Learning the Lingo -- Genealogy Speak

I'm always sad when I hear about someone who started out so passionately on their family tree research, but got  beat down by all the technicalities AND overwhelmed with all the paper that they generated.  Genealogy, family tree research, family history -- whatever you want to call -- it has a learning curve.  And like any other profession or hobby, it also has its own lingo.  The problem is that so much of the stuff we need to read is boring, dry, yawning, mind numbing.  So-- if you are a new genealogist and you want to learn about the who, whats, whys, whens and hows -- let me recommend my favorite genealogy book:  The Essential Guide to Unpuzzling Your Past by Emily Croom.  Probably not the most technical book out there, but it's actually a fun read.

You'll see as you get deeper and deeper into your family history research that there are more and more things that you need AND want to know, but you can't spend every waking minute researching.  Sometimes you just want to be entertained, so how about a book that is entertaining AND educational AND amazing.  This book is an absolute must read for anyone who has a female in their family tree.  There were parts of this book that made me furious.  And sad.  And breathtakingly proud of America's women.  This isn't about the famous dames in America's history, but about the average, every day gal.  Do yourself a favor and check it out of the library first.  I bet you'll buy your own copy.  Check out:  America's Women:  400 Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates and Heroines by Gail Collins.