The Gen on Genealogy

This gives a real flavour of family history, according to Jenny Thomas

This popular title, now in its 11th edition, is brimming with articles on a broad range of subjects. From British Arctic Whaling in the 19th Century and The History of the Army Ballooning to advice on choosing a professional researcher, there is something here for everyone. It remains a book to whet your appetite rather than a comprehensive guide to resources, but both amateur and professional will find among its case studies and topical histories plenty of material both interesting and relevant to their research.

Perhaps even more valuable than the sound factual content is the superb flavour of the world of genealogy and local history that the volume imparts. The reader is left with the impression of a thriving genealogical and local history community: that contributors and researchers alike are an interesting, friendly, knowledgeable bunch, willing to help in any way they can. For this, we can forgive the tone, which is informal - even a little patronising at times.

Other features are a mixed blessing. An apparrent, and sometimes justifiable, suspicion of online resources does not always distinguish between websites with digitised original records and those that contain second-hand information. But while a conscious effort is made to appeal to those wary of computer technology, the book does contain a strong online section. And although the persistant advertisements may be irritating and better relegated to a section of their own, they contain lots of useful information and carry their own seperate index.

The Family and Local History Handbook

by Robert and Elizabeth Blatchford

Available from:
S&N Genealogy Supplies
www.genealogysupplies.com
01722 716121