Pages to the Past

1. Long Distance Genealogy by Christine Crawford-Oppenheimer (Betterway Books). Few of us live where our ancestors lived, and that’s where the records are. Many genealogy books tell you what records you need, but not how to access them from where you live. This book gives dozens of sample letters and shows you how to get the records you need without leaving home.

2. Genealogy Basics Online by Cherri Melton Flinn (Muska & Lipman Publishing). In this easy-to-read guide, Cherri Melton Flinn shows you how to find the best Web sites to discover your family history, how to use Web directories and search engines, and how to meet and exchange information with other researchers online.

3. The Weekend Genealogist by Marcia Melnyk (Betterway Books). Do you only have a limited amount of time to devote to genealogy? Marcia Melnyk shows you how to accomplish more in your family history search in less time. She offers useful time-management tips and suggestions, whether you have 10 minutes or the whole weekend to spend on your hobby.

4. Getting Started in Jewish Genealogy by Gary Mokotoff and Warren Blatt (Avotaynu). This primer introduces readers to techniques and resources available for Jewish genealogical research. Written by two leaders in the field of Jewish genealogy, this book offers information on locating ancestral towns, Holocaust research and how to cope with name changes.

5. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Online Genealogy by Rhonda McClure (MacMillan). Rhonda McClure’s easy-to-follow guide takes you into the world of online sources and databases to streamline your research on the Internet. She also gives advice on genealogy software, chat rooms, bulletin boards and more.

6. How to Create a Video Biography by Ira Heffler and Jerry Schneider (Life Story Video, 800-543-3786). Heffler and Schneider are co-founders of Life Story Video, and they’ve made hundreds of video biographies. In this book, they offer proven methods for capturing your family history on videotape.

7. Through the Eyes of Your Ancestors by Maureen Taylor (Houghton Mifflin). Looking for ways to get the younger generation interested in family history? In this book, kids will learn how to become a “personal detective” and uncover interesting stories and information about their ancestors.

8. The Family Reunion Sourcebook by Edith Wagner (Lowell House). Written by the editor in chief of Reunions Magazine, The Family Reunion Sourcebook offers guidelines for every stage of your get-together, including ideal locations, meal planning and group activities.

9. The Story of a Lifetime: A Keepsake of Personal Memories by Pamela and Stephen Pavuk (TriAngel Publishers). Want to write your memoir, but need some help getting started? Or want to prod a loved one into getting her story on paper? The Story of a Lifetime provides questions to help get those stories down with room enough to record the answers.