It seems to me that most genealogists are also bibliophiles. I think you have to love books to want to sit in a library or online researching them for hours on end. My favorite genealogy books could go on for pages but the following are some ideas about books you may want to add to your collection.

One of the books that I refer to often is The Family Tree Guide Book from the editors of Family Tree Magazine. (ISBN: 1-55870-647-X). This book is divided into regions of the Untied States. Each regional chapter provides histories, maps, statistics, websites and repositories that can assist you in researching that area. One of the features that I particularly like is that each state has a “state stats” box that provides the year of statehood, when vital records began, the address for the states vital statistics office, what U.S. federal census are available and city directory years available at the Family History Library. Additional sections of this book include Canadian Research, African American Roots and Native American Roots.

On a recent trip to the library, I checked out Kathleen Hinckley’s Locating Lost Family Members and Friends: Modern genealogical research techniques for locating the people of your past and present. (ISBN: 1-55870-503-1). I think this is a great book for beginners who need an overview of what records provide what types of information. It’s also good for more advanced genealogists for it’s various websites and book recommendations.

One of my favorite genealogy texts is George Morgan’s, How to do Everything with Your Genealogy (ISBN: 007223170X). I think the title is a little misleading. When I first received this book, I thought it would be one of those that tells you about how to display your end result, how to create scrapbooks, charts, books etc. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is a great overall genealogical reference book on researching your ancestors. Packed with information, tips, websites and case studies, any genealogist could benefit from this book. Chapters in this book include; Place your ancestors into context and locate vital records; Use census schedules and records to locate your ancestors; further your research with advanced record types; Follow alternative record paths to locate difficult records and Plan a very successful genealogical research trip. A case study provides the reader with the benefit of reading exactly how the methods in the book were used to research an ancestor.

Most people who know me, know that one of my favorite aspects of family history is putting a family in a social history perspective. Because of this, one of my favorite books is Bringing you Family History to Life through Social History by Katherine Scott Sturdevant (ISBN: 1558705104). This book is a great resource for genealogists looking to make their family history narratives and research more interesting to the non-genealogists in the family. Sturdevant provides genealogists with ideas for resources for learning more about different time periods.

William Dollarhide’s New York State Census and Substitutes (ISBN: 1933194-18-9) is a wonderful reference for those researching ancestors in New York. New York research can seem so overwhelming. This book provides you with additional ideas for research resources beyond the usual standards, like the U.S. Federal Census, vital records, military and immigration records. Organized by county, you not only are provided with citations for census substitutes, like tax lists, histories and court records, but when applicable Dollarhide provides the Family History Library microfilm number.

As I peruse used book stores, book sales at genealogical conferences and new booksellers, I am always looking out for inexpensive books that will help me better understand an historical era, place or custom. Books ranging from state histories, to historical maps, to military uniform books help me to be better able to understand my ancestors. Although most of the books mentioned above are genealogy books, don’t forget to search for books from the history, women’s studies, military, reference and social studies sections of the bookstore.