The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy

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The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy. By Val D. Greenwood. Published by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.; 3600 Clipper Mill Road; Suite 229; Baltimore, MD 21211;  http://www.genealogical.com/; 2017. ISBN 978-0-8063-2066-3. Paperback, $59.95.


“Read Greenwood from cover to cover—several times or until you feel you have well learned its content” - Elizabeth Shown Mills

 Elizabeth Shown Mills' advice is for genealogists making the transition from genealogy as a hobby to genealogy as a profession.  However, I believe it is good advice for all genealogists – beginning as well as seasoned professionals.  

 The Researcher’s Guide is both a textbook and a reference manual. The topics range from planning research to detailed explanations of various records; how to find them and how to use them.  It was first published in 1973, and Greenwood has updated and kept it current over the ensuing forty years.  At first glance, its 738 pages seem daunting, but it is very readable.  I read a chapter every week and I am almost through it the first time.  The thought of starting again at the beginning does not bother me at all. I only wish I had begun reading it ten years ago when I began studying my family.  

 The chapters on Land Records and Court Records are examples of textbook content. They can be referred to again and again as you work to become proficient using these records. 

 Chapter 13, Vital Records, is an example of how helpful The Researcher’s Guide can be as a reference manual. It contains a chart showing the location of vital records for each state. Recently, I was searching for vital records in Maine, where I am not familiar with records, and I used the chart to ensure that I had completed a thorough search.  

 The chapter on Census Records contains sample census forms from 1790 through 1940, as well as samples of the special schedules.  They are much easier to read than the examples on the internet because you can turn the book to read all of the content at the top of each column.  

 Do as I say, not as I did.  Do not try to save money by purchasing an older edition of The Researcher’s Guide. The availability of information changes at light speed in the digital age. I ended up tossing the old book in the recycle bin and investing in the latest edition. I would not be surprised to see a new edition soon.  

 Best Wishes,




Barbara Mattoon
President, SKCGS


1 McGhie, Angela, Adventures in Genealogy Education, Transitional-Genealogists-Forum/2007-12-11 : accessed 6 June 2012.


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