Mastering Immigration & Naturalization Records

Quillen's Essentials of Genealogy #2

by W. Daniel Quillen

Almost no other book covering this crucial area makes this a must-have for DIY genealogists!

This volume, now in its third edition, in Cold Spring Press's "Quillen's Essentials of Genealogy" series gets to the heart of what genealogical research is for most hitting the shores of the Atlantic Ocean looking east to the UK, Ireland, and Europe as they begin their search for their ancestors. Largely a nation populated by European immigrants from the 17th through early 20th centuries, immigration and naturalization records is often just the source needed to locate important genealogical information. "Mastering Immigration & Naturalization Records" covers the following -- What are Immigration Records?; -- What is the genealogical value of Immigration Records?; -- Where do I find Immigration Records?; -- How to locate Naturalization Records; -- Genealogical value of naturalization records.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, History

143 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 2011

About the author

For more than 20 years, W. Daniel Quillen has been a professional writer specializing in travel and technical subjects. He has taught beginning genealogy courses to university students and working adults, and is a frequent lecturer in beginning and intermediate genealogy classes in Colorado. He has compiled his years of genealogical training and research into a growing series of genealogy how-to books. He lives in Centennial, Colorado, with his wife and children.

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, concise information on immigration and naturalization records for "new" genealogists. It also serves as a refresher and a reference for "intermediate" genealogists. I have found at least one web address that has changed slightly (pg. 51 - Immigrant Servants Database). However if you search for "immigrant servants database", you will find the updated address.

Overall, the quality of the book has made me want to explore other books by W. Daniel Quillen.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty simple stuff, check NARA, Fold3, Ancestory and Google for your immigration needs. It is not apparent in the title but the book only covers US immigration records. Most of the information can be had on the Internet. However, it does put all the information where to find the data is one place, dates that certain data sets are relevant and a couple of other collections not found on the top three above. Is it worth the $10 price tag, probably if you are not familiar with what is available or where. Or it would be a good book to check out at a library and copy the pertinent data and move on.

[Trudy Pomerantz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have found Quillen's books an excellent introduction to genealogy. Having read most of his Essentials series, I do find them somewhat repetitive but did find them worth reading as I start on this adventure ie trying to trace both my and my husband's ancestors.

[Kathy KS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find Quillen's books on genealogical research to be interesting introductions to the use and finding of a variety of records. They are good for novices honing their skills, as well as more experienced researchers. Even if one is aware of these records or has used them, I often find tidbits of information or new locations of records.

Next stop: his book on census and military records!

[Lauren H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good information on those papers! I have a lot of immigrants family and those papers will be useful for me.

[Mariana Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to have all naturalization sources in one place. Still didn't help me with my search.