Hull, Lise. Tracing Your Family History

 

genealogy book: Hull, Lise. 'Tracing Your Family History: The Complete Guide to Locating Your Ancestors and Finding Out Where You Came From.' Pleasantville, New York: Reader's Digest. 2006

In Tracing Your Family History: The Complete Guide to Locating Your Ancestors and Finding Out Where You Came From, Lise Hull introduces the new family historian to the wonderful hobby of genealogy. The author challenges conflicting family information by encouraging the reader to persevere with a positive attitude and the right tools. You are reading this review and then hopefully the book, so you do have the right attitude! The tools will be explained in this Reader's Digest book. The tools will assist the reader from the beginning by defining goals to locating living relatives.

"Tracing your roots may seem like a straightforward project, but don't be surprised when you have to branch out and follow several pathways to reach your goal." A page of common myths sets the tone for serious researchers. The answers to these myths, tracing your roots is easy or official government documents are always correct or my surname has always been spelled that same way, and more will be found on page nine. Several of the pathways covered by the author include finding records for adoption, convicts, immigration, maiden names and land records.

These pathways cover worldwide records. Example, where would the reader find UK probate records? For the answer, read page 137. Where would the reader find the government repositories for UK, US, Germany, Italy, Mexico, France, Australia, Poland or Denmark? For multiple URLs, read pages 32-35, 208-213. Every topic is rich in resources and key information. Example, a funeral director may offer key information for the location of the gravesite, family names and relationships. The author offers a Do and Don't list; in this example, make an appointment.

What makes this book unique?

• international source suggestions
• library, museum, repository sources
• variety of topics

Hull, Lise. Tracing Your Family History: The Complete Guide to Locating Your Ancestors and Finding Out Where You Came From. Pleasantville, New York: Reader's Digest. 2006. quote from page 7.

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