Book Review: How to Do Everything- Genealogy

How to Do Everything: Genealogy, Fourth Edition

If I were to be stuck on a deserted island and allowed only one genealogy book, I would choose How to Do Everything: Genealogy, Fourth Edition by George G. Morgan. The book, published by McGraw-Hill Education, is over 500 pages of nuts and bolts genealogy aimed at the beginning to intermediate genealogist.

This genealogy offering from the "How to Do" series is authored by George G. Morgan, who is known for his The Genealogy Guys Podcast. His podcast has been in existence for more than 10 years and claims to be the longest-running, regularly produced genealogy podcast in the world.

There are dozens of books to choose from which are geared to the beginner who needs a foundation level of competence in the basics of genealogy. What separates this book from the dozens of books of its type is the clear methodical evidence based approach the author takes.

George Morgan is a genealogy expert and it shows in the pages of his book. There is none of the usual fluff and filler, it is packed with up-to-date tips, advice and website resources.

The first part of the book is dedicated to the basics of retrieving records and analyzing evidence. The second part is about expanding your search to more exotic records and resources with the last section covering advanced strategies and electronic tools.

I also like it that the book is in its fourth edition and has been fully updated to cover the latest advances, tools and resources used in genealogy today. Older books can be a waste of time when they concentrate on outdated technology. Being in its fourth edition tells me that the book was popular enough for its publisher to update it multiple times.

Let’s face it, there are a ton of genealogy books available today, but very few that meet the standard that George Morgan has set forth with this book. I would recommend this book to anyone just starting out or looking to build their skills. The book is so expansive, there is something for every skill level; even the most seasoned of genealogist is sure to pick up at least a trick or two.

If you are interested in purchasing this book, click on the link below:

How to Do Everything: Genealogy, Fourth Edition

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