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Tony Burroughs

Black Roots: A Beginners Guide To Tracing The African American Family Tree Paperback – February 6, 2001

by Tony Burroughs (Author)

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Trace, document, record, and write your family's history with this easy-to-read, step-by-step authoritative guide.

Finally, here is the fun, easy-to-use guide that African Americans have been waiting for since Alex Haley published Roots more than twenty-five years ago. Written by the leading African American professional genealogist in the United States who teaches and lectures widely, Black Roots highlights some of the special problems, solutions, and sources unique to African Americans. Based on solid genealogical principles and designed for those who have little or no experience researching their family's past, but valuable to any genealogist, this book explains everything you need to get started, including: where to search close to home, where to write for records, how to make the best use of libraries and the Internet, and how to organize research, analyze historical documents, and write the family history.

This guide also includes:

-real case histories that illustrate the unique challenges posed to African Americans and how they were solved

-more than 100 illustrations and photographs of actual documents and records you're likely to encounter when tracing your family tree

-samples of all the worksheets and forms you'll need to keep your research in order

-a list of the traps even experienced researchers often fall into that hamper their research

And more.

Print length

464 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Touchstone
Publication date

February 6, 2001
Dimensions

7.38 x 1.2 x 9.25 inches
ISBN-10

9780684847047
ISBN-13

978-0684847047
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The search for family origin has been a preoccupation of African Americans for centuries, long before Alex Haley's Roots. The task has become easier in recent years, thanks to the advent of the Internet and genealogy organizations. Now add Tony Burroughs's excellent primer, Black Roots, to the list of necessary research tools. Written for the general reader, Burroughs details the best methods and research techniques for mapping family histories, and explains how to navigate the endless labyrinths of myths, stories, omissions, and official records. "Genealogy is important for kids to know their heritage, who their ancestors are and what they accomplished," he writes. "If African American youngsters learn genealogy early enough, it can make a big difference in their lives. Genealogy can not only help kids understand the world but can give them respect for their elders, bridge generation gaps, and heal family wounds."

Using case histories as examples, Burroughs outlines six phases of African American genealogy: oral histories; family research to 1870; the identification of the last slave owner; the research of the owner's background; a trip to Africa; and research in Canada and the Caribbean. Burroughs shows how to research birth, marriage, and death certificates; obituaries; social security records; and even trace histories in other countries and across racial lines. With over 100 illustrations, photographs of real documents, and sample worksheets, Burroughs has put together a comprehensive guide for prospective genealogists. "Now that you have assumed the position of family historian, remember that it comes with responsibilities," he writes. "You are entrusted with the responsibility to trace your family history thoroughly and accurately." After all, your descendents are counting on you. --Eugene Holley Jr.

About the Author

Tony Burroughs is an internationally known genealogist and author who teaches genealogy at Chicago State University. He lectures throughout the United States on all aspects of genealogy, serves on the Board of Trustees for the Association of Professional Genealogists as well as other national boards, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the National Genealogical Society. He has traced two family lines back seven generations. He lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0684847043
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Touchstone; Original ed. edition (February 6, 2001)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780684847047
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0684847047
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.42 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.38 x 1.2 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #874,998 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,075 in Genealogy (Books)
- #4,861 in African American Demographic Studies (Books)
- #39,756 in Parenting & Relationships (Books)

Customer Reviews:
73 ratings

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BookLady

Great Resource

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2019

Verified Purchase

I bought this book as a Christmas present for my brother who has a degree in History and has started tracing our family's roots beginning with ancestry.com. He said the book has brought additional historical sources he'd never knew was available.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

AmericanProductReviewer

I frequently gift this book to new researchers or those ...

Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2018

Verified Purchase

I frequently gift this book to new researchers or those wanting to learn how to do African American genealogy. Burroughs has taught every level of researcher, from novice to college student. His tips save considerable time, and help you to avoid making many of the mistakes that researchers make when beginning the process.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Olive

Only general genealogy

Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2019

Verified Purchase

This is a totally ok book if you want a general introduction to genealogical research but there is little if anything specific to African-American genealogy in it. There are better general books on the market and the title of this is entirely misleading. I'll be returning the book.

Helpful

J.O. Childress

Great Guide to African American Geneology

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2014

Verified Purchase

Bought this book a few years ago. Just getting around to catching up on reviews. I have used this book, in conjuction with Ancestry.com. It was helpful, and did not put me to sleep reading it. I was adopted, and had a tough time locating records, and ideas to continue my searches. The good news is this book sits next to my bed, referring to it as needed. Its been 7 years, and i have traced a lineage of relatives back to the 18th century. I now need to do some road work, visiting county buildings, and will have this book in tow. If you like to read, this is a good book to start your search. Don't have to worry about battery life of the computer. Would suggest it as a 'buy' for others.

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

Robert L. Harris

A Genealogy Classic in the Making

Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2001

Verified Purchase

"Black Roots," by renown Black genealogists Tony Burroughs is without doubt the best "how-to" book on getting started in African American genealogy that has been written for the beginner. Bringing to bear his wide experience as a teacher, lecturer, and researcher, Mr Burroughs addresses in detail all of the traditional, as well as non-traditional, elements that make for searching, researching, and documenting a genealogy as well as family history. This book is extremely well written, illustrated, and organized; suitable for use for individual study as well as classroom use. In addition to containg numerous clear examples for his narratives in its twenty chapters, the book also has a set of excellent appendixes covering: a glossary, acronyms, traps, a short biography of Robert Elliott Burroughs (one of the "skeletons" all genealogists find, and the author's uncle), a directory of sources, and an excellent bibliography. If one buys only one book this year, I strongly recommend: "Black Roots," by Tony Burroughs.

19 people found this helpful

Helpful

Whitney P.

464-pages of very helpful info

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2019

Verified Purchase

I just recently began to research one side of my family history and geneology. This book is much larger than I had expected (which is great). It's all black-and-white, I wish the photos of documents and pictures were in color, but aside from that I'm very pleased with this book.

Helpful

Execellent resource for someone new to African-American genealogy research.

Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2018

Verified Purchase

This is an execellent resource for someone new to African-American genealogy research. The book condition provided by the seller was just as advertised. I will definitely purchase from this seller again.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Amazon Customer

The publication is easy to read and to digest the material.

Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2019

Verified Purchase

This publication is an invaluable research tool and prepares the researcher for the experience of going to their local, state and federal governments and college/university repositories to continue their research and find the documentation that they are seeking, This is a comprehensive and well documented publication for all levels of genealogists.

Helpful

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Black Roots: A Beginners Guide To Tracing The African American Family Tree Paperback – February 6, 2001

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