The Complete Beginner's Guide to Genealogy, the Internet, and Your Genealogy Computer Program
As the title indicates, Clifford strives to cover all things genealogical in this fact-filled workbook. Heavily illustrated with charts, maps, reproducible forms, word definitions, and as-you-go assignments, her book assumes that the reader is beginning genealogy research in general while learning to use a genealogy computer program. But you don't have to have a genealogy program at hand to use this book successfully, for all readers can benefit from Clifford's objectives: to set goals, apply proper research skills, employ critical analysis, thoroughly document findings, and avoid "skipping" generations. Clifford (Becoming an Accredited Genealogist, Ancestry, 1998) offers straightforward discussions of terms, types of records, and major repositories of genealogy materials. For the various records and methods of investigation, she ties in suggestions for incorporating data into a genealogy program. Each chapter ends with brief assignments, URLs, and a bibliography. Her chapters on the Latter Day Saints' (LDS) Family History Library, local family history centers, and their various databases may provide insights to even experienced researchers. Two appendixes (on the Internet and reproducible forms) complete the book. Clifford's work compares to Emily Croom's Unpuzzling Your Past (Betterway, 1995) in its approach to genealogy basics but covers LDS resources in much greater depth. For a more thorough introduction to genealogy research on the Internet, however, readers might try Rhonda McClure's Complete Idiot's Guide to Online Genealogy (Alpha, 2000). Clifford is president of Genealogy Research Associates, Inc., whose web site is referred to throughout. Recommended for public libraries.DElaine M. Kuhn, Allen Cty. P.L., Ft. Wayne, INCopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.