NOTE: Central Library will close at 5 pm Thursday, October 18, for the Kalamazoo: An Evening with Notables program. Normal hours resume Friday.

How-To Books

The following six titles will provide an excellent foundation for beginning genealogical research. There are, of course, many more specialized titles. Consult the Catalog for additional titles in KPL's collection. "Genealogy," with all its subdivisions, and "[location]-Genealogy" are both useful headings to start. The bibliographies in The Source and Printed Sources will suggest other useful books.

Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth MillsEvidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace
Mills, Elizabeth
Call Number: H 907 M6573
1997
Provides a reliable standard for both the correct form of source citation and the sound analysis of evidence.
Unpuzzling Your Past: The Best-Selling Basic Guide to Genealogy by Emily CroomUnpuzzling Your Past: The Best-Selling Basic Guide to Genealogy
Croom, Emily
Call Number: H 929.1 C948.1
2001
This guide focuses on fundamental strategies for researching one's ancestry, questions to ask, places for research, and interesting examples.
The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy, Third Edition by Val GreenwoodThe Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy, Third Edition
Greenwood, Val
Call Number: H 929.373 G816 2000
2000
Covers the fundamentals of genealogical research and discusses in detail the use of public records, church and military records.
Printed Sources: A Guide to Published Genealogical Records by Kory MeyerinkPrinted Sources: A Guide to Published Genealogical Records
Meyerink, Kory
Call Number: H 929.3016 P957
1998
A detailed discussion of genealogical materials in published form, covering background information, finding aids, printed original records, and compiled records.
Ancestry's Guide to Research: Case Studies in American Genealogy by John CernyAncestry's Guide to Research: Case Studies in American Genealogy
Cerny, John
Call Number: H 929.373 C415
1985
An excellent generation-by-generation study of the techniques of conducting a search.
The Source : A Guidebook of American Genealogy by Loretto SzucsThe Source : A Guidebook of American Genealogy
Szucs, Loretto
Call Number: H 929.373 S998
2006
An excellent advanced text, which focuses on the use of original records. A good source of bibliographies and addresses of American repositories.