Tracing Your Family History with the Whole Family by Dr Robin McConnell
Description: Genealogy research is often thought of as an “adult” project. This book takes an “innovative” approach that the whole family can participate in research. And not just the adults–but children as well. Multiple creative and practical examples are given throughout.
Review:
The author has a dream. One where all members of the family participate in the research of their family history. In the first chapter, Dr. McConnell gives five key reasons for “young researchers in your family“. Throughout the book the term “family leaders” is utilized and a section is titled “The Family Team and Family Leadership”. Considerable explanation is given to his whole concept. A sentence makes this clear — “Your leadership will make or break the family’s research venture.”
However, Dr. McConnell did not mean, I think, that “the family” is your immediate family but anyone that is part of the family with the same direct ancestor. But I did not feel this was made clear. The “family leader” is the “lead” researcher. But, to me, there is a “hole” in this concept. It assumes that every “family/team” member is willing to research in the area where the leader wants to focus.
PERSONAL NOTE:
I have been researching since 1998. I have “interested” family — you know, the ones that say, “Tell me when you find something interesting.” But do any research? No way. I have others who would do the research but not provide the documented source. My children and grandchildren who might help with a specific request but not on-going research. My husband had no interest in researching his family. I know keen researchers that have the same direct ancestors but are we researching similar things about that specific lineage? Would we be willing to? The idea is wonderful, but I see problems in execution.
Presuming you, the reader, will be the family leader, the book gives specific things to determine and many research sites. Keep in mind that this book is published in Great Britain so many of the examples are in that part of the world. BUT — genealogy research is genealogy research. Appendix 1 is a list of the major family history websites and includes the free sites. The information provided is quite useful.
Once the author went into what to consider in research, where, how, the book becomes more helpful from my point of view. A list of 102 questions for interviews is excellent. The approach is it would be a child’s interview with a grandparent. But it could be used to capture your own history although a specific list for that purpose is given later. Another “questions” list follows that a researcher could write to aunts and uncles — for me it would be cousins.
There is much in this new concept book that is helpful for a family genealogy researcher. I can see the potential of the author’s idea of the whole family participating. But I believe most “family leaders” of genealogy research would face the same difficulties that I would in pulling it off. Rating: 3.5 stars rounded to four-stars.
I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of Tracing Your Family History with the Whole Family via NetGalley from the publisher, Pen & Sword, Pen & Sword Family History. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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