Shaking the Family Tree: Blue Bloods, Black Sheep, and Other Obsessions of an Accidental Genealogist

by Buzzy Jackson

“WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE DO YOU COME FROM? ”

As a historian, Buzzy Jackson thought she knew the answers to these simple questions—that is, until she took a look at her scrawny family tree. With a name like Jackson (the twentieth most common American surname), she knew she must have more relatives and more family history out there, somewhere. Her first visit to the Boulder Genealogy Society brought her more questions than answers . . . but it also gave her a tantalizing peek into the fascinating (and enormous) community of family-tree huggers and after-hours Alex Haleys.

In Shaking the Family Tree, Jackson dives headfirst into her family gene pool: flying cross-country to locate an ancient family graveyard, embarking on a weeklong genealogy Caribbean cruise, and even submitting her DNA for testing to try to find her Jacksons. And in the process of researching her own family lore (Who was Bullwhip Jackson?) she meets legions of other genealogy buffs who are as interesting as they are driven—from the boy who saved his allowance so he could order his great-grandfather’s death certificate to the woman who spends her free time documenting the cemeteries of Colorado ghost towns.

Through Jackson’s research she connects with distant relatives, traces her roots back more than 250 years and in the process comes to discover—genetically, historically, and emotionally—the true meaning of “family” for herself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, History, Biography, Autobiography, Adult, Science

241 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2010

About the author

Buzzy Jackson is an award-winning author, historian, and book critic for the Boston Globe and other publications. Buzzy grew up in the American West, moving between Truckee, California and Montana. She eventually headed for sea level, living in Perth, Australia, Los Angeles, Barcelona, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where she earned a Ph.D. in History at UC Berkeley.

Her work experience includes stints as a radio DJ, tennis hostess, NATO Headquarters tour guide, NBC Sports gopher, and college professor. She lives with her family and a freethinking dog named Ralph in Colorado.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't like to discover that someone else had the idea for what would have been the perfect book for me to write. I could still write it; my version would be very different because of my countless generations of southern heritage on every single line of my family tree, so I hope this book sells a bajillion copies, creating a market for my future book. :) Buzzy Jackson has southern ancestors, but they were rich (read: landowners and slave holders). Most of mine were moonshiners and dirt farmers, going back 200 years.

It's a well-written combination of a how-to book and a memoir. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down. Ms. Jackson is funny and perceptive, and her personality shows on every page. I really like her, even though I didn't want to. I can identify with her when she describes being a young person in a hobby that generally only attracts retirees. I was only about 26 or so when I started, and a lot of people were surprised when they got my letters. (Yes, it was pre-Internet. I had to WRITE LETTERS.)

This is an excellent memoir, even if genealogy isn't your thing.

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kairos and Chronos. The now and the eternal. Seeking individual family history or collective family history, we are here now seeking the eternal.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite my great love of history and tracing my genealogy, I do not normally enjoy reading books in which the author describes how they traced their own family tree. Likewise, I do not normally enjoy reading books that are essentially a how-to book. Jackson's book, however, was a treat to read. Instead of dry charts and lists of names, I felt as though I was joining her on her journey to find her roots. Her writing voice is that of a friend having a personal conversation rather than a writer talking down to less knowledgeable readers. Her sarcasm and her humor are very similar to my own, so I found I could really identify with her throughout her journey.

[Scott Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have done genealogy for a number of years and have found this book to match my experience in the pursuit of my ancestors. Definitely one of my favorite books this year. Buzzy Jackson brings wit and humor to the subject.

[As Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think we are related!!

Fantastic genealogy book! She covers everything!! So many marked pages; I must go back and glean all the sources and ideas again. Inspirational to go back and review my genealogy records, ancestry DNA, and descendant charts!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genealogy books tend to be about as dry as they come. If humor is incorporated, like with Megan Smolenyak's books, it tends to fall into the cheesy category. In "Shaking the Family Tree," thankfully, Buzzy Jackson finally delivers the genealogical community a book that provides a smartly humorous look at the oddities of the genealogical community.

Motherhood causes Jackson, a historical researcher by trade, to take up an interest in tracing her roots. On her paternal side, her ancestors were from Alabama; on her maternal side, Ukrainian Jews. Focusing primarily on her Jacksons, the author sets out on a cross-country trip to research her lines while also exposing herself to the traditional genealogical experiences -- interviewing elderly relatives, visiting homesteads, attending local society meetings, tracking down old cemeteries, utilizing the famed LDS library in Salt Lake. She also tries out newer approaches, like conducting DNA research and even going on a genealogy cruise.

In all of her adventures, Jackson she's an appropriate mix of wit, warmth, and wisdom. It is clear that even though she is new to the field, Jackson is a natural genealogist. By approaching the field as an outsider, however, she's also able to lovingly poke fun at some of the quirkier practices and people who make genealogy fascinating from a sociological perspective.

Jackson's relative youth compared to other genealogy memoirists means that her writing style, which includes the occasional slang and expletive, might not please some readers. Likewise, her critiques of conservative Southern culture may turn off the sorts of readers who still fly Confederate flags or attend the Church of Fox News. However, it's that same approach that makes "Shaking the Family Tree" so refreshing compared to the glutton of stale genealogy books on the market.

The book is uneven at times -- the DNA section is technical for too long, and the ending is very abrupt and leaves loose ends untied -- but overall, "Shaking the Family Tree" makes for a fun love letter to the wonderfully odd, obsessive world of genealogy in America.

[Susie James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished reading my "accidental"copy of Buzzy Jackson's "Shaking the Family Tree: Blue Bloods, Black Sheep, and Obsessions of an Accidental Genealogist" Sunday afternoon. I'd discovered it in the bin a Dollar Tree, and, as I have trotted and stalled along the trail into history and genealogy, I thought a buck wouldn't be a bad investment. As I read her book (why would she describe herself as an "accidental" genealogist?) I had a few appreciative moments. Well, I hail from some Jacksons, also, on Mama's side, and it's possible there are crossings over, though not that such was revealed. My favorite part of the book involved Buzzy's exploration of her father's roots in a tiny Alabama hamlet, during which she and a fellow traveler find an ancient cemetery, in which a cluster of Jackson ancestors were buried so long ago -- I could relate to that experience. She even trips down and out from her home in Boulder, Colorado, into Hattiesburg, Miss., to chat with other members of the "Southern branch", after which she indulges in anti-Obama or anti-McCain repartee. (She campaigned for Obama.)

[Debye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Newbies to genealogoy might see how easy it is to catch the fever, but those who do research won't really find anything new. For me, it renewed my enthusiasm for genealogy and glimpses of what a genealogy cruise might be like. Jackson hits on a lot of aspects of the research that helps you see the aspect through fresh eyes--which in turn just might inspire you to dive in with renewed enthusiasm.

[Ann Christensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed knowing that someone the same age as me is as interested in finding stories about their ancestors. I shared some of the highs of finding information about family that has passed from this life. I was a little suprised by the use of the f bomb in one part of the book. That was the main turn off but everything else was interesting. I got a little lost in the explanation of DNA. I am intrested in doing a DNA test and still not sure how it will help me with my genealogy.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining but a little shallow; Jackson seems more interested in getting a book out of her research than in gaining any true understanding of her family. And while the stories and information in the book are interesting, they're thrown together in a way that feels both haphazard and repetitive. The chapter on DNA and its connections to perceptions of race in America, though, was definitely worth reading.

[Amy Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I was once again struck by the key to genealogy: stick-to-itiveness. Yes, it takes creative thinking and knowledge of available resources, etc., but basically it takes a willingness to just keep at it and never give up. Being an optimistic idiot helps.”

Every year, I tell myself I will read more nonfiction - and every year, I fall spectacularly short of that goal. This year, my goal is 12 nonfiction books, to average about one a month, and what a fantastic book to start off with! Shaking the Family Tree follows amateur genealogist/professional historian Buzzy Jackson, as she begins the daunting task of tracing back her family’s roots. Buzzy takes across the country - from California to Michigan to Alabama - and even into the Caribbean Sea in an attempt to trace back her elusive and eccentric Jackson heritage, as well as her efforts to document the significant history of her Ashkenazi Jew ancestors. As someone who wished to be a genetic counselor during her high school years and has done very light investigation into her family roots (yeah - I’m THAT kind of nerd), Jackson seems to be the perfect narrator for the layman of rather significant efforts in this line. Her voice had to be one of my favorites I’ve had the pleasure to read, full of easy humor, honesty, and hope. This is nothing to say of the characters she introduces along the way, including cousins with endearing nicknames like hers, fellow amateur genealogists with pasttimes like taking their young children to document graveyards with them, and professional genealogists who STUN me with their depth of knowledge on the subject. Even if you don’t have an interest in genealogy, I’d recommend this piece to you as it is, at its heart, still just an incredible story.

What are some of your favorite pieces of nonfiction? Any topic you seem to lean to specifically? Let me know down in the comments below!

Originally posted at: Shelved Ramblings

[Stacey Lunsford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a few years old so some of the DNA techniques and information the author discovered during her first year of researching her family tree were in their infancy then. It was still a fun story of investigating her family's history. Her Jackson surname is difficult as it is the third most common surname in the U.S. Her mother's Jewish roots in Ukraine were not spoken of as the family had left the former Soviet Union during the pogroms and no one wanted to relive a painful past. The fun part came because Jackson was able to find humor in her different experiences: taking a genealogical cruise was great for the genealogy part -- she got to meet many of the big "names" of the genealogical world -- but the cruise part was a subculture that she didn't really understand (a whole store of glass (crystal) figurines on the ship). When she went to visit the old family farm in Emelle, Alabama, she discovered that Emelle's claim to fame (there's a sign) is that they are the location of the biggest hazardous waste dump in the country. A pleasant read for anyone who has been bitten by the genealogical bug and understands the odyssey the author is on from first-hand experience.

[Ally · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was excited about this book - I love genealogy memoirs. When I actually started reading it, I realized that it was very outdated, but a persevered. I wasn't here for genealogy tips after all, though the book is abundant with them (I didn't realize this would also be a beginner primer? Kind of annoying).

Then I got to the chapter where Jackson described attending her high school reunion. I suppose a good writer could connect this to family history research, but Jackson just wasn't doing it.

Finally, I read this line: "X, one of the quietest, nerdiest girls in our class chatting comfortably with Z, a scrumptious stud who probably lost his virginity (happily) at age nine to some high school girl and continued getting effortlessly laid for the rest of his life."

That's rape, Buzzy Jackson.

I'm sure someone has pointed this out to the author since it was published 14 years ago or whatever, but it was just the final nail in the coffin for me.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a family history collector, amateur genealogist, history nerd, and member of lineage societies—this appealed to me at every level. I learned new things and was entertained by the story, musings and revelations along the way. The author is so witty and begins the book as an amateur but in the shadow of greatness as she meets many of the “big names” in genealogy research along the way. She fully commits to learning her family history through travels, research, and interviews with family members. I leaned the most in the section about DNA and genealogy. Loved it and will highly recommend!

[Pauleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a family historian I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I chose to read it because I’d found so many good quotes from it on Good Reads.

In some ways it’s an ordinary person’s Who Do You Think You Are? Why? Quite simply because at one level she’s pursuing the hints and facts like an ordinary researcher but also had advice and interaction with the “big players” in the field. Unlike others I’m not sure I’d classify it as a “how to” book though following her steps would help.

The author’s sense of humour and perspective made it even more entertaining.

I was struck throughout the book by how fast the world of genealogy data access has moved in the past 10 years or so. Having started decades ago I’ve lived through the changes, but this book reveals the concentration even as the world of the internet has overtaken us. Published in 2009, it was interesting to read the predictions that have come true eg the digitisation, and indexing, of the microfilms of the LDS Church through Family Search. Not to mention the growth of the big commercial genealogy companies.

The number of passages I highlighted are indicative of how much I enjoyed this book and related to the story even though I have no US ancestry.

[Kyla Bayang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat account of a newbies journey into the genealogy obsession. Nice writing style of storytelling. I enjoyed her wit and humor in describing the craziness we geneas lead every day. Highly recommended. Only drawback was, it wasnt long enough for me.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breezy writing that made me feel like I was learning genealogy by osmosis while enjoying a good chuckle.

[Robin Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this memoir. I have started working on my genealogy many times, quite intensively, and then put it aside. Buzzy has some funny tales to tell, along with a lot of good tips!

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buzzy goes all out when she wants to find all of her ancestors.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Enjoyed reading about someone else's genealogy journey way more than I expected to.

[Roberta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Imagine that you have an expensive hobby. Now imagine that you have found a way to make everything connected to your hobby tax deductible! Yes! I said "tax deductible!" And that is why Buzzy Jackson is so very enthusiastic about genealogy! And you can be too!!!

This book is an advertisement for Princess Cruise Lines, Ancestry.com, Family Tredd DNA testing, every genealogical organization you can think of (Join them ALL!!) and last, but not least, Buzzy Jackson.

The two stars are for page 28, for repeating the axiom "Last year was the best time to do it" and for the person who had the sense of humor to put the "About the Author" on the last page. hahaha
On p. 5 the author states that genealogy became a popular hobby a few years ago when web sites like Ancestry.com made records available on the Internet. Before that, she claims, genealogy was only for the adopted and aspiring DAR. Roots: The Saga of an American Family is mentioned in passing on p. 12 in reference to black genealogy. This is so wrong. I started doing genealogy in 1973. I don't have to take somebody's word for it; I WAS THERE. Roots CHANGED EVERYTHING. Literally overnight genealogy and local history rooms that had been nearly empty for decades needed to be staffed. The copier had to be stocked. The volunteer couldn't do her own research or knit because new people were actually coming in to do research.

On p. 11. If the author was sure of her facts, why not say who the Librarian of Congress was in 1935? It was Herbert Putnam. He was apparently a nice guy who was dedicated to his work and served the library and the community well. In fact, he is on record as being against destroying the fire, water, and smoke-damaged remains of the 1890 Census. In December 1932, in accordance with federal records procedures at the time, the Chief Clerk of the Bureau of Census sent the Librarian of Congress a list of papers no longer necessary for current business and scheduled for destruction. He asked the Librarian to report back to him any documents that should be retained for their historical interest. Item 22 on the list for Bureau of the Census read "Schedules, Population . . . 1890, Original." The Librarian identified no records on the list as permanent, the list was sent forward, and Congress authorized destruction on February 21, 1933. At least one report states the 1890 census papers were finally destroyed in 1935, and a small scribbled note found in a Census Bureau file states "remaining schedules destroyed by Department of Commerce in 1934 (not approved by the Geographer)."

[Shasta Matova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shaking the Family Tree by Buzzy Jackson is an autobiography that talks about her genealogy experiences.

Shaking the Family Tree is about the genealogical adventures of Buzzy Jackson. She went on a genealogy cruise, interviewed some family members, takes a DNA test, interviewed famous genealogists, visited her ancestor's homeland and found their cemetery, went to Salt Lake City to visit the biggest genealogy library. I enjoyed reading the book, but she freely admits that she hasn't done very much genealogy work. I have to admit that I was a little taken aback. It's like someone who was given a quilt, and writes about it, and gets the money for writing the book, even though someone else did the quilt making. But she is forthright and gives credit where it is due.

As a newbie, she also has some insights that maybe a more seasoned genealogist would miss. For example, she talked about how easily genealogists talk about death. I can remember some looks I received when I was talking to my family members about something genealogical which probably had to do with death. And since I haven't taken a cruise or a DNA test or been to Salt Lake City, it was interesting to know what those things were like.

The concept of telling the story of how you did the research is interesting to me. I had always thought that if I had a story to tell, it would be the story of the people I found, not my story of how I found them. I've thought these little stories as interesting, but it didn't occur to me that they would be interesting to other people. I now know better.

I imagine that with all the genealogists doing all the genealogy work, there will come a day when people can put their name (or at least their grandparents) in the family tree search engine, and find their entire tree. And all the work that the genealogists have done will be able to be shared that way. Just like remembering the ancestors who came before you, I hope people remember the genealogists who put their part of that big family tree together.

Right now, as I index records for FamilySearch, I know I recognize the work of the people gathering the records and scanning them, and the work of people who indexed records I have used.

[This is a review I wrote on another site. I am deleting it from that site and placing it here.]

[Bookwoman67 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dated now (think sections on presidential politics/race relations and DNA testing) but a humorous journey with a few helpful research insights included. Especially approachable for genealogy beginners or even reluctant family members wondering why we genealogists bother.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most genealogy books are written by experts, but this one chronicles the steps taken by someone new at the hobby, and someone with a common last name as well. She does an excellent job describing the different avenues that are tackled by genealogists, from joining groups to DNA testing to a pilgrimage to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. However, I was a little unhappy with her recounting of a trip to the South to see where her ancestors once lived. She brags about working for the Obama campaign, presumably to highlight how backward the attitudes were in the South, but she only highlights her own ignorance. She ends the book by contrasting the Greek words for time, chronos (think chronology) and kairos (that a-ha moment), but gets it wrong. She comes off looking like a child who is trying to use new words in a sentence and fails - or a writer who has to finish the book in a hurry to meet a deadline! Except for these glitches, the book is very enjoyable and informative.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Buzzy's wit and sense of adventure while searching for her family history. She invites us into search, takes us for a wild ride, and leaves us hungry to continue the search for our own blue bloods and black sheep. OK, full disclosure, Buzzy is my friend and I was privy to the behind-the-scenes stories while she was writing. Nonetheless, I found myself still reading at 4:15 AM the day the book was delivered to my doorstep. I couldn't put it down. Anyone who has tramped the backwoods to find a family cemetery, or has climed an ancient ladder into a hot courthouse attic will feel the tug as Buzzy tells her own story. And for those of you who haven't discovered the joy of disturbing and entire library with the whoops and hollers of a great genealogical find ... read on. You have no idea what you're missing!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a family history buff, this book just jumped off the shelf at me as I was browsing the library. I figured that, if nothing else, I may be able to find some new genealogical resources in the reading of the book.

I found Buzzy Jackson's search for her family roots to be interesting on the whole. I did learn a few new resources as a result of reading this book and I'm hoping that information will help me in my own search. Overall, the book was a patchy read for me ... parts were fascinating and others were, umm, NOT. I sped through parts, eager to read and found myself forcing myself to keep reading in other parts. The book wasn't consistently good for me.

If you're a family history/genealogy buff, this might be an interesting read for you. If not, then you'll probably want to look elsewhere!

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in the mood for a non-fiction book when I passed the "Recommended Books" section at my local library and saw this book. I've read other "my search for my ancestors" books and enjoyed them so I picked it up. I enjoyed the author's conversational writing style. I thought what she did say was interesting as far as it went. However, I felt she did not go far enough into her own genealogy search and did not report enough of that search (well, I don't think she really did enough there and spent more time interviewing others about the subject). So in terms of being a general survey of genealogy this book is a good introduction to the subject, but in terms of recounting a personal search it does not go far enough.

[Rachel Teen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book - Buzzy makes a potentially dry topic (because prior to this read I thought I would only be interested in my own family tree) such a pleasure to read.
She writes so well, creating a logical flow to a complicated journey. Her intelligent humour and detailed facts, let alone the little side tracks into opinion and world thoughts mis together superbly. And then there are the handy resource hints and helps that Buzzy so generously shares with the reader.
Even though I've been sporadically researching my family tree for the last twenty years I've now changed up a gear and am inspired to join the local Christchurch Genealogist group!
Thanks Sarah - a delightful read!

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes genealogy books are a little...dry. Without making my own charts and graphs I can't keep track of who the author is talking about and end up skimming what should be the point of the whole book. This book was not that dry boring genealogy books full of long lists of names and dates. It covered enough ancestors to be a genealogy book but in an interesting and often humorous way. I highly recommend this book even if you aren't researching your family history (and don't be suprised if you catch the genealogy bug along the way).

[Christiane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buzzy Jackson's story is really the story of most beginning genealogists, though I never went on (or even knew there were) genealogy cruises! Jackson has some family stories and a few names to go on, and with the help of her local genealogy society, the internet, and newly discovered cousins, she travels from Michigan to Alabama, finding her ancestors and their marks on history all across the country. Any aspiring genealogist should read this book; I found it a fascinating and humorous take on the genealogy field as a whole and the weird things that are inevitably in everyone's family tree.