He was instrumental in leading the field of African-American genealogy, and this book is the result of his efforts. Case studies and hundreds of resources guide beginners tracing their black heritage. This beginner's guide to genealogy breaks down the process into seven basic steps. Readers then graduate to more advanced genealogy lessons on topics such as land records, organization and numbering systems. Look for blank forms for copying in the back, next to examples showing how to fill each one out.
All genealogists use the census, especially now that more schedules are becoming available online.
He also discusses names of places and things, from businesses and pets to rocks and streets. A print family newsletter is still a primary means to share information and family stories. Nelson offers a clear, easily followed guide with lots of ideas for starting and maintaining a family newsletter. Written for librarians who help patrons with genealogical research, this guide also has plenty of useful information for family history hobbyists. The resources and introduction to genealogy basics make this a great beginner's guide.