Tuesday, November 28, 2023

ChatGPT 3.5 Offers Genealogy Book Recommendations

 Today I asked ChatGPT 3.5 about genealogy books:

The response was:

User:  What family history books are best to learn genealogy research

ChatGPT:

There are many excellent books available to help individuals learn and improve their genealogy research skills. Here are some highly recommended ones:

1.  "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy" by Christine Rose and Kay Germain Ingalls: This book is a great starting point for beginners, providing a comprehensive introduction to genealogy research.

2.  "Ancestry's Red Book: American State, County & Town Sources" edited by Alice Eichholz: This book is a valuable resource for understanding genealogical records in the United States. It provides information on state, county, and town sources, making it easier to locate relevant records.

3.  "Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace" by Elizabeth Shown Mills: Proper citation of sources is crucial in genealogy. This book is an excellent guide for understanding and correctly citing various types of historical sources.

4.  "The Genealogist's Companion & Sourcebook" by Emily Croom: This book covers a wide range of topics, including research methods, organization, and effective use of genealogical software.

5.  "Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians" edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills: While geared towards professional genealogists, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone serious about their genealogy research. It covers advanced research methods and techniques.

6.  "Mastering Genealogical Documentation" by Thomas W. Jones: This book is a guide to understanding and improving documentation practices in genealogy research. It's especially helpful for those who want to enhance the quality of their research.

7.  "The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy" by Val D. Greenwood: This is a comprehensive guide that covers various aspects of genealogical research in the United States.

8.  "Unpuzzling Your Past" by Emily Anne Croom: This book provides practical advice for researching family history, including strategies for overcoming common obstacles.

Remember that the best book for you will depend on your specific needs and the regions you're researching. It's also beneficial to explore online resources and attend genealogy conferences and workshops to stay updated on the latest research methods and tools.

I also asked about Genetic Genealogy Books:

User:  What genetic genealogy books do you recommend?

ChatGPT:

Genetic genealogy is a fascinating field that combines traditional genealogical research with DNA testing to uncover family connections. If you're interested in genetic genealogy, here are some recommended books to help you understand the principles and practices:

1.  "The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy" by Blaine T. Bettinger: This comprehensive guide covers the basics of DNA testing and how to use the results in your genealogical research. It's suitable for beginners and those with some experience in genetic genealogy.

2.  "Genetic Genealogy in Practice" by Blaine T. Bettinger and Debbie Parker Wayne: This practical guide takes a hands-on approach to genetic genealogy. It provides exercises and case studies to help you apply DNA testing to your research.

3.  "The DNA Guide for Adoptees: How to Use Genealogy and Genetics to Uncover Your Roots" by Brianne Kirkpatrick and Shannon Combs-Bennett: Focused on adoptees and those with unknown parentage, this book guides readers through the process of using DNA testing and genealogy to uncover their biological roots.

4.  "DNA and Social Networking: A Guide to Genealogy in the Twenty-First Century" by Debbie Kennett: This book explores the intersection of DNA testing and social networking platforms. It provides insights into how to use online tools and communities to enhance your genetic genealogy research.

5.  "Advanced Genetic Genealogy: Techniques and Case Studies" edited by Debbie Parker Wayne: Geared toward more advanced researchers, this book delves into complex topics in genetic genealogy, including advanced DNA testing, analysis, and interpretation.

6.  "The Adoptee's Guide to DNA Testing: How to Use Genetic Genealogy to Discover Your Long-Lost Family" by Tamar Weinberg: Specifically tailored for adoptees, this guide provides step-by-step instructions on using DNA testing to find birth families.

7.  "Genetic Genealogy: The Basics and Beyond" by Emily D. Aulicino: Covering the fundamentals and going beyond the basics, this book provides insights into using DNA testing as part of your genealogical toolkit.

8.  "I Have the Results of My Genetic Genealogy Test, Now What?" by Blaine T. Bettinger: This book helps readers interpret and understand their DNA test results and guides them on the next steps in their genealogical research.

Remember to check for the most recent editions of these books, as the field of genetic genealogy is rapidly evolving, and updates may have been made to reflect the latest information and technologies.

My judgment is that these are pretty good lists of books to consider.  I can think of at least one book to add to the genealogy book list - the Thomas Jones book "Mastering Genealogical Proof" and Drew Smith's  "Generation by Generation."  On the genetic genealogy list, I would add Roberta Estes book "DNA for Native-American Genealogy."

What other books would you recommend for all levels of family history and genetic genealogy research?

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