Secrets of Tracing Your Ancestors

by W. Daniel Quillen

 

Secrets of Tracing Your Ancestors, now featuring a two-color look, is an easy-to-read guide to beginning genealogy.  Quillen teaches the basics of getting started and guides readers through the tricks and techniques of professional genealogists, and best of all the book is filled with real-life examples. Readers are pointed to the most current web sites and government records where information can be gleaned.  Overlooked resources – such as military records – are identified and instructions for procuring and using them are included.  Readers will also be treated to detailed suggestions on how to write an effective and interesting life history that will be treasured by the budding genealogist’s descendants.

 

This third revised edition has expanded and revised sections in Internet research, including new techniques and web sites; ethnic research; the latest information available on census access and availability; and more ideas on how to do your own Life History.

 

QUOTE:  “Shows those new to the hobby how to begin, while showing seasoned family historians some new tricks … with passion and a touch of humor.” – Family Chronicle Magazine

 

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2003

About the author

For more than 20 years, W. Daniel Quillen has been a professional writer specializing in travel and technical subjects. He has taught beginning genealogy courses to university students and working adults, and is a frequent lecturer in beginning and intermediate genealogy classes in Colorado. He has compiled his years of genealogical training and research into a growing series of genealogy how-to books. He lives in Centennial, Colorado, with his wife and children.

Reviews

[Trudy Pomerantz · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I begin my grand adventure of exploring my roots, I found that this book was just what I need. He very early dealt with the problem of what to do with all the paperwork that will be generated - or in my case that I already have. The system, as described, made intuitive sense to me and I no longer feel overwhelmed by the papers. I liked his description of how to use the various options that are available to continue research - and once I have organized the information that I have already acquired I look forward to using his recommendations.

[Kathy KS · Rating 3 out of 5]

A basic introduction to doing family history. This edition was published in 2014. Unfortunately, much has changed in genealogical research and internet resources in over ten years, so some of the information is potentially out of date, although the author gives hints that might lead readers to the same, or similar, sites today. The chapter dealing with DNA's use in genealogical research is most noticeably too old. The bare bones is available and illustrates some possible uses, but there is NO real data about autosomal DNA and how to use matches. This is the type Ancestry, MyHeritage, and others use, so that would be what readers would need to know. (FamilyTreeDNA is the best known business that does Y-dna and mitochondrial, which are types mentioned in the book.)

It appears there might be an 8th edition, but I didn't have access to it. It's possible that the above comments may be superseded there.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has basic information if you are starting on your family journey.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great refresher course in genealogy! Lots of good tips to check out.

[Josh Liller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been doing personal genealogy on and off for a few years now, but was never really taught how to do it. Instead I picked up things in years of working at a library with a genealogy room - the same library which also has a subscription to Ancestry.com. I have also been learning as I go and know a bit about research from being a History major. Due to the uneven nature of my genealogical education I figured I would pick up a decent guide to brush up on my knowledge and learn a few things I should probably know by now. I've also been a bit disorganized in my research at times and hoped for a few organizational tips.

I did get a few tidbits from reading this book, but nothing major. The book was fairly well structured and written so it seems like a good well-rounded introduction to genealogy.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah genealogy is REALLY accessible. It might be a little scary the information genealogists can find out... but I am excited to use this info to research my family.

There is advice here about everything from different ethnicities to adoptions to computer literacy to software to old fashioned research. GOOD easy red.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fine read. Can't say it had a great deal of new information, but lots of genealogy books stay pretty much the same thing. I like the checklist at the end of each summary. Learned something new about the "son of". Many last names are the son of like "Mc" and Eben. Still I was hoping to learn something that many other books didn't say.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a basic genealogy aimed mostly at beginners although, like many books there are a number of good ideas hidden for those that are more advanced. Quillen'a approach is very traditional with only minimal suggestions for online research of your family history.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is rather average as far as genealogy how-to books go.
The best parts are the checklists and additional resources at the end of each chapter.
Probably a decent guide for beginners but I think there are better ones out there.

[Melissa Frye · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great resource for genealogists. I found some fantastic tips for organization as well as research.