Unpuzzling Your Past, by Emily Anne Croom, is a best-selling basic guide to genealogy. This book does well because it give consideration to way our ancestors lived and not just names and dates. In addition, the book focuses on using living family members as a primary source of data and information on both living ancestors as well as those who have passed. Story telling and interviews are key to the collecting of family history and this book leaves nothing out.
According to Croom, “The purpose of Unpuzzling Your Past is to give readers the information and tools necessary to learn to research wisely and achieve the best possible result.” This concept is not new, teach budding genealogist how to conduct research and how to think past problems. A list of sites and a few blank charts may get someone going, but it won’t keep them going for long. Emily uses this book to teach newbies how to succeed with a focus in the book on four key points: “(1) answering basic how-to questions, (2) encouraging the use of family and public records, (3) promoting sound research methods, (4) illustrating the process with pertinent research examples.”
Croom is an expert in research, holding a master’s degree in history. She has written several articles, multiple family histories, and other books for genealogists, including, The Sleuth Book for Genealogists, The Genealogist’s Companion and Sourcebook, and A Genealogist’s Guide to Discovering Your African-American Ancestors (co-authored with Franklin C. Smith). Her expertise as not just an avid researcher, but as a dedicated professional with skills as an educator are clear in the details of this book.
Expanded Table of Contents
Foreword
1 In the Beginning
- Can You Name Your Great-Grandparents?
- Ancestors and Generations
- Why the Jigsaw Puzzle?
- Organize Early and Often
- Choose a Focus Ancestor
- Taking Notes
- Computers?
- Things to Do Now
2 Charting Your Course
- Five-Generation Chart
- Family Group Sheet
- Chronological Profile
- Things to Do Now
3 Strategies for Winning in Genealogy
- 1. Be Systematic
- 2. Be Resourceful
- 3. Be Thorough
- 4. Be a Cluster Genealogist
- 5. Be Considerate
- 6. Be a Cautious Detective
- 7. Be Passionate About Accuracy
- 8. Be Smart: Document Your Facts
- Things to Do Now
4 What’s in a Name?
- Spelling Variations
- Anglicized, Translated, and Changed Names
- Clues in Names
- Nicknames and Abbreviations
- Fads and Eras
- Cautions for Genealogists
- Things to Do Now
5 Begin Solving the Puzzle With Interviews
- At Any Beginning
- Interviewing for Vital Information
- Conducting and Taping an Interview
- Things to Do Now
6 Hand-Me-Downs: Family Traditions
- Oral Tradition in Family History
- Customs As Traditions
- Things to Do Now
7 Life History: Beginning to End
- Collecting Family Stories
- Interview Questions: Childhood
- Interview Questions: Teen Years
- Interview Questions: Adulthood
- What Were They Like
- Family Medical History
- Things to Do Now
8 History as the Family Lived It
- Family Life in Any Generation After 1900
- 1920s
- The Great Depression and the 1930s
- World War II and the 1940s
- 1950s and 1960s
- 1970s and After
- Things to Do Now
9 Family Sources and Beyond
- Checklist of Family Sources
- “Spice” From Family Sources
- Choosing a Research Focus and Making a Plan
- Things to Do Now
10 Beyond the Family: Federal Census Records
- Understanding the Census
- Reading Census Records Effectively
- Supplemental Schedules
- Soundex
- Challenges of Census Reading
- Census Check Form
- Things to Do Now
11 Beyond the Family: County and State Sources
- County Courthouses
- Marriage Records
- Wills and Probate Records
- Deeds and Property Records
- Other Courthouse Records
- Checklist of State Sources
- Things to Do Now
12 Beyond the Family: Local Sources
- Cemeteries
- Newspapers
- Local Schools and Colleges
- Local Churches and Religious Organizations
- Local Historians and Elders of the Community
- Local Libraries
- Other Local Sources
- Checklist of Local Sources
- Research Tips
- Interlibrary Loan
- Things to do Now
13 Beyond the Family: Additional Federal Sources
- The National Archives
- Military Records
- Federal Land Records
- Immigration and Naturalization Records
- Native American Records
- African-American Research
- Other Federal Sources
- Things to Do Now
14 Where Do I Look for That?
- Birth, Death, and Age Information
- Marriage Date and/or Place
- Names of Family Members
- Mother’s Maiden Name
- Ancestors on the Move
- Occupation
- Political Affiliation
- Housing or Living Conditions
- Country of Origin
- Things to Do Now
15 What’s in a Date?
- Writing Dates
- Reading Dates
- Old Style and New Style Dates
- What Day of the Week?
- Using Dates
- Things to Do Now
16 Read It Right: Handwriting of the Past
- Quirks in Style
- Deciphering Transcribing
- The Older Style
- Numbers
- Marks
- In Documents
- Things to Do Now
17 Fitting the Pieces Together: A Case Study
- The First Generation: Ella Lee
- The Second Generation: Cordelia
- Challenge: Cordelia’s Birth Date and Birthplace
- Endnotes
- Things to Do Now
18 Sharing Your Family History
- Writing a Family History
- Family History Collection
- Things to Do Now
Appendix A: Glossary and Relationship Chart
Appendix B: National Archive and Regional Branches
Appendix C: Federal Census, 1790–1930
- Which Census Reports…?
- First Federal Census Available for Each State
Appendix D: Blank Forms
- Five-Generation Chart
- Alphabetical Ancestors
- Family Group Sheet
- Census Check Form
- Map
- Census Forms 1790–1930
Bibliography
- Bibliographies in the Text
- Cited or Selected Works for Further Reference
Index
Unpuzzling Your Past is a great first guide for new genealogist as well as a reminder to all family historians of proper research technique and the best ways to use the living to find key family information. Get a copy today from Family Roots Publishing; Item #: GPC1222, Price: $37.19.