Do Not Disturb: Fun Ways to Learn Genealogy While Solving Mysteries

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How have you learned to do genealogy? Some of us began with basic classes that introduced us to census records, land records, military records and other basic resources. Some of us did wide open internet searches and got lucky on our first or second attempt; others had piles of material handed to them by older relatives.

No matter how we started, if we have stayed with our quest, we have refined our methodology in order to get to more accurate or obscure information. If you have subscribed to SKCGS.groups.io you may have seen messages between people who are in the current study group working on the book, Research Like a Pro. I admire the work these people are putting in on their projects, knowing they are developing strong research habits.

Another Way To Learn

But I don't have the time or inclination to put out that sort of effort. I have found another source for learning methodology--genealogical crime mysteries! Give me the books written by Nathan Dylan Goodwin, Steve Robinson or M K Jones! Their protagonists of Morton Farrier, Jefferson Tayte and Maze Investigations, respectively, employ sound genealogical research practices; a lesson in research in every novel.





And each of these authors have written series of books in which their protagonist progresses as technology advances. Morton Farrier has learned to use the internet resources and now DNA to solve mysteries. And he is an entertaining character with a worldwide following.




There are numerous other series and individual books now available; Genealogical Crime Mysteries are a popular genre of modern books. Search your public library or Amazon for Susan Finley, John Ahrens, Stephen Molyneux or Sylvia Nash.



The Chelsea Creek Murders is the start of a new series from Nathan Dylan Goodwin, a British author who has introduced us to Venator, a company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, that uses genetic genealogy to solve cold cases. Those of us who devoured the work of Madison Scott-Barnhart and her small team of forensic genealogists have been waiting for the sequel.





And the wait is over! The Sawtooth Slayer will be released on Friday, October 28 and can be pre-ordered on Amazon for your Kindle reader. Personally, I'm going to spend this week re-reading the Chelsea Creek Murders to refresh my understanding of their research methods. Please observe my Do Not Disturb sign if I happen to hang it out.




I hope others will find these books as entertaining and instructive as I have.  



MaryLynn Strickland



Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 25, 2022 at 11:56 AM

    When reading a Genealogy Crime Mystery, it's okay to draw a family tree chart. Just refrain from looking up the fictional characters on Ancestry!

    ReplyDelete

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