Product Description

Complications arising from incomplete or missing records, census irregularities and individuals of the same name occur more often than non-genealogists might think. The author, a respected genealogist, helps intermediate to advanced researchers break through these "brick walls" by breaking down each researcher's common problem into a chapter with straightforward solutions. Readers will: Go straight to the answers they need without wading through theory or irrelevant records overviews; Find explanations and case studies easily understood and useful for intermediate or advanced genealogists; Learn what NOT to do in research to avoid hitting brick walls in the future. The result is the best and most accessible book on the market about overcoming obstacles, from Family Tree Magazine and Family Tree Books, the sources of genealogy's most popular publications.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19853 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

From Booklist
Rising immediately warns that this genealogical troubleshooting guide is not for the novice family historian. However, those already involved and well versed in genealogical research will benefit greatly from these handy problem-solving techniques, tools, and methods. After hitting an "inevitable brick wall," even knowledgeable researchers are apt to give up too quickly. To avoid this frustrating scenario, the author provides tips for locating missing documents; overcoming census omissions; recognizing and availing oneself of "collateral kin" and neighbors; interpreting court, probate, and property records; distinguishing among individuals of the same name; and finding elusive ancestors who lived before 1850. Although beginners will need to consult more basic handbooks, advanced genealogical investigators will welcome this valuable resource. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author
Marsha Hoffman Rising is a highly respected author, lecturer and researcher, and the recipient of the National Genealogical Society Award for Excellence, given for outstanding articles. She has been in the genealogy field for more than 20 years and lives in Springfield, Missouri.

Customer Reviews

No Index
As a genealogy reference or guide I found this book to be a dud.

It has almost the worst Index I have ever seen. Sources that are mentioned in the text are not in the index nor clearly explained.

As an example the source I know as the "Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature" was mentioned, more than once, under an odd acronym and I did not find any explanation or comment on the acronym or the different title.

Brick Walls
This book is excellent to assist the serious genealogist. It requires some dedication to follow through the suggestions but if you do, you will learn a lot. Unfortunately, for all my dedication, I still have not uncovered my paternal grandfather's secrets. But I have not finished traveling all the paths the book suggests. Some I have, some are still waiting. I would recommend the book to give you a serious and straight forward path to follow rather than randomly searching.

Help! Brick walls
I am sure that this book will prove very useful in my genealogy research. It is easy to follow with good examples.