How to Do Everything With Your Genealogy

From family interviews and cemetery records to making use of technology and planning a research trip, George Morgan provides nearly 500 pages of well-written advice on researching family history. The book is highly readable, and numerous examples make it easy to apply the methods to your own family search. While it doesn't cover "absolutely everything" (that would require an entire bookcase), "How to Do Everything With Your Genealogy" is the perfect choice for anyone who wants just one book.

I would never have thought a book could cover "everything" about genealogy, but author George G. Morgan sure does an admirable job. While there are a few topics - such as DNA and surname origins - which aren't discussed, this book pretty much covers it all, from canvassing your home and relatives to advanced genealogy records, Internet research, and genealogy tools and software. George even finds room for some practical, hands-on advice, including how to locate Web sites that have "disappeared," alternative research paths for bypassing brick walls, and an entire chapter devoted to planning a successful genealogy research trip.

While very comprehensive given the limitation of having to pack so much information into one book, "How to Do Everything with Your Genealogy" is a bit inconsistent, however. For example, immigration records are covered extensively, while visiting the courthouse is glossed over in just two paragraphs. The chapter on Internet research seems a bit cramped, and the vast resources of the Family History Center are given only a brief mention. The index is also a bit limited and confusing. For example, Family History Centers can only be found under "LDS Family History Center" and surname spellings are found under "names - checking spelling of family" (and are buried in the chapter on census research).

Overall, however, this book is an excellent, well-written resource for beginning and intermediate genealogists. A great addition to any genealogy bookshelf!