Book Description
Genealogy is one of the hottest topics on the Internet, with thousands of sites, forums, and newsgroups clamoring to help--or confuse--family history sleuths. How do you cut through the noise and find the best tools to trace your roots? This opinionated guide can help. Zeroing in on the science of online genealogical research, author Pamela Rice Hahn shows you how to:
- Map out a research strategy
- Target the best Internet resources>
- Dig up info and swap leads with other researchers
- Evaluate genealogy software
- Steer clear of hype, dead ends, and time-wasters
- Organize a family reunion
Back Cover Copy
The inside scoop… for when you want more than the official line! Remember when researching your family history meant hiring expensive consultants to trace your family tree and connect you with long-lost ancestors? Today, the Internet has made going back to your roots easier, cheaper … and more fun! Genealogy is one of the hottest topics online, with thousands of sites, forums, and newsgroups clamoring to help family history enthusiasts. But with so many options available, how do you sift through them to find the most reliable online resources? If you're researching your genealogy on the Net, you want to know which sources the professionals and successful amateur genealogists use. You want the inside scoop. The Unofficial Guide™ to Online Genealogy is designed to give savvy consumers such as you a foolproof appraisal of everything from getting started with your cybersearch to charting a clear path through the e-maze of history. The Unofficial Guide™ to Online Genealogy is intensively inspected by The Unofficial Panel of Experts: Matthew Helm is the publisher of Journal of Online Genealogy; John Scroggins received the Federation of Genealogical Societies Award of Merit for his efforts to increase public access to the government's genealogy files; and Tim Stowell has provided expertise to 13 countries for the USGenWeb Project. These specialists ensure that you are armed with the most up-to-date insider information on the subject of online genealogy and are told exactly what "the Official establishment" doesn't want you to know. Vital Information on the Web sites, user groups, and other Net resources you can't be without! Insider Secrets on optimal record keeping and savvy e-mail tactics. Money-Saving Techniques on using free search services rather than paying for resources. Time-Saving Tips on mapping out a clear, focused research path. The Latest Trends in filling mysterious family history gaps—names, places, dates, and relationships. Handy Checklists and Charts for locating and tracking legacy family documents.
