In Search of Your European Roots : A Complete Guide to Tracing Your Ancestors (Paperback)

~ (Author) "People setting out to trace their ancestors in continental Europe face major problems..." (more)
Key Phrases: World War, Czech Republic, Greek Orthodox (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A convenient and easy-to-use source for genealogical information, this book belongs in all libraries, preferably with extra copies to circulate." -- American Reference Books Annual 1995

"If your ancestors came from Europe, this magnificent guidebook will lead you through the maze of locating records." -- Los Angeles Times

"If your library can afford only one European genealogy source book, make it this one." -- Library Journal, Feb. 15, 1995

Product Description

This work is designed to guide the reader through the complexities of genealogical research in Europe, whether done in person or by correspondence. It covers the various types of genealogical records available in each country, where they are found and how they are used. With up-to-date information on church, state, and provincial archives (including current addresses), and a discussion of the characteristics of each area and the ways in which they affect the research process, it opens up great possibilities for tracing ancestors in Europe. Described in detail are the archival resources of each country from the national to the local level; the location of church records and census returns; the systems of civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths; and how to find and use such records as certificates of domicile, orphan lists, emigration registers, guild records, internal passports, confirmation records, and even vaccination lists.

Besides the customary revisions and updates, this new Third Edition includes--for the first time-- telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, fax numbers, and URLS for most of the major European archives and organizations. Furthermore, now that the dust has settled on the historic upheavals of the 90s, it deals authoritatively with changes brought about by the unification of Germany, the break-up of the Soviet Union, and the dismemberment of Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Genealogical Publishing Company; 3 edition (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806316578
• ISBN-13: 978-0806316574
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #459,286 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, August 1, 2001

By	Robin G. Sowton "rsowton" (Plano, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Search of Your European Roots 2nd ed. (Paperback)

This book provides excellent genealogical resources to help you find your European ancestors from Portugal to Greece.

Baxter explains some of the considerations that are unique to each country. For example, France has a '100 years law' that limits the information that you can access if an individual's record is within the last 100 years. In Italy, there is a record called the Certificate of Family Genealogy (Certificato dello Stato di Famiglia) that can be especially useful. Research in Scandinavian countries, Wales and some areas of the Netherlands and Germany can be difficult because the surnames often changed with each generation.

Some countries receive more or less coverage in this book. For Albania, where most of the church records have been destroyed, there is just a short history. For other countries, there are lists of records, major family names, archives with addresses that you can write to, and information about how records are kept in that country. Often dates are provided indicating when the country first began census and/or church records.

Overall, this book has great details!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The essential guide to your ancestors big boat trip, June 14, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Search of Your European Roots 2nd ed. (Paperback)

Unless your ancestors walked the land bridge 10000 years ago, you will want this book to learn how you got here. In addition to learning details about emigrating from your particular homeland, you can find out about some European history in general terms that you may have missed in college. Although written before the breakup of the USSR, the section dealing with the former soviet republics gives a hint as to the chances of success you may expect if that was your home. Details such as the data in Canada from the Russian consul, and the small number of embarkation points in European ports should prove to be invaluable as you start your search.

No genealogist should be without this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The premier guide for the novice genealogist, May 23, 2001

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Now in a completely revised, updated, and expanded fourth edition, Angus Baxter's In Search Of Your European Roots continues to be the premier guide for the novice genealogist seeking trace ancestors in any and every country throughout Europe. The location of each country's national and municipal archives is recorded, in addition to the location of church records, census returns, the system of civil registrations of births, marriages, and deaths, along with pertinent recommendations on finding and using such records as foundling books, orphans' lists, certificates of domicile, guild records, internal passports, confirmation records, and vaccination lists. Here are a highly recommended wealth of telephone numbers, email addresses, fax numbers, and website addresses for most of the major European archives and genealogically relevant organizations. Of special note in this new edition is the attention paid to the changes brought about by German reunification, the break-up of the Soviet Union, and the dismemberments of Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia into smaller political states.