This book is the ideal companion for anybody researching their family tree. It provides advice and inspiration on methods and problem-solving and helps the amateur family historian understand what successful professionals do to get results, and why we should copy them. Over ten chapters, it examines the various themes that affect the success or failure of all genealogy research. This begins with an overview of common challenges genealogists encounter and continues with an examination of how to both search effectively and find the right documentary sources. Using examples from her own family history as well as client work, teacher and professional genealogist Helen Osborn demonstrates how to get the most from documents, analyze problems and build research plans. These subjects lead on to recording results, how to ensure relationships are correctly proved, organizing information and presenting your findings. Although the book deals mainly with research in England and Wales, the skills taught are easily transferable to research in other countries. This book will be particularly valuable to anyone who is stuck with their research, in addition to those who are keen to learn about advanced skills and methods used by genealogists.

With his newest book Justin Taft, Jr. continues to build on his previous success. As I Saw It was well received by the Rochester community as a colorful and engaging look at Rochester during the 1930s Depression. Whereas his first book included humorous recollections of town characters, community leaders, escaped convicts, gypsies and chicken thieves The Tafts of Rochester, Illinois focuses on the Taft family itself. Through this book Justin Taft continues to share his insight on life in the early days of Rochester. Unlike his previous work, this newest effort is professionally researched within its historical context. The westward migration and acquisition of land by Vermont to Rochester families is explored. Previously unidentified relationships between migrating Vermont families are documented. Each of the Rochester Tafts is traced through vital records, census listings, land transactions, family letters and bibles. The author annotates the book with early Rochester photographs and Taft family heirlooms, never forgetting to spin his signature folktales, adding depth to our understanding of the lives of his ancestors and many other early pioneers of Rochester. The Tafts, and their associated families, were some of the earliest settlers in Rochester. They were active in the political and social structure of the fledgling community. Their impact on Rochester's development is a must read for anyone interested in the history of Sangamon County.

ARRIVING IN AMERICA - DESTINATION THE SOUTH captures Taylor's twenty-five year journey in unearthing the buried history of her maternal and paternal family, trekking the paths of her ancestors, before Emancipation (1863). This journey took her back several generations, from the North, South, East and West regions of Africa, to the thirteen colonies of the United States, and the Southern states of Louisiana and Mississippi. This emotion-filled journey travels down an intricate paper trail of federal, state, and local records combined with a collection of oral interviews that enabled Taylor to methodically place together her family puzzle, in five informative chapters. Lovers of sweeping generational epics will find much to rejoice in here. This is a personal saga, but one played out against the broad canvas of American History. Taylor chronicles the lives of her relatives who were once enslaved. She points out the contributions of European immigrants, with the labor of slaves that made this such a great nation. Taylor discusses intermarriages and intermixing between blacks and Indians, the mulatto children of the master, and how her enslaved family may have obtained their surnames. This book focuses on many unanswered questions, and leave the reader with a burning desire to begin their own journey. ARRIVING IN AMERICA - DESTINATION THE SOUTH is written in a narrative style to inspire, entice and propel readers into the fascinating world of genealogy and historical discoveries.