Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Shown Mills (Author, Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0806316489 | ISBN-13: 978-0806316482 | Publication Date: May 1, 2001

Professional Genealogy is a manual by professionals for everyone serious about genealogy. For librarians who struggle to help a whole new class of patrons, it provides a bridge to the methods, sources, and minutiae of history, up-close and personal. For established genealogical professionals, it offers benchmarks by which they can advance their skills and place their businesses on sounder footing. For all those who dream of turning a fascinating hobby into a successful career, Professional Genealogy details the preparation and the processes

Product Details

• Hardcover: 680 pages
• Publisher: Genealogical Publishing Company (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806316489
• ISBN-13: 978-0806316482
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #276,652 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elizabeth Shown Mills is an internationally acclaimed historical researcher and writer who has spent her life studying American culture and the relationships between people--emotional as well as genetic. Featured on BBC, CNN, PBS, and other networks in the U.S., U.K., and Australia, she has been widely cited as "the genealogist who has had the most influence in the post-Roots era."

Her 13 prize-winning books range from reference works such as "Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace" (Library Journal 2007 Best Reference) to the historical novel, "Isle of Canes," which chronicles a family of freed slaves across four generations, and is drawn from Mills's own research in the archives of six nations.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Professional Genealogy, July 31, 2001

By 

Tim "Hagen" (Virginia Beach, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians (Hardcover)

This comprehensive manual for professional genealogists is a "must have" for any serious genealogical researcher. Each chapter, which contains sections written by 23 professional genealogists, covers a different aspect of using professional skills to produce quality work. The topics covered include every aspect of professional genealogy, from legalities and ethics, to education, research, compiling research reports, and publishing. Although the manual is intended for professional genealogists, I would strongly recommend it to every hobbyist. There are chapters which are obviously more useful to the professional, such as, "Career Management", but most of the topics simply pertain to producing quality work, and would benefit the serious hobbyist. With 654 pages, it covers the same amount of material as several "lighter" books. It would be hard to imagine a question that is not covered by this manual, which is destined to become the standard in this field.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for Professional Genealogists and Hobbiests Alik, December 18, 2003

By 

Sarah Ashley (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians (Hardcover)

You don't have to be a professional to benefit immensely from Professional Genealogy. I purchased this book when I first began offering my services as a professional researcher, and wished I had acquired it sooner.

The book is filled with useful information for professional and hobbyist alike, such as tips on building a library of "essential texts" (including an extensive list of resources for ethnic research), samples of research reports and guidelines for proper reporting, steps for determining the validity of a document, as well as the validity of published research...the list goes on.

Each chapter has been created by a different expert in the field of genealogy, it is well cited, and gives a list of further recommended reading.

I used this text everyday as I was developing my company, and it walked me through the complicated process of writing business plans, creating and executing contracts, organizing, filing, and marketing. This is the perfect gift for the aspiring professional, or anyone who is serious about genealogical research.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You're Serious About Your Genealogy..., February 10, 2006

By 

Nancy Burns (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians (Hardcover)

This book was a splurge for me, but one that I can definitely say was well worth it! I thought I knew quite a bit about genealogy research, but this book has taught me so much more. Each chapter is written by a professional genealogist who specializes in the topic. While some chapters are geared towards genealogists starting their own research business, most are helpful to all genealogists. Lots of excellent examples of proper research methods and techniques.