A Student's Guide to Scandinavian American Genealogy [Hardcover]

Grade 7 Up?Picking up where Lila Perl's The Great Ancestor Hunt (Clarion, 1989) leaves off, these books provide the actual details of researching ancestors from specific nationalities. Each one follows a similar format of introducing the country, ethnic group, and emigration to America. The organization of the books differs after these initial chapters, with each focusing on different ways to chronicle a family history. The authors are realistic about the research, cautioning readers about reluctant interviewees and the expense that might be incurred. The tone, however, remains enthusiastic in both. Both books also touch upon adoption and how one can search for birth parents. Extensive, annotated lists of resources appear at the end of each chapter, and include Internet sites, computer programs, and addresses and phone numbers of related government agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Full-color and black-and-white photos lend an attractive touch. These books should be the first stop for students interested in tracing their roots for a school or family project, or for personal knowledge about their heritage.?Carol Fazioli, Cardinal Hayes Library, Manhattan College, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

?The authors are realistic about the research, cautioning readers about reluctant interviewees and the expense that might be incurred. The tone, however, remains enthusiastic in both....Extensive, annotated lists of resources appear at the end of each chapter, and include Internet Sites, computer programs, and addresses and phone numbers of related government agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Full-color and black-and-white photos lend an attractive touch. These books should be the first stop for students interested in tracing their roots for a school or family project, or for personal knowledge about their heritage.?-School Library Journal

This major contribution to young adult genealogy studies helps create ethnic pride, self-esteem, and awareness of the extraordinary accomplishments each ethnic group has brought to the American experience. Designed for use in grades 6-12, this important new series explores the creation of the American people while promoting the use and understanding of solid research techniques. Oryx American Family Tree Series enhances the social studies curriculum--especially the thematic strands in the New Curriculum Standards for Social Studies-- * culture, time, continuity, and change * people, places and environment * individual development and identity * individuals, groups, and institutions * power, authority, and governance * global connections While using the volumes in this series, young adults experience a uniquely personalized opportunity to practice the historians craft as they learn how to collect data, obtain and evaluate documents and sources, use the latest electronic tools for researching, and conduct and record eyewitness accounts of historical events in family life. The volumes carefully describe the challenges unique to researching each ethnic group or region. Also explained are the "why" and "how" of tracing their roots if users are adopted or come from nontraditional families. Also, each book in the series provides basic historical and cultural background information. As young adults explore their cultural heritage, they gain self-esteem, personal identity, and ethnic pride. Each volume in the Oryx American Family Tree Series is packed with hundreds of annotated bibliographic references for print, electronic, and media sources, as well as many helpful organizations. Every book is lavishly illustrated with 4-color and black and white photographs throughout and features a glossary and an index. The series is published in sturdy 6" x 9" casebound volumes of approximately 200 pages printed on acid-free paper.

Lisa Olson Paddock is a lawyer and a free-lance writer. She has published books and essays on literature and the law.

Carl Sokolnicki Rollyson is a professor of English at Baruch College, The City University of New York. He has published six biographies and several articles on Poland and Eastern Europe.