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Genealogy Online For Dummies
Researching our roots has become a top national pastime, and with the advent of the Internet, it's also become much faster and easier than before. Rather than hop in the car and hope you can find the courthouse of the county where your great-grandmother grew up before it closes, you can relax and research in the comfort of your own home, at your convenience. The only problem is where--and how--do you start? Genealogy Online For Dummies, 4th Edition is a great starting point. Written by genealogists who manage and maintain several online genealogy services, this guide helps you make sense of the vast array of resources on the Web. It shows you how to
Search online databases Explore genealogical societies Use geographic tools Research ethnic roots Validate your findings Share your research So you don't waste time and effort wandering all over the Web, Genealogy Online For Dummies, 4th Edition shows you how to set up your own personal database first, using information you already have from family members. Then it helps you make your search productive by
Choosing the right government resources to help locate your ancestors Fleshing out the statistics with personal information from geographical, ethnic, and religious sources Cooperating with other researchers, sharing information, and coordinating efforts with societies and research groups Providing proven tips, reminders, suggestions, and lists of online databases Offering suggestions for developing your own genealogical Web site, and more To get you started in style, the bonus CD-ROM includes the full version of Family TreeMaker and Legacy Family Tree freeware, a tryout version of Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Elements 2.0 for preserving treasured family photos, and lots of other valuable techno-tools. And it all comes with a warning: genealogical research can become addictive!
Search online databases Explore genealogical societies Use geographic tools Research ethnic roots Validate your findings Share your research So you don't waste time and effort wandering all over the Web, Genealogy Online For Dummies, 4th Edition shows you how to set up your own personal database first, using information you already have from family members. Then it helps you make your search productive by
Choosing the right government resources to help locate your ancestors Fleshing out the statistics with personal information from geographical, ethnic, and religious sources Cooperating with other researchers, sharing information, and coordinating efforts with societies and research groups Providing proven tips, reminders, suggestions, and lists of online databases Offering suggestions for developing your own genealogical Web site, and more To get you started in style, the bonus CD-ROM includes the full version of Family TreeMaker and Legacy Family Tree freeware, a tryout version of Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Elements 2.0 for preserving treasured family photos, and lots of other valuable techno-tools. And it all comes with a warning: genealogical research can become addictive!
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
5 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 24, 2013
Great resource!
August 22, 2020
One of the issues I have with the "dummies" books, is simply that - they always make me feel like a dummy after reading them. That being said, if you are an absolute novice at genealogy; if you have absolutely no idea what you need to do; if you have barely thought about genealogy; or if you barely know what genealogy is - you may find this book helpful. Just be sure that you have the most recent edition because anything that has to do with work online is pretty much obsolete by the time it is published. There are so many other books I could recommend which will give you more information and not lead you to the authors' own websites over better and more thorough ones.
There are better books. In fact, your local genealogy society may offer a beginning genealogy course that will give you a better background in an hour and a half, rather than spending days on a book that isn't up to the job.
There are better books. In fact, your local genealogy society may offer a beginning genealogy course that will give you a better background in an hour and a half, rather than spending days on a book that isn't up to the job.
May 20, 2023
I have been wanting to read Genealogy for dummies for awhile and finally got around to it. And I thought it was OK.
It talks about how to use different Genealogy websites and ways to find out different types of information such as looking at census records.
One interesting thing I learned from the book is that not all countries have census records like the united states. I had thought that every country took census's every 10 years like the united states does.
One thing I wish is that the book talked about more free genealogy websites. That is if there are more free genealogy websites out there. Sites like ancestry that are free instead of payed. Though it does talk about family search.
Though I suppose if you want to find out about a relative paying for a genealogy website is no big deal.
I have not done any genealogy yet but, I hope I do someday.
It talks about how to use different Genealogy websites and ways to find out different types of information such as looking at census records.
One interesting thing I learned from the book is that not all countries have census records like the united states. I had thought that every country took census's every 10 years like the united states does.
One thing I wish is that the book talked about more free genealogy websites. That is if there are more free genealogy websites out there. Sites like ancestry that are free instead of payed. Though it does talk about family search.
Though I suppose if you want to find out about a relative paying for a genealogy website is no big deal.
I have not done any genealogy yet but, I hope I do someday.
November 12, 2017
This is a very helpful book. I have been doing genealogy research for years, and found all of the tips I would give someone who has just started research within its pages. I also found things that I hadn't previously thought of that I was able to use and I accomplished a lot. This is a perfect handbook for those who are interested in using the internet to further their research.
February 11, 2017
Very helpful to build my family tree.
April 26, 2010
I’ve been casually doing genealogy research for years, but I recently decided I wanted to step it up a notch. So I decided to go to the library and get a book. Their selection wasn’t huge, but I did find this one and thought I’d give it a try.
The instructions are quite basic in some areas, so I skipped entire pages. I know how to send an email and I know how to navigate the internet with a browser. I suppose that might be helpful to someone else, but I’m very familiar with computers.
Where I did appreciate that basics approach was in the genealogy stuff. It was helpful to a person like me to see it broken down bit by bit. There were also a lot of helpful links, and the trial versions on the software disc were pretty cool.
Overall, I’m glad I checked this one out from the library. Good to have read; don’t need to own.
The instructions are quite basic in some areas, so I skipped entire pages. I know how to send an email and I know how to navigate the internet with a browser. I suppose that might be helpful to someone else, but I’m very familiar with computers.
Where I did appreciate that basics approach was in the genealogy stuff. It was helpful to a person like me to see it broken down bit by bit. There were also a lot of helpful links, and the trial versions on the software disc were pretty cool.
Overall, I’m glad I checked this one out from the library. Good to have read; don’t need to own.
February 12, 2011
Just released. Current website info. Only about 1/3 of the way through the book, and I already found info about some members of my family that I didn't know before. Some website listings are by subscription only such as Ancestry.com, but it may be worth it to gain access to the "really good" stuff.
Finished the book yesterday. I could skip some sections which weren't relevant to my ancestry. Well-written, easy to understand.
Finished the book yesterday. I could skip some sections which weren't relevant to my ancestry. Well-written, easy to understand.
July 4, 2012
I started putting together my family tree back in the late 1990s and forgot about it until a couple weeks ago. I've picked it back up again.
This was a good book for providing weblinks on where to find out info. I've only gone to a couple sites so far but I've already discovered that my paternal grandfather came from a family of five (I have their full names) and what his parents' names were. Very cool!
It's a great book for newbies like me!
This was a good book for providing weblinks on where to find out info. I've only gone to a couple sites so far but I've already discovered that my paternal grandfather came from a family of five (I have their full names) and what his parents' names were. Very cool!
It's a great book for newbies like me!
February 4, 2009
This book was pretty link heavy. It seems like it would be great reference if you were stuck. And it was really geared towards those who are less web-saavy. It had some useful information, and good ideas on structuring your search, but this one is better borrowed from a library, and not bought.
May 10, 2009
Great information that is helping me with my genealogy search.
Want to read
October 13, 2010Book for mom?
December 6, 2010
A "good read" for absolute beginners of genealogy. Be warned though that some of the website links might not work.
January 14, 2011
Has some interesting websites I want to check out, but as the title says...it's a little basic. When a section begins, "Open a World Wide Web browser" I just starting skimming.
January 15, 2014
very helpful guide to getting started and resources that are available.
April 13, 2014
Dated material but some good information.
July 6, 2014
Many useful references to websites and overviews of different research areas.
August 15, 2014
Useful and readable overview of online genealogical research - the possibilities and the pitfalls.
December 28, 2014
This book has helped my so many times. It is now my go to book whenever friends have questions.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews