Finding Your Roots: How to Trace Your Ancestors at Home and Abroad

by Jeane Eddy Westin

Now more than ever before, discovering your roots is as easy as doing some basic homework, speaking to relatives, and logging on to the Internet. In this completely updated and heavily expanded edition that includes web sites and addresses for organizations and archives that all Americans can use, readers will find:  

-- the most reliable databases and archives on the Internet; 
-- a wealth of resources for Native-American, Latin-American, Asian-American, African-American, and Jewish family historians; 
-- the best CD-ROMs and computer programs for assembling data; and
-- how to follow their roots to Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Finding Your Roots will guide readers along the path of discovery as they learn about their ancestors and create a living document of family history to pass on to future generations.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Reference

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1977

Reviews

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book, and I was pleasantly surprised that so much of the information was applicable, timely and relevant. Brilliant resources for various ethnic backgrounds and research needs. Suggestions for extensive searches, ways to claim family coat of arms, questions to ask

[Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finding Your Roots was published in 1978, although my copy was printed somewhat later, and it is very dated. There is some good information here, although I would think you would want to verify every address.

For one example of the datedness of the book: Westin mentions that the latest United States Census of Population one could access was the 1900 census. That was true in 1978. Under the 72-year rule, the 1910 census only became available in 1982. As I write this, it is June of 2022, and the 1950 census became available in April of this year. Five additional censuses are now available to family researchers.

There was no Internet in 1978. No Ancestry.com. No DNA testing. I suspect that most of the government offices and genealogical societies referenced by Westin now have addresses on the Worldwide Web. You won't need to send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to get forms back from your sources. It's a different world to what it was in 1978.

There are some good points here, though. It is still useful to know that everything comes down to name, date, and place (and maybe event). Who, what, when, and where are the key pieces of information. Your ancestor John Smith was living in Charleston, West Virginia, in July of 1932. Your ancestor Hilda Lockett was married on June 22, 1858, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Those are the kinds of data points that create a family history.

I enjoyed rereading Finding Your Roots, but it's major value now was to let me know how much has changed.

[Jonathan]

None

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geneology has becomes a pasttime for many people. Westin gives tips on how and were to trace your ancestors.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful reference source.