- Paperback: 240 pages
- Publisher: Family Tree Books (Jan 2 2005)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1558706852
- ISBN-13: 978-1558706859
- Product Dimensions: 27.4 x 21.3 x 2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 590 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #313,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
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
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Book Description
Proven Methods for Scaling the Inevitable Brick Wall
Complications arising from incomplete or missing records, census irregularities, individuals of the same name, and burned courthouses can stop even the most experienced genealogists dead in the tracks. Learn to break through those brick walls with The Family Tree Problem Solver, which dissects researcher's common problems in case studies with straightforward solutions. You will:
- Go straight to the answers you need without wading through theory or irrelevant record overviews
- Find explanations and case studies that will help you overcome your obstacles and move forward in your genealogy
- Learn what NOT to do to avoid hitting brick walls in the future.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.3 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)
118 of 120 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A first-rate textbook . . ., Mar 27 2005
By Michael K. Smith - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Family Tree Problem Solver (Paperback)
We all have "brick walls" -- those situations in which the courthouse records have disappeared, or no census record can be found, or there are four people with the same common name in the same neighborhood at the same time, not to mention people whom we come to suspect must have landed by flying saucer. After failing to find an obvious solution, the inclination often is to throw up one's hands and shift attention to an easier branch of the family. Marsha Rising, however, a well-respected author and long-time speaker in the field of genealogical methodology and case-making, wants us to embrace the brick wall as a challenge to our skills in research and evidence analysis. Her sessions at national conferences are always very popular, and with good reason, so you might think there's good reason to pay attention to anything she thinks is worth saying on the subject -- and you would be right.She presents here a research model that will focus your work, from reminding us of the distinction between "search" and "research," and identifying the problem blocking the way (which actually may not be what you assume it is), to reevaluating the data you already have (you may simply not have recognized the answer), to identifying the specific evidence you need to solve your problem. And she illustrates each step with cogent case studies. Then she delves into the most common types of brick wall and the best ways to deal with them: The lack of vital records in the period before mandatory civil registration, the best use of the census (especially before 1850), the need to analyze collateral family members and community networks (what's called "cluster genealogy"), finding a replacement for the infamous "burned courthouse," and separating individuals of the same name. She wraps up with a discussion of ten mistakes to avoid and a restatement of the components of careful analysis of the evidence. Rising's style throughout is professional yet accessible (though, personally, I could do without this publisher's cutesy marginal icons . . .), and I would not hesitate to recommend this excellent book as a classroom text in the advanced course at Samford.
64 of 66 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Valuable strategies for novice and experienced researchers alike, Mar 18 2006
By E. Folta "eafinct" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Family Tree Problem Solver (Paperback)
I disagree with both the author's and the other reviewer's comments that this book is only for the more advanced genealogical researcher. The valuable strategies here should be reviewed by every beginner genealogist, to prevent us from wasting time barking up the wrong trees, and proceeding to previous generations before we've fully exhausted the resources of documents regarding later ones. An invaluable book by an experienced researcher.
59 of 62 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspired me to keep trying, Mar 16 2005
By Carlisle - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Family Tree Problem Solver (Paperback)
A friend ordered this from Amazon and was so impressed that she gave her copy to me and ordered another one. I haven't even finished reading it, but it inspired me to broaden my search for the origins of my g-g-grandfather who has been a mystery to me for decades. The author gives pertinent examples of work she has done on origins which at first seemed impenetrable. I am making good progress now, although the direction I'm heading in has become a bit disturbing and I may just have to join the Black Sheep Genealogical Society...
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