The Genealogist’s Bookshelf: The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy

17 September 2008 by Libbi.

The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy by Val D. Greenwood

The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy by Val D. Greenwood is a treasure trove of genealogy sources, techniques and methods.  Greenwood himself describes it this way:

“… when I was teaching genealogical research at Ricks College in Idaho. At that time, there was no good text on American research, so I wrote one. The book, THE RESEARCHER’S GUIDE TO AMERICAN GENEALOGY, was published in 1973 by Genealogical Publishing Co. Since that time there have been two more editions, the third edition being published in 2000. It is still the most widely used textbook on American genealogical research and is considered by many to be a classic. It has sold more than 100,000 copies through the three editions. (Can you imagine how much space 100,000 books would take up if you stacked them all in one place? Neither can I.) ”

My Mother’s 1973 copy sits on my desk. The text is underlined, highlighted, notated and marked, reminding me of how often she used it. The most recent edition has good chapters on evidence, personal computers, and family historians.  As it is a textbook, it is accessible to the most beginning of genealogists. Add this to your list of “must have” genealogy references.

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