The Family History Researcher’s Guidebook
I have written another book that may interest many readers – especially genealogy and family history researchers looking for a helpful guide. That book, The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, was first published in 1973 by Genealogical Publishing Co. in Baltimore, MD, and is now (as of November 2017) in its 4th edition. It was the first general purpose text and reference book on American genealogical research ever published. The book met with instant success and has been considered by many to be a classic. After nearly 45 years and four editions, it is still the textbook of choice for those who teach American genealogical research. Through three editions it has sold well over 110,000 copies.
This new 4th edition has been completely updated, incorporating all the latest developments, principles, and resources relevant to American family history research. Of special note are two new chapters about technology as it relates to family history research—one dealing with significant concepts and definitions and the other with resources and applications, including major family history websites and Internet resources. In addition, virtually every chapter provides information on Internet websites pertinent to the subject of that chapter.
However, despite the fact that the steps involving family history research are greatly facilitated and enhanced by modern technology, it is still essential to search all available records in the locality of your interest for all persons of your surname(s) of interest, and to carefully analyze and evaluate all the information you find to determine if the evidence relates to your specific objectives. Good instructional guidance is critical to the success of your family history research. And that is where The Researcher’s Guide… is unsurpassed. It is both a family history textbook and an all-purpose reference book, designed to help the present generation of researchers better understand the methods and principles of family history research and learn how to utilize all available resources. After all, we owe it to our ancestors to get it right.
Following are a few comments that have been written about The Researcher’s Guide… :
“Definitive textbook; detailed examination of records in specific areas and times. Unlike some other manuals, it is indispensable and should become the most important manual for American researchers.” —American & British Genealogy & Heraldry
“There is no other textbook on American records to match this volume. Every genealogist should have a copy. If a beginning genealogist were to ask me to recommend just one book for purchase, this is the book I would recommend.” —Shirley Langdon Wilcox, Certified Genealogist
“There is no question among genealogists that this guide is the standard by which all other genealogical books are judged. It is the text of choice in colleges and universities or wherever courses in American genealogy are taught.” —Mississippi Genealogical Connections
“Val Greenwood’s guide is recognized as one of the leading publications on the subject of genealogy. . . This volume has been and continues to be a classic, one of the few that every genealogist should own and read. It is both a reference guide and a textbook.” —New England Historical and Genealogical Register
“It is good to have a new edition of this work [speaking here of the 3rd edition]. Greenwood manages to make research in American genealogy understandable.” —American Reference Books Annual
In a news release entitled “Genealogical Publishing Company Partners with FamilyLinks.com,” which was posted on SbWire on March 3, 2008, it states the following (quoting Barry Chodak, president of GPC): “Our collection of guide books and how to books numbers more than 250, including the most widely used text, Val Greenwood’s Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy.”
Of all of their books that Mr. Chodak could have mentioned, he mentioned this one–the book that built his company.
In a news story by Damon Veach, published August 24, 2008, on <//www.2theadvocate.com> concerning a newly released book on Scottish research, is the following observation about The Researcher’s Guide…:
“Under the direction of Barry Chodak, Jules’s son, and managing editor Michael Tepper, GPC emerged as the leading publisher of genealogical reference books and research manuals. The 1973 publication of Val Greenwood’s Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy set the standard for commercial book publishing in genealogy. Revised and updated through three editions, this work continues to be the reference book that U.S. genealogists reach for when they need assistance.”
If you are involved with research for your ancestors in the United States, I believe this book will give you some significant help. You can read more about it and buy it from Genealogical Publishing Company –vdg
