General Chat

As a beginner to genealogy I would like to include a book on the subject in my Xmas list which my family want from me this weekend. Preferrably one that can be bought in a high street bookshop as opposed to having to send off for it. Thanks.

Aileen You are asking which to buy? Although I havent a clue, I thought at least answering your request this thread will be nudged to the top in case someone can help. Good Luck Pat x

Hi Pat, Yes, I love reading so the family always buy me some for Xmas.

http://www .whsmith .co .uk no spaces type in search box genealogy and see results, maybe you can phone nearest store for stock. Elaine x

Thanks Elaine, I'll have a look a bit later. Going into town early tomorrow and we have a large WHSmith, Waterstones & Surrey Bookshop. I'll have a browse and see what takes my fancy. Aileen

Hi Aileen, I've recently bought a 'bundle' of three genealogy books from my bookclub, and I'd recommend any of them. The BBC book 'Who do you think you are?' to go with the series - lots of useful info and tips, more than just following the celebs (by Dan Waddell) The Genealogist's Internet by Peter Christian Collins' Tracing Your Family History' by Anthony Adolph (the one who answers questions on this site). Hope this helps. Mandy :)

Ancestral trails by Mark Herber I bought this (not cheap tho, about £20/£25) last year and its a really good reference book.It is recommended in a lot of the FH magazines. It has now been updated to include using the internet for research as well as the traditional methods and was re-issued earlier this year. It will probably be cheaper to buy from Amazon than the high street and if you spend more than £19 with them then delivery is free Hope this helps cheers H

Tks Mandy and Helen, Most appreciated. Aileen

Lots of books go out of date very quickly. I should know: I have to review them. One that continues to have useful, interesting information is The Dictionary of Genealogy. by Terrick Fitzhugh. ISBN: 0-7136-4859-7 / 0713648597. I've no idea how much it costs these days, but it will look like a present. The best books with the most reliable information tend to be slim pamphlets on individual topics. Ancestral Trails is a big bulky book. It looks impressive and is very good for insomnia. Countryside Books have various titles that tend to appear in chain bookshops, but the information in them tends to have been going the rounds for rather a long time. If you wanted to look for titles for birthday presents, look at the Genfair website. There are masses of books there. Brenda

I have loads of books, a bit of a bookworm. Definately the Anthony Adolph one. Lots of sections nothing too long winded. Just got the Ancestral Trails one myself so can't comment on that. One called Local and Family History by David Hey too is quite good. There is also a yearly publication I get called the Family and Local History Handbook. That has lots of articles in it and also all the addresses you are likely to need. Only about a tenner that one.