GREAT READS

Genealogy Online

Elizabeth Powell Crowe.

I've always felt like I might be a bit of a geek, but now I have objective evidence: I have read a 461-page reference book from cover to cover. In my defense, the book - Genealogy Online by Elizabeth Powell Crowe - is jam-packed with useful information on how to get started researching your family tree on the Internet. I don't have a lot of time to devote to genealogy right now, nor am I quite ready to purchase an Ancestry.com membership, so this was a great introduction to sources I can use little-by-little. While Crowe describes fee-based services, plenty of free websites and services are highlighted, as well as tips on contacting organizations and government agencies.

It's common knowledge that country and state boundaries have changed over time, but did you know that calendars have, too (particularly in France)? Have you ever considered that your distant cousins might be on Facebook? Or, did you know that the LDS has Family Centers in our area that provide genealogy sources for free?

That's just a taste of the tidbits you'll learn in this book. This book is a broad overview of sources, so if you're looking for particulars, look elsewhere. But if, like me, you're overwhelmed with the amount of information available and want someone to separate the wheat from the chaff, take a peek. But be warned: this hobby is addictive!

Recommended by Leah Youse