GENEALOGY AND HISTORY
Course Readings/Texts/Program/Videos Text (required/purchase) Matthew Helm and April Helm, Genealogy Online
for Dummies.
Despite its un-academic title, this book is a fine introduction to the study of genealogy. It has the added advantages of being easily available on the used book market and relatively inexpensive, even in the most recent edition. (In deciding which version to purchase, you should find out if a new one comes with a demonstration copy of Family Tree Maker, thus getting two required items for the price of one.) Genealogical Program (required/purchase)
Family Tree Maker
For over a decade, this has been the most popular genealogical software with individuals wishing to "grow" their family tree, though it is now facing increasing competition. The current version is Family Tree Maker® 2009, though earlier versions are also available for sale on the web, in most cases at a lesser cost.. If you already possess or a different
genealogical software program wish to purchase one, you may substitute it for Family Tree
Maker. (Note: Such a substitution will be a necessity for
MacIntosh users, since Family Tree Maker does not manufacture a version
supported by that platform.)
Most of the available genealogical software programs accomplish essentially the
same functions. Whatever you choose to buy, you will need some software in order to
compose certain documents such as pedigree charts that will be
acceptable in this class. (Remember, all assignments must be
typewritten; NO handwritten material will be acceptable. (This is
true even if your handwriting is fine enough to qualify you as a copyist
in a medieval scriptorium!!)
.
Web Texts (required/free online) Rootsweb.com/RootsWeb's Guide To Tracing Family
Trees URL: http://www.rootsweb.com/
This simple, but excellent on-line introduction to
genealogical research is provided by Ancestry.com, one of the leading commercial
genealogical sites. Access is free. If you wish to print out
a hard copy of any part of it, you may want to select the "printer friendly"
version to save your printer cartridge; otherwise, it will have to print
out the cute, but unnecessary graphics. I find the guide easiest to
use by clicking on the Numerical Index to Guides. In addition
to the guide, you will want to check out the other RootsWeb links, many of
which are (at least in part) free.
Genealogy.com Learning Center How-to URL: http://www.genealogy.com/genehelp.html Genealogical Videos (shown in class)
Family Tree, A&E Television Networks,
2001.
Ancestors 2: Discovering Your Heritage,
Brigham Young University, BYU Broadcasting, 2005.
African American Lives, Louis Gates. How to Trace your Native American Heritage, Rich-Heape Films, Circle of Life Series," 2000. How to Create Your Own
Family History Video, Video 7 Production Co., Inc., 2006.
|