Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purposes of review and I have received other books from Genealogical Publishing Company, also for review. However, my opinions are my own and not influenced by outside sources.

Before beginning this review, there is one thing that needs to be explained if you are not a regular FamilySearch user. Not only is FamilySearch free to use – just register for an account to view records – but FamilySearch partners with many of the big genealogy subscription websites.

Practically speaking, this means users can save a lot of money! For example, if you are currently subscribing to a website to access non-United States records, it is possible that those records have already been digitized by FamilySearch and SHARED by FamilySearch with a partner organization.

For example, I have one Danish branch in my family tree. My 2X great grandfather emigrated to the U.S. in the 1880s and I have found baptismal and marriage records for the family in Denmark on FamilySearch FOR FREE. This collection is the same that is found on the subscription-only world access collection on another website.

The bottom line is to be sure to use FamilySearch FIRST before signing up for an expensive subscription. You may well find exactly the records for which you are looking!

Now to the review:

Dana Palmer, CG, CGL has written an extensive 225-page guide to all things FamilySearch. Here is an abbreviated Table of Contents, as the actual table has many subheadings under each chapter:

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction

Chapter 1: Overview
Chapter 2: Finding the Records
Chapter 3: Searching Tricks
Chapter 4: Full-Text Search
Chapter 5: Using the Research Wiki
Chapter 6: The Tree
Chapter 7: Books
Chapter 8: Memories
Chapter 9: Other Tools
Chapter 10: Summary

Index

I am a frequent, almost daily, user of FamilySearch, so I was most interested to read this book. As a seasoned user, I was also wondering how many new tips and tricks I might learn.

I was quite surprised to find in a book of this length that there are almost no long paragraphs of text. Instead, there are short explanations accompanied by numerous color images, which are very easy to read, and with helpful arrows, pointing out the “how to” for getting the most out of each section of the FamilySearch website.

I mentioned that the Table of Contents, above, was a much abbreviated version of the list in the book. Because the author has created such a detailed Table, users don’t have to thumb through the entire book seeking answers to their questions.

For example, FamilySearch’s full-text search is a game-changer for genealogists. Checking the Table of Contents, I immediately found reference to it not only on page 64, but also discovered that all of Chapter 4 is dedicated to a thorough demonstration of all that full-text search can do.

While checking out Chapter 4, I discovered one very valuable, big time-saving tip about how to figure out in which record collection full-text search found the image I want to save and cite. It’s really easy – much simpler than my process of going to the catalog to locate the actual collection and then page through a couple of volumes when the full-text image shows it came from, for example, Connecticut Probate Records, 1695-1875. [Note: That is just an example I made up, but similar to actual titles that I’ve come across.] How to cite the actual source is a one-step wonder – but I’m not going to divulge the answer. You’ll have to read the book yourself!

Even though I am familiar with all the various parts and pieces of the FamilySearch website, I learned a couple of other new bits of information, too. No, I’m not going to share those either. The point is that even I, as a well-experienced user of FamilySearch, learned new techniques from this book.

The book’s Preface states that it is intended for new genealogists just starting down the research trail and are using FamilySearch. However, intermediate level researchers/FamilySearch users will benefit from the Ultimate Guide. ‘Fess up – Do you take full advantage of all the search options or are you in a rut, using the same couple of steps for all your searches??? Also, for those who used FamilySearch in the past, but haven’t much recently, you’ll find that many changes have been implemented during the past year. This book will catch you up with efficient new search techniques.

Dana Palmer has written a fabulous Ultimate Guide to Mastering FamilySearch. It’s extremely well-organized – I glanced at the index, but found everything I was seeking in the Table of Contents – and easy to use with color images that can actually be read. I’d recommend this book to anyone who uses or wants to learn how to be navigate the FamilySearch website, maximizing chances of success.

One closing remark – To be honest, I was a bit taken aback at the $59.95 price tag for the paperback version of the book. However, given how the price of everything has gone up in the last couple of years plus the 225 pages of mostly illustrations, all in color, the price is perhaps to be expected.

Also, since it’s the holiday season, I’d recommend putting on your gift wish list and perhaps your wish will be granted!

The Ultimate Guide to Mastering FamilySearch by Dana Palmer, CG, CGL can be ordered from Genealogical Publishing Company. It is available as a Bookshelf eBook for $29.95. [NOTE: Be sure to read the conditions for Bookshelf eBooks before purchasing!] It can also be purchased as a paperback for $59.95.