Author Drew Smith Not Just “Talks the Talk” but “Walks the Walk” of the Genealogy Research Journey in Generation by Generation

Recently, I noticed that genealogy colleague Drew Smith, of The Genealogy Guys fame, had written a new book entitled Generation by Generation: A Modern Approach to the Basics of Genealogy. Over the past year or two, I’ve been hoping for a guide that distilled what can be an overwhelming process into just the “basics.” My hopes have come true, and Generation by Generation is just what the genealogy sphere needs right now as interest in knowing one’s roots increases each year.

Here’s a brief overview of what I believe are the major benefits of the book:

• A great overall resource for beginners. As Smith states in his introduction, the book is organized in the same order in which most of us would approach our own research: start with yourself, organize information, gather research tools, understand concepts, interview living relatives, and begin research. Then progress “up and out” as you start filling in the blanks of the family tree.

• Written from a librarian’s perspective. Many initial encounters with records useful for genealogical research take place at libraries, archives, and repositories. It only makes sense that a distinguished librarian like Smith would guide the reader through the research process as if they walked up to a reference or genealogy librarian at an institution with questions in hand. The approach is easy-to-understand with the goal of learning 1) what records are available and 2) how they can be accessed.

• Fair and even treatment of fee-based and free resources. The author not only provides coverage of what I call The Big Three paid sites in genealogy (Ancestry, Findmypast, and MyHeritage), but also to free sites including FamilySearch. Smith shows how to access each site, how to search for records, and delineates between free resources at the paid sites and what actually requires a subscription.

• Value librarian tips and tricks. I am so glad Smith spent time on sites such as PERSI and WorldCat to illustrate what the reader can do at home to locate resources. In addition, the DNA section is “stripped down and basic” as it should be and as a genealogy librarian would explain the topics to a beginner.

• Previous research ….. YAZZZZ! One of the more frequent questions I’ve received as a genealogy educator are “how do I find what someone else has already researched?” and “what do I do with research I’ve inherited from a relative?” The author spends quite a bit of time on resources that can help the reader locate previous research AND sets out guidelines on how to evaluate the quality of that research before adding it to the reader’s current research.

• A personal perspective. More and more, students of genealogy appreciate it when an educator shows personal examples of their own research journey. That’s how Generation by Generation begins: questioning whether or not the author was actually related to Aunt Annie Mae and ending with the realities of the research process: covering the next steps, how to deal with brick walls and frustration, and how to keep the research process going.

Conclusion: I’ll Have What He’s Serving … and I’d Serve It the Same Way!

Isn’t it great when you encounter an instructional guide or website, and you say to yourself: “This is EXACTLY what I needed!”? Or in my situation as an educator, you say “This is EXACTLY how I would have organized and written this book.” That excited shout of EXACTLY is how I know a guide is useful, well-organized, and will help the reader achieve their goals.

Generation by Generation: A Modern Approach to the Basics of Genealogy by Drew Smith is perfect for the beginner in genealogy and would make a great gift to a friend or family member who has expressed and interest in researching their own roots.

Special Exclusive Promo Coupon – Save 20%

I’ve put together a deal with Genealogical Publishing Company to promote Generation by Generation: A Modern Approach to the Basics of Genealogy and use can use promo code TM0323 at checkout and save 20%!

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