Finding Your Roots: Easy-to-Do Genealogy and Family History

by Janice Lindgren Schultz

A librarian and authority on genealogical research offers advice and encouragement to those who are eager to uncover their family history in this guidebook. Getting started, research techniques, interviewing tips, and effective use of the library and internet are all discussed in detail in this book that is ideal for beginners and novices. The benefits and importance of genealogical research are also explored. Also included is a discussion on how a person's own identity is linked to their ancestors, and knowledge of forebearers can contribute to a sense of security and family pride that is missing in many mobile and disjointed modern families. Showing how a soundly researched family history can also enhance an individual’s understanding of war, hardship, and larger historical events, this work grants insight into the personality traits and health issues of one’s descendants.

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2012

About the author

Janice Lindgren Schultz retired in 2013 as manager of the Midwest Genealogy Center in Independence, Missouri. She has served on many History Section committees of the Reference and User Services Association, and she chaired its Genealogy Committee, Local History Committee, Genealogy Preconference Planning Committee, and the History Section. Schultz has also served as president of the Missouri State Genealogical Association and the American Family Records Association. She has been a speaker at various genealogy conferences, the Missouri Library Association, and the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, & Museums.-- p. iv of Helping Patrons Find Their Roots."

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's more of a 2.5. The fleeting idea of doing a family tree has landed again especially since I figure the internet will make it easier. Plus, I unearthed a few quilts that go back 3 and 4 generations on my father's side of the family. I'm going to pass them on to some first cousins one removed and tried to track down some birth dates. There goes that idea again...

I found this book alternately helpful and frustrating. The author know her stuff but doesn't always explain the process well. She ignores Eastern European countries which are a huge source of immigrants especially here in Greater Cleveland. I will be going to those branches. Lots of practical starting information which I'm sure will suck you into the past.

One annoying thing, in the penultimate chapter about the Genealogical Society help never really explained the proving process. Janice Schultz mentions the search for a specific relative and then never lets us know how she figured it all out or even didn't.

[Rosemary Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had the necessary basics in easy to read style.

[Kathy KS · Rating 3 out of 5]

In general, a decent introduction to beginning genealogy/family history. As is the nature with this kind of work, some of the information is already out-of-date due to the constant influx of new online resources for research or the combining of companies.

There were a few places where more careful editing might have helped, but this in no way detracts for the good information included. I particularly liked that she reiterated the sources she had discussed during the chapter. This makes it easier to look those items up in an online catalog or finding the websites.