Review: A Call to the Colours: Tracing Your Canadian Military Ancestors by Kenneth G. Cox

A Call to the Colours:  Tracing Your Canadian Military Ancestors by Kenneth G. Cox, Ontario Genealogical Society/Dundurn Press, 2011, 337 p.

In his introduction, author Kenneth Cox explains that “A Call to the Colours refers to the flags that every regiment holds in esteem:  the king or queen’s colours and the regimental colours.” This book focuses on active military events in Canada’s history and successfully details how genealogists can obtain regimental records and historical information pertaining to the campaigns their ancestors took part in.

Most of the chapters cover one set period in Canada’s military history, such as The War of 1812, The Rebellions of 1837-38, the defense of Canada from 1866 to 1898, The Boer War, The Great War, and The Second World War. The third chapter (1866-1898) discusses service in The Fenian Raids, The Red River Expedition, The Nile Expedition, The Northwest Rebellion, and The Yukon Field Force. The remaining three chapters focus on women’s service in the military, and the unique records pertaining to Air Force and Navy service.

Military medals are often passed down through generations, and Cox has supplied a great deal of information about identifying these medals to better understand their significance. The author also provides lists of abbreviations and military terms often found in records, as well as a helpful index and an extensive bibliography.

As is often the case when reviewing older books, the website information provided can be well out of date. For example, much has changed since 2011 regarding the acquisition of military records from Library and Archives Canada. However, this book was not intended to be an internet guide to military records, even though the author does discuss web resources and provides an appendix for websites that were in place 15 years ago. I tested some of these website URLs and many are, surprisingly, still valid. But the book’s main value comes from its exploration of the types of records one might find for each military event and detailed information regarding the repositories that hold these records. The author shows how genealogists can use these documents in concert with regimental histories to create historical context around their Canadian ancestor’s military service.

Highly recommended.

 

Review: To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant

To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant, HarperCollins - Harvest, 2025, 155 p.

Tik-tokker and author Rosie Grant defines a gravestone recipe as “someone’s recipe etched into their final resting place.” Her book contains forty of these recipes, accompanied by fascinating stories about the lives of amateur cooks and bakers, now departed, as well as historical information about food, celebrations, and cemeteries. Most of the recipes included in the book come from headstones erected after 2000. This connection between cemeteries and food seems to have re-emerged in this century with the newer practice of including the deceased’s favourite recipe on their gravestone.

The recipes come from home cooks who loved to celebrate and share their culinary talents with friends and family. The stories about these individuals are touching and fitting remembrances of people who touched the lives of others through their generosity via food. From a genealogy standpoint, I would have loved to see the author include the birth and death dates in every biography. Some dates appear in gravestone images and in the text, but not consistently.

The author provides some genuinely interesting bits of historical information. Having visited hundreds of cemeteries across North America, I’m not squeamish at all about them, but I was surprised to learn that Victorians liked to picnic in rural cemeteries. It makes sense. Cemeteries are peaceful, idyllic and park-like, so, why not share a meal there?

I’m going to try some of these recipes because if someone thought to etch them in stone, they must be good. I recommend this book to genealogists who love using the oven. Most of the recipes are of baked goods, the type often shared at family and community celebrations. Will I ask to have a recipe included on my gravestone? Probably not, but I knows other who have “signature bakes” that would be worthy of such a permanent placement.

Recommended, for a fun and unusual read.

 

Review: The Way They Were: Dressed in 1860-65: A Photographic Reference by Donna J. Abraham

 The Way They Were: Dressed in 1860-65: A Photographic Reference by Donna J. Abraham, Abraham’s Lady LLC, 2008, 160 p.

I write about the photographs I find in antique stores and thrift shops on my Substack blog, Family Photo Reunion (https://familyphotoreunion.substack.com) so when I see a reference book I believe will assist me in dating pre-1927 photographs, I usually buy it. Donna Abraham’s book immediately appealed to me. Specific to cdv photographs, it covers a small window of time and only one photographic format. The back cover book blurb explains the author's intent. These images were compiled to assist costume designers, historians and students, so my specific usage (dating images) is somewhat outside the intended purpose for this book. But more on that later.

In her introduction, Abraham explains the book is “a photographic reference and companion to other documents already written about the 1860-1865 time period.” That is a crucial point. There are few words in this book. It is very much a collection of black and white photographs, helpfully organized into chapters by subject: 1) Fashions for Children 2) Fashions for Women 3) Groups 4) Fashions for Men and 5) Close-Ups.

Each chapter begins with a brief discussion about the fashion trends of the time, including fabric choices, dress style, hairstyles, common accessories and other notable details. The “Fashions for Women” chapter is understandably the longest chapter in the book, covering the many aspects of women’s fashion: fabrics, fabric patterns, dress trims, hairstyles, hats and caps, outer wear, wraps, and specialty dresses such as mourning dresses, wedding or ball gowns. Men’s styles did not change as quickly or as dramatically as women’s fashions, though there are certainly key trends to watch for.

Will this book help the genealogist who wants to learn to identify and date photographs? I believe so. I use it quite often to compare the contents with my own photographs to find similar fashion points. Abraham gives only sparse commentary on the evolution of style in this book, so it is up to the reader to observe and to note similarities and differences in the photographs. It is likely the author didn’t intend her audience to use the book in this way, but the photographs also provide genealogists with other bits of useful information, outside fashion. It also reveals how photographers commonly posed their subjects, the style of card stock available to photographers, and how to identify the types of props and settings used during this period. The book would have been more helpful if the author could have noted the specific year of each photo, if known, to show the progression of fashion over the five years. Still, photo detectives will find this collection of nearly six hundred cdv images a useful visual record of fashion and photography from the first half of the 1860s.

Review: Build Your Family Tree: A Guide for Canadians with Local and Global Roots by Lynne Butler

Build Your Family Tree:  A Guide for Canadians with Local and Global Roots by Lynne Butler, Self-Counsel Press, 2022, 222 p.

Oddly, this book’s title doesn’t mention wills or probate records even though the entire focus of Build Your Family Tree is on these types of records. I hope this oversight hasn’t resulted in it being overlooked on bookstore shelves, because this handy guide could help genealogists locate records containing rich details about their ancestors, even though these documents can sometimes be tricky to locate.

The opening chapters provide an overview of the wide variety of information that can be discovered in wills and probate records. These are often details impossible to find in other places. Since it is necessary for researchers to understand legal terms and the probate process, Butler dedicates an entire chapter to defining various probate processes and the documents they generate. In addition, she provides helpful lists of terms and abbreviations.

In Canada, there are very few online access points for wills and probate records, so in-person research is often required. More genealogists are now relying on their computer to locate records, and as a result, many family tree hobbyists are unfamiliar with researching in archives. Chapter Five provides information about visiting archives: what to expect, what to know before travelling to an archive, how to obtain copies, what to bring, the etiquette of archives, and how to create abstracts. The author also provides search strategies and tips for a successful archives visit.

Since there is not one single repository in Canada for wills and probate records, the book lists the many archives, libraries, museums, and other locations that house wills, probate records, and related documents across Canada, many of the collections are little known and specialized. There are some online sources for probate-related documents here, as well. These listings, along with the provincial resources, are hands-down the most valuable chapters of the book. The author has allotted a chapter to each Canadian province and territory and details the unique and varied collections available in those regions.

The final chapter covers International Records, which is a useful addition because so many Canadians have ties to other lands. At first glance, this three-and-a-quarter-page chapter seems far to short to cover a topic so broad. However, the author has included a “Download Kit” along with the book, accessible through an online URL, that provides information about wills and probates in other countries, complete with links to online records, as well as addresses for those archives whose records are not yet digitized. While over 30 countries have resource pages in the kit, not all countries are represented. For example, none of the Scandinavian countries are included in the downloadable files. Still, it is much like having a second guidebook at your fingertips.

The Download Kit also includes handy blank forms, mostly for abstracting information from the assortment of records described in the book.

Initially, I was taken aback by the price of the paper bound book: $49.95 CDN plus tax. After reviewing the book and realizing the scope and density of detail it contains, the price is more understandable, though it's still on the higher end of most genealogy how-to books of this type. I can recommend this title to genealogists and librarians who need a detailed, current guide on this topic. The inclusion of in-person research topics will help the book maintain its usefulness for years over titles that rely exclusively on online resources.

Review: The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide: How to Find, Record & Preserve Your Ancestors’ Graves by Joy Neighbors

 The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide: How to Find, Record & Preserve Your Ancestors’ Graves by Joy Neighbors, Family Tree Books,  2017, 239 p. 

As someone who enjoys strolling through historic graveyards and reading gravestone inscriptions, I’ve never understood the squeamishness of some when it comes to cemeteries. Yes, graveyards are “repositories for the dead,” as author Joy Neighbors describes them, but more importantly they are “a place to memorialize, visit and remember” our ancestors. Genealogists understand this and can appreciate such repositories for their societal importance. This definitive guide was written for “tombstone tourists” searching for departed family members in these resting places, to help them better understand their ancestors’ lives.

The author has divided this comprehensive guidebook into four parts. The first section, “Planning Your Trip to the Cemetery,” looks at the history and cultural significance of cemeteries, types of cemeteries, burial customs and practices. Neighbors also examines the types of records that are typically generated around a burial, including permits, deeds, plot records, maps, sexton’s records, and cemetery ledgers. This section concludes with an in-depth look at online tools such as BillionGraves and Find-a-Grave, which can help genealogists find the location of a gravesite before even stepping onto the cemetery grounds. Missing, unfortunately, are non-US-based cemetery transcription and photo projects such as CanadianHeadstones.com and GravestonePhotos.com. A checklist of useful items to take on a cemetery trip is helpful.

The second section, “Researching on Hallowed Ground,” provides research strategies for having a successful cemetery outing and gives instructions on how to safely enhance the readability of hard-to-read stones. The author also discusses how to interpret inscriptions, read old script and how to take digital photographs that capture even the most weathered inscriptions. A particularly helpful chapter, “Headstone Iconography Guide,” provides a listing of symbols and abbreviations that sometimes appear on gravestones along with their meanings.

“Part 3: Making Sense of Your Research,” concerns itself with organizing, analyzing, and sharing the information obtained at the cemetery and records office. Neighbors also provides suggestions for building upon the information found at the cemetery. She gives examples, through case studies, to show how cemetery records can be used to create a more complete life history of your ancestor. The author also includes a survey of tombstone transcription projects and websites that provide an opportunity for uploading cemetery data for the benefit of other researchers.

 “Digging Deeper,” the fourth and final section of the guide deals with other records, not found at the cemetery, but that pertain to records surrounding death, such as death certificates, obituaries, probate records, funeral home records, coroner’s reports, and other genealogy records. This helpful guide also discusses the need for cemetery restoration and preservation projects to ensure that these important places remain for future generations.

 

Review: Counting Canada: A Genealogical Guide to the Canadian Census by Dave Obee

 Counting Canada:  A Genealogical Guide to the Canadian Census by Dave Obee, Self-published, 2012, 220 p.

            Counting Canada is a much-needed guide to Canada’s federal and provincial censuses specifically for genealogists. Obee is the Editor/Publisher of the Times Colonist newspaper in Victoria, BC, and has written a dozen books on various genealogical topics, five of which are currently offered as free downloads on his website (https://www.daveobee.com/).

            The first five chapters provide background information on the history of censuses in the world and their introduction to Canada, pre-confederation. Obee also discusses how to research in these records and the many ways genealogists can access them. He also delves into the terms “de jure” and “de facto” and why the way census information was recorded has a bearing on statistical accuracy and a genealogist’s ability to locate their ancestors in the returns. If an ancestor can’t be found, Obee provides reasons for their apparent absence which may assist in eventually locating them.

            The next 14 chapters deal with specific censuses by year, detailing the information included in each census, the availability of the returns and if they are complete or partial. Maps, photographs, and charts are interspersed in the text to illustrate and add visual interest and explanation. Appendix A provides a complete list of Canadian Censuses in chronological order, while Appendix B provides readers with an original transcript of  “An Act Respecting the First Census Assented to 12 May, 1870.” Of course, this refers to the first census of the Dominion of Canada (Canada being officially formed in 1867) and not the first census taken in the area known as Canada. The book also contains an excellent bibliography of other books relating to censuses in Canada, “Internet sites of note” (some now defunct) and a comprehensive index. It should be noted that, even though the 1931 Canadian Census had not been released at the time of publication, Obee presciently included a chapter on it, along with the list of questions asked by enumerators, so researchers would know what information they should expect to find.

            Even though some of website information is now out-of-date, I can recommend this title wholeheartedly for anyone wanting to know the ins and outs of Canadian Census information as it pertains to genealogy.

Review: Finding Your Canadian Ancestors: A Beginner’s Guide by Sherry Irvine and Dave Obee

 Finding Your Canadian Ancestors:  A Beginner’s Guide by Sherry Irvine and Dave Obee, Ancestry Publishing, 2007 (Second printing, 2008), 269 p.

             I was reluctant to review this title because it is truly the definitive guide to Canadian genealogy. Most public libraries in Canada have copies, and most researchers have probably consulted this book at one time or another if they have Canadian roots. But a ubiquitous book is still deserving of a review, especially since there are people new to genealogical pursuit who may not know of its existence. A second look, 17 years after publication, may help readers assess if the book is still valuable to today’s researchers. It remains available for purchase online although, to my knowledge, there have not been any new editions.

             The book is initially organized by topic and record type, starting with a chapter on the holdings at Library and Archives Canada as well as their online databases. As I browsed this chapter of the book, I was brought back to 2000s when searching on the LAC website for census and immigration information was extremely painful. In book’s introduction, Irvine and Obee remind readers that, “the web is always changing.” I headed on over to the LAC’s genealogy website to evaluate that theory (since it had been so bad for so long) and I was pleasantly surprised about the improvements made to the search functions for the censuses. However, the pleasure was short-lived when I tried to find naturalization records, which have not made the transition to the “new site.” It looks as if the LAC website is a mixed bag. Some of the records are easy to use, and other interfaces are exactly as they were in 2008 (and earlier).

             So, heed the authors’ warning about web addresses and websites. URLs will have changed and there will be additions to the records available since then. For example, at the time of this book’s publication, the 1931 Federal Census had not been released. It is now available on the LAC website. However, even with these changes the book is still valuable to the Canadian researcher. The historical information presented about the specific record types provides researchers with solid information about the availability and access to these records. There are chapters covering the topics of vital records, censuses, immigration & naturalization, probate, military records, land and homestead records, cemetery records, and newspapers. The book is further divided into chapters for each of the provinces and territories and include a brief history of each place and any specialized records that may be unique to that geographic location. There are also snail mail addresses for important local archives, a bibliography for further research, and a listing of websites available at the time.

             The authors have included separate chapters on significant groups whose research is specialized, such as Indigenous People, the Acadians, and Loyalists. The book concludes with useful appendices dedicated to research methodologies, as well as a Canadian history timeline. Appendix C “The Internet,” can be, for the most part, ignored since so many of the websites have changed or disappeared from the web. A table of contents and comprehensive index are also included.

             I recommend this book to researchers of Canadian genealogy, especially those new to Canadian research, even with the out-dated bits. A revised edition would be most welcome, but that, too, would become out-dated in a short period of time. Most genealogists know how to use a search engine, so locating the tools to access the records described should not be a problem. The value of this book lies in the historical information it provides, the discussions around the who, why and when of each of the record sets, and the identification of likely repositories for these records.

 

Review: Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills

Evidence Explained:  Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills, Genealogical Publishing Company,  2009, 855 p.

Even though my copy of Evidence Explained (2nd edition) was published in 2009, this guidebook is such an important and must-have resource for anyone seriously interested in genealogical research, I felt it warranted an entry here on the 929 Bookcase. The third edition was published in 2017 and has several updates, most significantly, in the citing of DAR databases, the Ellis Island website records, and how the National Archives (US) website documents are recorded.

An aphorism that circulates in the genealogy community says, “genealogy without documentation is mythology.”  While there is some debate about the origin of the saying and its exact wording, the idea that genealogical information must be accompanied by sources is widely accepted by professional researchers and most hobbyists. Sometimes, though, information is shared among amateur researchers that has not been sourced. If the unsourced information is shared online, it can spread misinformation far and wide. It’s up to us, as good genealogists, to ensure the information we share is accurate, documented and sourced properly. Even if the intended recipients of this information are only close family members, it is still advised that all source information be diligently cited so that anyone who might want to retrace your research steps can find the same documents used in building your family tree.  Sourcing also benefits the researcher by making it easy to retrace their own steps when encountering conflicting information in their research. It is easier to double-check the details if you know where to look. The more detailed the citation, the easier the documentation is to locate again.

Mills’ 885-page reference book is the most comprehensive guide to citing historical sources out there. It contains virtually every type of source, whether it be online, in print, on microfilm or fiche, or in other less common formats, that a genealogist might encounter when engaged in genealogical research. The author first explains the fundamentals of evidence analysis and citation in order that the reader understands why researchers need to create proper citations, as well as the rationale behind the citation formats that Mills has created. Then she provides model templates, based on the type of record being sourced, that can be duplicated as the researcher puts these citation rules into practice. By using Mill’s templates and models, we can ensure some consistency with methods used for sourcing in the wider genealogical community.

Beginners may find Mills’ tome a bit overwhelming at first glance, but an easy-to-use comprehensive index will help them pinpoint the type of document they are trying to cite. Mills has included “quick-check models” which are examples of more commonly used document citations.

Personally, citing sources is my least favourite part of genealogy. I find it to be mind-numbingly dull work, but necessary, especially as I pass on my findings to others. Elizabeth Shown Mills’ book belongs on any genealogist’s bookcase to make the mundane work of citing sources a little bit easier.

 

 

Review: You Can Write Your Family History by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack

You Can Write Your Family History by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack, Genealogical Publishing Company, 2003, 245 p. Reprints: 2009, & 2013.

I recently rediscovered this gem of a book in my library and felt that it merited a review, even though it was originally published eighteen years ago. I was looking for a book that would provide guidance and, perhaps more importantly, the inspiration I needed to begin work on a long thought about family history book. This is one of the best books on genealogical authorship I have found.

Sharon DeBartolo Carmack is probably best known for writing the accessible and useful Carmack’s Guide to Copyright & Contracts: A Primer for Genealogists, Writers and Researchers. Here, she has produced another no-nonsense guide for genealogists, one that will enable readers to write that engrossing and well-documented family history book or journal article they’ve always dreamed about.

Carmack guides would-be authors through a writing project with a step-by-step approach, by devoting each chapter to an important point in the process. She begins by asking the reader, “What type of family history will you write?” and then discusses how to define the scope of that project. She addresses the questions that most researchers will have on their mind, including the inevitable, “Have I really found all I need to write a decent family history or do I need to research more?”

More than the usual how-to-write-family-histories guide, this book provides techniques and approaches to incorporate overarching themes into the story, and how to build suspense, humour and romance by using some of the same elements that might be found in fictional works. The author also discusses ways to use social histories to set your ancestors accurately in time and place, and how to settle on a particular narrative style to tell your unique story in the most appropriate manner possible.

She also explains how to use scenes and summaries in a work of creative non-fiction. “Scenes allow your readers to feel like eyewitnesses to the events you describe,” Carmack explains. “Summaries, on the other hand, simply tell the reader what happened in a way that moves the story along in time more quickly.” Helpful examples of various styles, narratives, and approaches can be found in the appendix.

While most of the book focuses on the gathering of information and the actual writing of a book, it also addresses post-writing concerns, such as marketing and promotion.

You Can Write Your Family History is a comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide to writing a family history. It might be just the book to inspire you to finally tell your ancestor’s story.

 

Review: Tracing Your Poor Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians by Stuart A. Raymond

Tracing Your Poor Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians by Stuart A. Raymond, Pen & Sword, 2020, 196 p.; indexes, notes, illustrations, photographs.

If you are a genealogist, you have probably identified several ancestors in your tree who were poor. In this guide, Stuart Raymond sets out to help genealogists and local historians locate information about their poorer ancestors who lived in England or Wales. He begins by providing a general history of the poor in that geographic area and introduces the reader to the institutions and systems created to address the issues of poverty, such as Poor Law, Prisons, Charities, and later, the formation of the Welfare State. 

The discussion around charities is extensive and comprehensive. The author looks at the many specific types of charity, including almshouses, apprenticeships, education, orphanages and children’s homes, hospitals, and other places of refuge. Wherever online databases exist for the records of these institutions, Raymond provides the URL along with pertinent details about the database. 

An entire chapter is devoted to the documentation of paupers during the time of Elizabethan Poor Laws, and another for the period after 1834 when the New Poor Law was adopted. The management of the poor during each of these eras left behind many records, including settlement certificates and examinations, removal orders, pauper apprenticeships indenture records, overseer accounts, vestry minutes, pauper lists, inventories and letters, workhouse documents, relief lists, bastardy records, vaccination records, school lists and more. 

Other chapters contain specifics about the lives of vagrants, criminals, and debtors and provide information about the types of records available for research. Each chapter includes a bibliography for further reading. 

This information-rich guidebook is just the thing to help genealogists understand the rules and societal expectations that the working poor, the unemployed and destitute were forced to live under in England. It also describes the many types of records that were created to keep track of the poor, and where these documents may be found today. Many are online, but the author makes a point of encouraging readers to do their in-person, on-site research, as well. This book will be extremely beneficial to the genealogist who wants to better understand their less-advantaged ancestors and the challenges faced in their day-to-day lives. Highly recommended.

Review: Out-of-Style: An Illustrated Guide to Vintage Fashions: 19th- 21st Centuries by Betty Kreisel Shubert

Out-of-Style: An Illustrated Guide to Vintage Fashions: 19^th -21^st Centuries by Betty Kreisel Shubert, 2^nd Edition, Dover Publications, 2018, 352 p.; index, illustrations, photographs.

Clothes and costume designer Betty Kreisel Shubert was inspired to write this comprehensive book after being asked to speak at a genealogy society meeting about changes in fashion. Shubert soon recognized the need for a guidebook that would assist genealogists with dating photographic images through fashion. Many such guides discuss the costume details to look for when dating images, but unfortunately, not many provide adequate photographs and illustrations of specific fashion features. Most books, sadly, do not provide enough details.

When I received Out-of-Style in the mail, without having been able to browse the contents beforehand, I was surprised to see that most of the illustrations were just that, hand-rendered illustrations, rather than photographic examples. I thought this might be a disadvantage, but as I used the book while writing my Family Photo Reunion blog posts, I came to appreciate Shubert’s illustrative methods. The drawings amplify the specific fashion differences the author wants to point out, often showing the progression of a silhouette or shift in costume design.

The narrative style is chatty and informal. Not only does the author present facts about changes in style, she also provides the “why” of some surprising fashion trends in an entertaining manner, such as in Chapter Two, “Why Hoop Skirts Were Born.” The book is divided into two main parts:  the 19^th century and the 20^th century. While much of the book pertains to women’s fashions, there are also helpful sections about men’s and children’s fashions. The first chapter provides an overview of the primary silhouettes in women’s fashion from 1830-1900 and an entire chapter is devoted to the nine sequential phases of the bustle --before I read this, I thought there were only two! Shubert also discusses the garments that are not visible in photographs but shape the sitter’s silhouette and give clues to the fashion period. Yes, I’m talking about the fascinating history of corsets, brassieres, and stockings. Special occasion clothing is also discussed in detail, including reform dress, wedding attire, maternity clothes, mourning dress, and bathing suit fashion.

I frequently use Shubert’s book alongside other reference books, such as Joan Severa's Dressed for the Photographer, to assist me with dating the fashions I find in photographs. The author has included a comprehensive index, as well as a lengthy bibliography, arranged by subject, which directs to further reading material should the reader like to delve deeper into any clothing-related topic. Highly recommended.

Review: The Family Tree Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Uncovering Your Ancestry and Researching Genealogy by Kenyatta D. Berry

The Family Tree Toolkit:  A Comprehensive Guide to Uncovering Your Ancestry and Researching Genealogy. By Kenyatta D. Berry, Skyhorse Publishing, 2018, 267 p. 

Genealogy Roadshow host, Kenyatta D. Berry has written a new guidebook focussing primarily on American genealogy for the beginner. Berry has divided the guide into the following chapters:

1) Starting Your Family History

2) United States Records Research
3) Other Records
4) Immigration and Naturalization
5) US Military Research
6) Ethnic Ancestry
7) European Research
8) Adoption Research
9) DNA

Each American state is featured on its own page with a chart detailing state birth, marriage, and death registrations, their beginnings and availability, and which online databases currently have those documents in digitized form. The book does a good job describing the contents of state records and how these records might benefit the genealogist.

Some of the topics in this book are examined briefly. The eight-page chapter on European research skims the surface of this area of study, mentioning only select countries and would benefit the researcher who has just discovered they are of English, Irish, German, Italian or Jewish heritage. The chapter on DNA is also short, only six pages long, and presents a general overview of the benefits of DNA testing for genealogists.

The chapters on US military research and Ethnic Ancestry, which covers African American and Native American research, are more detailed and provide timelines of key events, as well as tips for researching in these specialized subject areas.

The text is simply written, and is presented in large font, which may be of benefit to individuals who have difficulty reading small print. The author focusses almost exclusively on online records such as those available through Familysearch.org, Ancestry.com, Fold3.com and on other online databases, with very little discussion about in-person research at archives and local history repositories. It is likely this guide will require regular updating to keep it current because of its focus on digital records.

The Family Tree Toolkit provides researchers with a quick tool to determine which U.S. records are available online and where. For the genealogist looking for a more comprehensive guide to US records, Alice Eicholz’s classic The Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, or The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy, edited by Loretto Dennis Szucs and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking will provide greater detail about in-person research in archives and other repositories.