Who's Your Daddy? A Guide To Genealogy From Start To Finish

Ideal gift for genealogists

Published in the Daily Oklahoman 14 December 2009
WE THE PEOPLE, by Sharon Burns, staff writer
http://newsok.com/this-book-ideal-gift-for-genealogists/article/3424408

A new book, "Who's Your Daddy? A Guide to Genealogy From Start to Finish," by local author, historian and genealogist Carolyn Leonard, makes a great gift for the avid researcher and beginning family historian.
Leonard encourages readers to have fun with their hobby while learning research methods, exploring basic rules of genealogical evidence and evaluating source materials. A short true story is included in each chapter, followed by how to record and share the information.
Research begins with yourself, working backward to your parents and grandparents. Suggested places to search for information at home include the family Bible, scrapbooks, newspapers, family heirlooms, legal papers, old photos and journals.
The two basic charts used for recording data are the ancestor chart and family group sheet. These charts plus other charts for recording information are available for free download from www.WhosYourDaddyBook.com. Click on "free stuff" in the upper right-hand corner of the page and scroll down the selection of charts. Click on the link to download and print the chart.
Next, the author recommends writing a "memoir" about yourself before interviewing relatives so you will know what to "ask, listen for and record" when conducting the interview. The chapter includes suggestions for writing your own history.
The book also provides basic, easy-to-read information about census records, old handwriting, dating old photographs, recording sources and getting organized. Once these sources have been explored, continue by posting queries in genealogical publications where ancestors lived and researching online.
Cyndi's List of Genealogical Sites on the Internet, www.cyndislist.com, provides an alphabetical index and links to genealogical research Web sites. Rootsweb.com is one site that hosts mailing lists for posting queries. Leonard encourages researchers to visit courthouses, libraries and cemeteries in areas where ancestors lived to obtain copies of their land, marriage, court, church and cemetery records.
The 238-page paperback book is available for $17.95 plus postage and can be ordered online from www.awocbooks.com, amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com; or ordered by telephone from (940) 395-2836. For an autographed copy, e-mail the author at carolynleonard@me.com.