read book.

Anyone can moderate another book reading at any time but the primary reading will be a group selection. If there are any genealogy books you would like to read, please add them to the bookshelf before 30 Sep 2009 or send me a note and I will add it.

Depending on the number of books suggested, there may be an initial evaluation of interest in each book before the final poll. My goal is to select the first book by the middle of October with a reading start date of Nov 1. That should allow people a couple of weeks to find a book. Expect a light reading schedule over the holiday weeks from Thanksgiving to New Years.

Liz