Book reviews of new Genealogy books, Heritage and Research, Rotorua Library
Manorial Records for family
historians: with examples of how to identify and
locate your ancestor’s property by Geoffrey Barber (929.341 BAR). This
fascinating little book gives an overview of the manorial system under which
many of our British forebears lived. As tenants of the manor there were rules
and customs expected of them, along with loyalty to the “Lord of the Manor”.
The author explains, with examples from his own family, how Manorial records
work and how they can be accessed. The advantage for genealogists is the wealth
of information held, from church records to lines of descent and inheritances,
along with a glimpse into a former way of life.
To trace or not to trace: a family
history overview for the curious by Carol Baxter (929.102 BAX). Particularly useful for those who are just
beginning their family history search, this guide is full of humour and
cartoons, along with charts and lots of information on how to get started. It
discusses information we may already have, such as photos and anecdotal
stories, along with discussions on sources family historians use to discover
records such as birth, death and marriage certificates, migration records,
census papers. 
It’s all relative: adventures up and down the world’s family tree by A. J. Jacobs (929.1 JAC) When
Jacobs was approached via email by
“an eighth cousin of your wife”, he began a journey delving into family
tree building. His experiences lead to the interconnectedness of all humans,
distant relatives and family reunions. Although not a how-to guide, it could be
called a why-to guide. Touching on DNA, websites other than Ancestry.com,
Jacobs also takes us on journeys meeting family and discovering connections in
a readable, enjoyable way.
Further new titles that may be of interest include:
It’s not all online: a guide to genealogy sources offline by Shauna Hicks (929.1072 HIC)
Discover the Poor Law in England and Wales by Paul Blake ( 929.1072 BLA)
MyHeritage…my story: explore the lives of your ancestors and discover your
family’s history by Rosemary Kopittke (929.1 KOP)
ScotlandsPeople: the place to launch your Scottish research by Rosemary Kopittke (929.3411 KOP)
Papers Past: New Zealand’s yesteryear newspapers by Coral Shearer (929.1072 SHE)
A beginner’s guide to British and Irish genealogy by Christ Paton (929.1072 PAT)
DNA for genealogists by Kerry Farmer
(929.1072 FAR)
Australians in peril: tracing your World War Two Australian military
ancestors by Neil C. Smith (929.1072 SMI)
The Genealogy do-over workbook: get your genealogy and family research
back on track and still have fun by Thomas
MacEntee (929.1072 MAC)
The Family Tree Cemetery Field guide: how to find, record,
& preserve your ancestors’ graves by Joy Neighbours (929.1072 NEI)
