Books for Genealogy Lovers

As much as I love genealogy, it is not my only passion. I absolutely love reading. I read everything I can get my hands on. My husband often tells me that if toilet paper had writing, that I would read that, too. That is why today we are going to be talking about books for genealogy lovers.

Best Books About Genealogy

Most people think of educational books when they think of books about genealogy. Genealogy books don’t only have to be about learning. There are plenty of entertaining fiction novels that center around a genealogy plot. Here are the top educational and entertaining genealogy books I have found.

Non-Fiction

The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy

Struggling with understanding those DNA testing results? Want to understand how it all works? This is the book for you. The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy by Blaine T. Bettinger explains not only what test are available, but what the differences are between different testing companies. It also covers what you can do with all of those estimates and results once you receive them.

Unofficial Guide to Ancestry.com: How to Find Your Family History on the #1 Genealogy Website

When you pay for a subscription to a website, you want to make sure you get the most bang for your buck. With time saving tips, database explanations, and step by step guides, the Unofficial Guide to Ancestry.com by Nancy Hendrickson will help you to learn just what Ancestry.com can do for you.

Genealogy Standards Second Edition

The Genealogy Standards Second Edition by the Board for Certification of Genealogists takes some of the guess work out of what good genealogy practices are. This guide lays out a standard for us to model our practices to and help insure we are doing our best research.

Fiction

Before We Were Yours: A Novel

Based on the events surrounding the stealing and selling of poor children in Tennessee by Georgia Tann, Before We Were Yours: A Novel by Lisa Wingate is a genealogy page turner that shows what we think we know about our family history isn’t always the case. Clear your plans because you won’t want to put this one down.

Hiding the Past (The Forensic Genealogist)

This genealogical crime mystery series dives into the life of a forensic genealogist hired to research a man with no past leading him down a road of murder, mystery, and people hiding in the past. Hiding the Past by Nathan Dylan Goodwin will surly keep you on the edge of your seat.

Journals

While searching for the best genealogy books to share with you, I came across this prompted journal. This is such an amazing idea and will make a perfect gift for all of the Moms in your life.

Mom’s Journal: What I Want You to Know About Me and My Life

Jennifer Basye Sander did an excellent job when she made this journal. With prompted questions, there is no stressing over what to write, you just answer the questions and tell your story.

Genealogy Books Online Free

Books aren’t limited to libraries and bookstores. There are online options for borrowing books. One option is the Archives.org American Libraries Collection searchable database. With the American Libraries Collection, you have the ability to view certain books online in whole or borrow others that are available. Borrowing books does require a sign up, however the good news is that it’s free.

Another option, though not exactly free is Amazon.com’s Kindle Unlimited subscription. Amazon has a large library of ebooks that you can borrow with the subscription that includes several genealogy books.

Genealogy at Your Local Library

Each library system is different depending on your location. My local library offers a way to check out eBooks online just like you would check out books in the library. I can check them out, download them to my reading device, and at the end of 14 days, they magically go back to the library. I get to read great books and don’t have to worry about remembering to return them. Check with your local library to see if they offer a similar service and get busy reading.