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Genealogy: Essential Research Methods
Helen Osborn
(UK: Robert Hale, @RobertHaleBooks, 2012)

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, analyse 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.

UK: Bookshop Search (independents) | Amazon | Blackwells | Foyles | Hive | Waterstones | WHSmith
USA: NewPages (independents) | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Hummingbird (ebooks and audiobooks)
Canada: FindaBookstore.ca (independents) | Amazon | Indigo
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Ireland: Bookshop Search (independents) | Amazon | Eason
Australia: Bookshops.com.au (independents) | Amazon | Angus & Robertson | Booktopia | Dymocks | QBD Books
New Zealand: Find a Bookshop (independents) | Amazon | Dymocks
South Africa: Bookshops (independents) | Amazon | Exclusive Books
Rest of the world: Book Depository | Wordery

Recommended by:
Christopher Norris, Director, Jolabokaflod CIC

Christopher launched his campaign to promote the Icelandic Jólabókaflóðið tradition in November 2015. This initiative took form as Jolabokaflod CIC, a not-for-profit showcase for book recommendations wrapped in Icelandic literary culture, and Jolabokaflod Book Campaign Ltd, a yet to launch commercial arm. Keep up to date with news and developments by signing up to the monthly Jolabokaflod newsletter and/or the Jolabokaflod platforms at Facebook and Twitter.