A List of Some Suggested “How-to” Books for Family History

• Beard, Timothy Field with Denise Demong. How to Find Your Family Roots. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1977 [CSL call number CS 16 .B35]. This volume is very extensive. It includes sections on genealogy for different ethnic groups, a listing oftlg source books and resources for each state, and a similar listing for most of the countries of the world, including those in Africa and Asia, which are often not covered elsewhere.
• Bell, James B. Family History Record Book. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1980 [CSL call number HistRef CS 16 .B358]. Includes sample family group sheets, pedigree charts, etc., as well as forms to record census information. It is a supplement to:
• Crandall, Ralph. Shaking Your Family Tree: A Basic Guide to Tracing Your Family’s Genealogy. Dublin, NH: Yankee Publishing Co., 1986 [CSL call number CS 16 .C77 1986]. A well-written book that presents basic methods clearly.
• Doane, Gilbert H. and James B. Bell. Searching for Your Ancestors. 5th Edition, revised. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1980 [CSL call number CS 16 .D6 1980]. This is recognized as one of the best general books for family history.
• Dollarhide, William. Managing a Genealogical Project: A Complete Manual for the Management and Organization of Genealogical Materials. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1988 [CSL call number CS 16 .D64 1988]. Includes master forms of pedigree charts, family data sheets, research log, correspondence log, etc.
• Eakle, Arlene and Johni Cerny, editors. The Source: a Guidebook of American Genealogy. Salt Lake City: Ancestry Pub. Co., 1984 [CSL call number HistRef CS 49 .S65 1984]. A good general introduction to American genealogy, particularly useful for its extensive bibliographies. A new edition is due in late 1996.
• Eichholz, Alice, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County & Town Sources. 1st Edition, revised. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, Inc., 1991 [CSL call number HistRef CS 49 .A55 1991].
• Everton, George B. The Handy Book for Genealogists, 8th Edition. Logan, UT: Everton Publishers, Inc., 1991 [CSL call number HistRef CS 47 .E9 1991].
• Greenwood, Val D. The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy. 2nd edition. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1990 [CSL call number HistRef CS 47 .G73 1990]. We think that this book is the best one available in the area of genealogical records. Each type of record (census, for example), is described in detail, with emphasis on the function of the record in genealogical research, i.e., how it uncovers a particular type of information. No one doing research for a fee should be without this volume.
• Lackey, Richard S. Cite Your Sources: a Manual for Documenting Family Histories and Genealogical Records. Polyanthos, 1980 [CSL call number CS 16 .L3]. The definitive work on how to document and footnote genealogical charts, reports, and books.
• Nichols, Elizabeth L. Genealogy. (#3383 of the Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge Library) Irving, TX: Boy Scouts of America, 1988 [CSL call number CS 16 .N53 1988]. We feel that this is the best single, simple source for the beginning genealogist.
• Rubicam, Milton, ed. Genealogical Research: Methods and Sources. Washington, DC: American Society of Genealogists, 1980. 2 volumes [CSL call number HistRef CS 16 .G43 1980]. Available from the Society at PO Box 4970, Washington, DS 20008. We recommend this work to people who are doing most of their research in the New England states, although other states in the mid-Atlantic, mid-West, and southern areas are also covered. The types of records available in these states and their location are discussed in more detail than they are elsewhere. Gives an overview of the types of records available for genealogical research and, on pp. 150-160, a discussion of Connecticut records in particular.
• Westin, Jeane Eddy. Finding Your Roots. Los Angeles: J. P. Tarcher, Inc., 1977 [CSL call number CS 16 .W46 1977]. Covers all aspects of genealogy and is widely available in bookstores.

Prepared by the History and Genealogy Unit, Connecticut State Library, 11-96.