Important for Beginners: Your Research Will Take Time

This is the most serious book out there and is only for the people who have been bitten severely by the genealogy bug.

It is the simply the best. Do not start out with this – it is far too confusing for the amateur. Wait six months to a year until you know the ins and outs of the hobby before exploring this far afield.

The best book for the complete beginner is “Netting Your Ancestors: Genealogical Research on the Internet.” Cyndi Howells wrote the book.

Be Discriminating

She is famous for the best individual site on the web, “Cyndi’s List of Genealogical Sites on the Internet.” This website is literally an encyclopedia of all genealogical websites in alphabetical order.

However, the drawback to this book is its simplicity. It discusses how to use browsers, email, and other topics already known to most computer-literate people.

The other types of books that are valuable are historical. These are histories of various communities, sometimes written by volunteers, others by historians for historical societies of specific areas.

A Sure Path

If, for example, you know that your family came from Minnesota, you can check the Minnesota Historical Society.

Every state has one. Many cities and geographic regions have them also.

In many cases, volunteer historians will look up information for you. For a small price, usually 25 cents a page, they will photocopy it and then send it to you.

Clearest Route

Ancestry.com is the best and simplest search engine to use. They have everything listed from World War I registrations, marriages, births, deaths, census reports and almost anything else you could imagine.

They also have cemetery records and newspaper obituary notices from many years ago.

It is the easiest way to find the information you need. It can be used without charge at any Mormon Family History Library.

Hours and Hours

The main thing to remember about research is that it takes time. If you go the History Library, be prepared to spend eight hours there.

That is why if you are really bitten, it is easier to purchase a subscription. They are available at many levels.

Chunks of Time

Finally, if you have an entire day with nothing to do, you can always Google the name of the person you are looking for.

I have found a great deal of information this way. However, I spent four to six hours doing it. Good luck.