The Practical Genealogist (Another View)

Genealogy with a slant...the author began genealogical research in 1951 while in graduate school at Columbia University. A recent review of several months concerning the present state of the field of genealogy has prompted the book. That things would be very different now is obvious and expected. That the changes would be so far-reaching was unexpected. The appearance of computers, the internet, and other technologies has greatly accelerated the changes. A major thesis of these pages is that the resultant changes have not all been good ones. "The Practical Genealogist" attempts to review, reiterate, and reinforce the sound, basic rules of genealogical research. It's a result of a survey of the myriad of new resources and tools currently available. Technology means speed! New software and hardware are getting faster and faster but genealogy doesn't lend itself to a "rush-rush" approach. Although touted by the hi-tech companies, speed isn't necessarily a good thing. If left in its proper place as a tool in genealogical research, and not as its most important element, technology can give the work a real boost. Technological advances improve the implementation of the basics but can't replace them. Increased speed in the handling of data results in a more rapid and widespread disbursement of bad data as well as the good. It can distort and blur the results. In genealogy there are efficiencies but no shortcuts. This book should show the route to quality genealogies. Its overriding theme: "Fundamentals remain at the core".