Hot off the presses, Tracing Your European Roots is W. Daniel Quillen’s fifth volume in his Essentials of Genealogy series. The Essentials series covers immigration and naturalization records, census and military records, family records, and more. European Roots serves as a basic research guide, breaking out individual countries and the available resources.
The first four chapters provide the reader with the basics needed to trace any European ancestor. The basics may prove redundant for the experienced researcher. However, the subsequent chapters examine individual nations and the means to research each. In general, the book covers the following topics:
- “Where to find European records
- How to access European records
- How to use the Internet to help you in your search
- Pitfalls and issues in obtaining European records
- Countries covered include England, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, and the Czech & Slovak Republics”
Quillen is a professional writer. Yet, after 20 years he can still put heart and personality into his writing. Much of the praise given to this book talks to his writing skills and his ability to express the point with clarity. Anyone ready to research those countries listed above will find some helpful hints and great starting points in this book.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Basics
- Patronymics
- Spelling Woes
- US Records First
- What’s in a Name?
- Know Your History
- Ethnic Gatherings
- Religion
- A Few Helpful Hints
3. Clues & Hints
- Family Tradition / Legend / Knowledge
- Immigration & Naturalization Records
- Emigration Records
- US Census Records
- Passport Applications
- Histories / Biographies
4. Research Tools
- Websites
- Books
- Country and Record-Specific Websites
- Genealogy Societies
5. Your British Roots
- Key Records
- Censuses
- Civil Registrations
- Parish Registration
- Wills & Probate Records
- Helpful Websites
- National Archives
- British Names
6. Your Czech & Slovak Roots
- Key Records
- Civil Registration
- Church Records
- Helpful Websites
- Archives
- Sample Letters
- Genealogy Terms in Czech and Slovak
- Months of the Year
- Czech and Slovak Names
7. Your French Roots
- Key Records
- Civil Registration — Departments
- Censuses
- Parish Record
- Wills & Probate Records
- Helpful Websites
- Sample Letters
- Genealogy Terms in French
- Months of the Year
- French Names
8. Your German Roots
- German States
- Patronymics
- Immigration Records
- Emigration Records
- Clan Books
- Sample Letters
- Genealogical Terms in German
- Months of the Year
- German Names
9. Your Irish Roots
- Geographical Units
- Key Records
- Censuses
- Civil Registration
- Helpful Websites
- National Archives
- Going to Ireland
- Irish Names
10. Your Italian Roots
- Key Records
- Censuses
- Church Records
- Civil Registration
- Military Records
- Province Archives
- Helpful Websites
- Sample Letter
- Genealogy Terms in Italian
- Months of the Year
- Italian Names
11. Your Polish Roots
- Censuses
- Passports
- Obituaries
- Passenger Lists
- WWI & WWII Draft Registration Cards
- Partitioning of Poland
- Helpful Websites
- Polish State Archives
- Church Records
- Civil Registration
- Sample Letter
- Genealogy Terms in Polish
- Polish Names
12. Your Portuguese Roots
- Portuguese Naming Trends
- Key Records
- Censuses
- Church Records
- Civil Registration
- National Archives
- District Archives
- Helpful Websites
- Professional Genealogists
- Sample Letter
- Genealogical Terms in Portuguese
- Months of the Year
- Portuguese Names
13. Your Spanish Roots
- Key Records
- Censuses
- Church Records
- Civil Registration
- State Archives
- Helpful Websites
- Sample Letter
- Genealogical Terms in Spanish
- Months of the Year
- Spanish Names
Index
Tracing Your European Roots is available from Family Roots Publishing; Item #: CS02, Price: $11.71.