The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

~ (Author), Kay Germain Ingalls (Author) "Your friend is excited about the family reunion and the chart showing his descent from Pocahontas..." (more)
Key Phrases: descendant chart, family group sheet, research calendar, National Archives, Tree Tips, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The single best ‘beginner’s guide’ in the genealogical field. -- Elizabeth Shown Mills, editor of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly

Review

The single best ‘beginner’s guide’ in the genealogical field. (Elizabeth Shown Mills, editor of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 2nd edition (January 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592574300
• ISBN-13: 978-1592574308
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,696 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great in all the right ways!, November 23, 2000

By	Chad (Tulsa, Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Idiot's Guide To Genealogy (Paperback)

A very helpful genealogy reference for the beginner. Especially helpful if you're in the "I want to trace my roots. How do I begin, where do I start, and how do I go about doing it?" situation.

Contains a lot of helpful common sense tips that will prevent future headaches. A lot of well thought out suggestions and tips too.

I especially like how when they suggest you talk to your extended family and interview them for genealogy information that you be patient with them and let them tell their stories. A lot of well-mannered tips like these are what elevate this book to excellence.

A lot of the confusing aspects of genealogical research such as document requests and providing proof and evidence are well covered.

I highly recommend this book for the beginner to intermediate level genealogist.

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you buy only one genealogy book, buy this one!, May 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Complete Idiot's Guide To Genealogy (Paperback)

I bought this book when I hadn't yet done any research at all about my family history. A year and a half later, I have a file drawer full of information, and I have needed no other reference. I also bought a book called The Source,which is supposed to be the 'genealogist's bible', and it has been a giant paperweight in comparison. Idiot's genealogy is full of the kind of practical information that can carry you through years of research. Happy hunting!!!

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous reference, October 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Complete Idiot's Guide To Genealogy (Paperback)

I used this book as a reference when I was writing The Family Tree Detective (my children's book about genealogy). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy is sensational. The authors make a lot of potentially complex material easy to understand. They also write in a fun-to-read style: something that you don't always find in genealogy books! This is definitely a book you'll want to add to your genealogy library.