Ancestry Magazine

Overviews of “500 Brickwall Solutions to Genealogy Problems, How to DNA Test Our Family Relationships?”, “Online Roots: How to Discover Your Family’s History and Heritage with the Power of the Internet”,”Genealogy 101: How to Trace Your Family’s History and Heritage,” Genealogical Resources in New York.”

500 Brickwall Solutions to Genealogy Problems
From the publishers of Family Chronicle Magazine. Moorshead Magazine Ltd., 2003. $25. To order, call (800) 326-2476 or visit <www.fa milychronicle.com>.

Brickwalls are a fact of life for every family historian, but as this collection shows, they are not impenetrable. Using creativity and perseverance, genealogists describe their experiences in chiseling away at their toughest problems. Using message boards and online genealogy groups, revisiting previously gathered information, contacting mortuaries and historical societies, these genealogists refused to stop trying. Although years may have passed in their search, they continued to search for new approaches and avenues of exploration. They questioned spelling and pronunciation, wrote to newspaper editors and placed requests in newspapers, and often found answers in unexpected places. Ultimately the pieces came together in unmistakable ways, showing clear or at least promising connections. Readers can expect to find helpful suggestions, encouraging examples, and inspiration in their own research.

How to DNA Test Our Family Relationships?
By Terrence Carmichael, M.S. and Alexander Kuklin, Ph.D. AceN Press, 2000. Softcover. $19.99. To order, contact acenpress@hotmail.com.

What is the difference between mitochondrial and genomic DNA? What technologies are used in DNA tests for establishing family relationships? Using DNA testing, can we trace back our relatives who have died hundreds of years ago? If you don’t know the answers to these questions (and most of us don’t), you will find them here.

Every day, thousands of people use DNA-based methods to determine their biological relationships with other family members. Immigration, legal guardianship, and property inheritance are just some of the many reasons people may want to determine their relationships to others. The objective of this book is to outline the procedures used in DNA testing. In addition, the book includes a discussion of the history that led to understanding heredity as well as helpful definitions of scientific terms. This book wi ll help you learn how DNA technology can help you better understand your ancestry and help you answer the question, “Should I pursue DNA testing for my family?”

Online Roots: How to Discover Your Family’s History and Heritage with the Power of the Internet
By Pamela Boyer Porter, CGRS, CGL; and Amy Johnson Crow, CG. Rutledge Hill Press, 2003. Softcover. $19.99. To order, visit <www.ngsgenealogy.org>.

The Internet is a wonderful—albeit intimidating—tool for genealogists. Online Roots offers step-by-step, carefully categorized instructions that will help you feel comfortable using the Internet to enhance your genealogical research. The benefits of authors Pamela Boyer Porter’s and Amy Johnson Crow’s years of genealogy experience come together in this how-to guide that was produced under the direction of the National Genealogical Society.

Scanning the book for pertinent information is fairly easy because of the book’s intuitive organization. Each chapter covers a separate topic, such as finding immigration records, searching libraries and archives, and finding photographs of ancestors. For those who are new to genealogy, each chapter explains the benefits of the type of research specified in the chapter. Although advanced genealogists may not need this explanatory information, the specific tips about websites and collections can still provide needed help.

The Internet has become an integral part of genealogy research. Even if you are fairly comfortable with online genealogy research, chances are Online Roots will provide new methods and hints that can further your search.

Genealogy 101: How to Trace Your Family’s History and Heritage
By Barbara Renick. Rutledge Hill Press, 2003. Softcover. $19.99. To order, visit <www.ngsgenealogy.org>.

If you are interested in learning more about your ancestors and you don’t know where to begin , Genealogy 101 may be the book for you. Produced under the direction of the National Genealogical Society, this handbook will help you decide what your genealogical goals are, organize your findings, select the best genealogy software for you, and preserve your family history.

Genealogy 101 begins with a brief introduction to genealogy work, detailing the popularity of genealogy and the breadth of results you may be able to find. After this, the search for ancestors begins. Author Barbara Renick guides you through interviewing your living family members, and explains what to look for in home resources. Also, she tells you how to fill out pedigree charts and family group sheets.

Once you have gathered information about your ancestors, proper organization is critical. Renick offers suggestions for creating a research log, citing your sources, and publishing your findings. She also addresses a common difficulty in genealogy work—ascertaining the validity of the information you find. Genealogy 101 provides aspiring genealogists with a handbook that can make the pursuit of their family’s genealogy more manageable and enjoyable.

Genealogical Resources in New York
Revised and edited by Estelle M. Guzik. Jewish Genealogical Society, 2003. $49.95. To order, contact info@jgsny.org.

With all the resources and history of New York City, researchers surely need a map of the city’s facilities for genealogists. Subtitled “the most comprehensive guide to genealogical and biographical resources in New York City and Albany,” this book has been revised and updated to include websites, e-mail addresses, fax numbers, and wheelchair accessibility as well as basic information on each facility that appeared in the previous edition: name, title of director, address, street and mailing address, phone number, cross streets, closest public transportation, travel directions, hours of operation, description of resources , finding aids, description of facility, restrictions on use, fees/copies, e-mail address, and website address. Sample forms to order birth, marriage, and death records from New York City and New York state agencies covered in this book are also included.