Review: The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide: How to Trace Your Germanic Ancestry in Europe by James M. Beidler

The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide:  How to Trace Your Germanic Ancestry in Europe by James M. Beidler, Family Tree Books, 2014, 239 p. 

            Tracing Germanic roots can be tricky. An abundance of surname variations, a foreign language, an unfamiliar cursive script, and frequently changing boundaries within Germany are just a few of the difficulties associated with researching in this area. For the non-German-speaking genealogist, gleaning information from German parish records and documents might seem like a daunting, if not impossible task. For anyone just beginning to research their German ancestors, a good reference book that addresses the unique challenges specific to Germanic research is essential.

            James Beidler has divided his book into three parts. The first part, “Linking Your Family Tree to German-Speaking Nations” looks at German immigrants to North America and how to determine their place of origin using records found in the new country.   Beidler’s focus is on German-American immigrants and, unfortunately, not much is said about those who came to Canada.  Part two, “Getting to Know the Old Country,” provides necessary information about Germany’s geography and the German language, including surnames and their variations, along with given-naming patterns. Part three, “Tracing Your Family in German-Speaking Nations” systematically details civil registration, parish records, census and court records, military documents and other printed records that are available to the researcher. The author also includes research information for Austria and Switzerland, as well as for the German-speaking micro-states of Luxembourg and Liechtenstein. The final section, “Advanced Sources and Strategies,” contains case studies for various types of research problems as well as methodologies for breaking through genealogical brick walls.

            Beidler has provided several useful appendices including a German alphabet chart covering modern script, fraktur, sütterlin, kurrent, and old handwriting styles. He also includes a list of commonly found genealogical terms, numbers, and months spelled out in each of these handwriting styles. Also included are sample letters in German to request civil and parish records, a comprehensive bibliography for further reading, and contact information for the various archives, libraries and societies relating to Germanic research.

            Researching ancestors in German-speaking countries does present unique challenges for the English-speaking genealogist.  The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide should enable those new to German research to overcome these challenges.

Review: Inheritance in Ontario : Wills and Other Records for Family Historians by Jane E. MacNamara

Inheritance in Ontario : Wills and Other Records for Family Historians by Jane E. MacNamara, Dundurn, 2013, 138 p.

            Part of the Dundurn Press’ Genealogist’s Reference Shelf series, this book by Jane E. MacNamara examines estate files in Ontario.  Wills, probate records and other estate files can provide a wealth of information for the genealogist, not found in other sources.  Sometimes these documents will include details concerning the personal holdings of an individual.  If you are lucky, they might clearly define the relationships within a family, and bring to light the state of these relationships at the time of an individual’s death.  But finding these documents can present a challenge, and this is where this guide proves most useful.  The author helps readers discover if their ancestor even had a will and to locate the court in which these records were likely to have been handled.

            MacNamara presents a concise history of court records of Ontario starting in 1763, and goes on to discuss the various court documents and processes up to the current day.  She presents information regarding the Court of Probate (1763-1858), the Surrogate Courts (1793-1989), Records of Inheritance in the Land Registry Office, as well as other records of inheritance that may have been produced outside of the courts.

            Included in the book is a glossary of basic terms found in estate records, a detailed listing of repositories in which these records may be kept, and numerous case studies illustrative of specific situations found in estate records.  Also provided are two helpful appendices.  The first Surrogate Courts Archival Series Numbers , lists numbers designated by the Archives of Ontario for each county.  The second appendix, Published Indexes to Ontario Estate Records, also arranged by country, directs readers to indexes that were compiled by historical or genealogical societies, and private citizens to aid in locating various estate records.  A good index, along with helpful illustrations, boosts reader-friendliness.

            This well-researched, comprehensive overview of estate records provides the Ontario researcher with the required knowledge to locate those elusive, but genealogically valuable wills and probate records.

Review: Divorced, Bigamist, Bereaved? by Rebecca Probert

Divorced, Bigamist, Bereaved? by Rebecca Probert, Takeaway, 2015, 209 p.

             A follow-up to the author’s earlier work, “Marriage Law For Genealogists,” this book takes a closer look the end of marriages, and at remarriage, from 17^th  to the 20^th century in England and Wales.  During this period, marriage most commonly ended with the death of spouse as obtaining a divorce could be difficult, and in some cases, impossible to obtain.

            Probert’s study is broken into five chapters:  1) Divorced  2) Separated 3) Bigamist 4) Bereaved 5) Remarriage to the Same Person.  In each of the chapters the author uses case studies from her own research to illustrate the sets of circumstances that could exist when encountering these various states of marriage endings in one’s own research.  She provides the information required to understand the rules and expectations that society had for marriage in general, and for its dissolution.  In her chapter on divorce, for example, the author discusses the strict divorce laws in place in England throughout the years, what had to be proven in order to obtain a divorce, what the chances of a successful marriage dissolution were, who was most likely to be able to obtain a divorce, and the rules around divorcees and remarriage.

            Included in the introduction is a brief glossary of terms found in records pertaining to marriage law.  Also provided is a detailed table of contents, an index and a bibliography.  Divorced, Bigamist, Bereaved? is a thoroughly interesting, accessible read that imparts important background information that will foster a better understanding of the marriage and the course of its endings for family historians.