Rasmussen, Geoffrey D. Digital Imaging Essentials: Techniques and Tips for Genealogists and Family Historians. Geoff Rasmussen. 2012. Index. Paper, $19.95. eBook, $14.95.
Many of you will recognize this author from his presentations at genealogy conferences and as the host of Legacy Family Tree's webinar series. I've enjoyed his enthusiastic and informative presentations on Legacy software as well as the webinars. He brings that same enthusiasm to his recent book which successfully demystifies working with digital cameras and images for genealogists.
In his book, he provides basic definitions and overviews of terminology, procedures and related to digital photography. The information is straightforward and easy to understand. I appreciated his focus on Adobe Elements 11 (the most current release of this popular software!) and Picasa.
This is a well-rounded introduction to digital photography for those of us who struggled with each advance in camera evolution--from Brownie to Polaroid to 35mm to digital. Digital Imaging Essentials won't be the only guide you need, but it's an excellent starting point if you're the slightest bit nervous about digital photography. Publishing the book in print and eBook formats is not only logical, it gives readers needed flexibility to access information when and where they need it.
About the formats. I downloaded the eBook and pre-ordered the paper edition from Legacy. After reading it on my pc, I uploaded a copy to my iPhone 3GS so I could refer to some of the information if (when) I splurge on a new digital camera. The whole process was very easy and the version on the iPhone is as readable as the one on my pc. The paper edition arrived a couple of weeks later and I found it has the same layout and illustrations as the eBook. Rasmussen also points out that the eBook will be updated as needed--a definite advantage.
This title appears to be for sale only at Legacy Family Tree in eBook (available to download right away) or paper editions. Special holiday pricing is also offered. If you plan to borrow the book from your local library, you may have a long wait--only a few public libraries list it in their catalogs. No library admits to owning the eBook edition--although I imagine this will change.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Review: History for Genealogists by Judy Jacobson
Jacobson, Judy. History for Genealogists: Using Chronological Time Lines to Find and Understand Your Ancestors. Clearfield Company. 2009. ISBN 978-0-8063-5439-2. $33.00.
Education and experience teach many genealogy researchers to develop historical and social contexts when developing profiles of their ancestors. Knowing what went on in their worlds during their lifetimes provides insights into how and why our ancestors made certain decisions. In this book, prolific author Jacobson promotes timelines as essential tools to help researchers develop those contexts.
The author touches on the how-to of creating timelines and discovering relevant sources, but the real stars of this book are the many, many timelines. You will find detailed timelines for many topics, including international migrations, wars, disasters, politics, and economics. Key events for countries and regions throughout the world, and, my favorite, each U. S. state, are listed. All of these can be valuable starting points for your research.
Despite the value of the timelines, more information about how to create a relevant timeline and apply it to your ancestor's life would have been very useful. Readers looking for history lessons will also be disappointed, although the extensive bibliography will provide some direction. And, why weren't there more examples of the many available free online resources, such as links for timelines in Cyndi's List which were available when the book was written?
This paperback book is an optional--and somewhat pricey--purchase for most genealogists and library collections. No eBook edition located. It is widely available for sale online at websites like genealogical.com and amazon.com (which is where I purchased the copy to review). Outside of libraries with strong genealogy collections, few public libraries in the U.S. own this title, so it's a good candidate for inter-library loan.
Education and experience teach many genealogy researchers to develop historical and social contexts when developing profiles of their ancestors. Knowing what went on in their worlds during their lifetimes provides insights into how and why our ancestors made certain decisions. In this book, prolific author Jacobson promotes timelines as essential tools to help researchers develop those contexts.
The author touches on the how-to of creating timelines and discovering relevant sources, but the real stars of this book are the many, many timelines. You will find detailed timelines for many topics, including international migrations, wars, disasters, politics, and economics. Key events for countries and regions throughout the world, and, my favorite, each U. S. state, are listed. All of these can be valuable starting points for your research.
Despite the value of the timelines, more information about how to create a relevant timeline and apply it to your ancestor's life would have been very useful. Readers looking for history lessons will also be disappointed, although the extensive bibliography will provide some direction. And, why weren't there more examples of the many available free online resources, such as links for timelines in Cyndi's List which were available when the book was written?
This paperback book is an optional--and somewhat pricey--purchase for most genealogists and library collections. No eBook edition located. It is widely available for sale online at websites like genealogical.com and amazon.com (which is where I purchased the copy to review). Outside of libraries with strong genealogy collections, few public libraries in the U.S. own this title, so it's a good candidate for inter-library loan.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Review: Brother Against Brother: the Lost Civil War Diary of Lt. Edmund Halsey
Chadwick, Bruce, ed. Brother Against Brother: the Lost Civil War Diary of Lt. Edmund Halsey. Carol Publishing Group. 1997. 308p.
One hundred fifty years ago, Edmund Halsey of Rockaway, New Jersey enlisted in the Union Army. His older brother, Joseph, of Virginia had already joined the Confederate Army. Both men served throughout the war and left many letters, articles and other documents that were saved by their families. On one level, this book is a simple collection of eyewitness narratives documenting the rigors of wartime and military life. What gives it value, however, is the way Chadwick juxtaposes excerpts from Edmund's diary and letters with those from Joseph and other Halseys. This combination creates a vibrant look into the turmoil, as well as the day-to-day concerns, that people throughout the North and South endured.
In the first part of the book, Chadwick provides descriptive background information covering the family's background, social standing, and contributions to Rockaway's--and by extension, New Jersey's--history and growth. Some genealogical information on the related Halsey and Jackson families is even included (but not footnoted). The prospect of uncovering genealogical tidbits about the Halseys is what enticed me to borrow this book from the library, but it was the useful background information on the Rockaway community that I found particularly valuable.
The balance of the book contains Edmund's diary, extracts from Joseph's papers, family letters, and helpful parenthetical explanations from Chadwick. The arrangement is chronological from August 30, 1862 through January 20, 1865. Many of the entries detail camp life, worries about family at home, and details about Edmund's and Joseph's military jobs. Letters from sisters and Joseph's wife, Millie, portray hardships at home.
This book is not a genealogy, but will give genealogists essential background information on the Civil War and Rockaway. The bibliography and author notes don't specify where the diary, family correspondence, and other source documents are located, but it appears the bulk of the materials are held by either the University of Virginia in the Morton-Halsey papers or the Rockaway Borough Free Public Library.
Includes photographs, selected bibliography, and an index which does not include every name mentioned in the book. No eBook edition located. New and used copies available at amazon.com, bn.com, and other retailers. And, of course, borrowing it from a library is always a wise option.
One hundred fifty years ago, Edmund Halsey of Rockaway, New Jersey enlisted in the Union Army. His older brother, Joseph, of Virginia had already joined the Confederate Army. Both men served throughout the war and left many letters, articles and other documents that were saved by their families. On one level, this book is a simple collection of eyewitness narratives documenting the rigors of wartime and military life. What gives it value, however, is the way Chadwick juxtaposes excerpts from Edmund's diary and letters with those from Joseph and other Halseys. This combination creates a vibrant look into the turmoil, as well as the day-to-day concerns, that people throughout the North and South endured.
In the first part of the book, Chadwick provides descriptive background information covering the family's background, social standing, and contributions to Rockaway's--and by extension, New Jersey's--history and growth. Some genealogical information on the related Halsey and Jackson families is even included (but not footnoted). The prospect of uncovering genealogical tidbits about the Halseys is what enticed me to borrow this book from the library, but it was the useful background information on the Rockaway community that I found particularly valuable.
The balance of the book contains Edmund's diary, extracts from Joseph's papers, family letters, and helpful parenthetical explanations from Chadwick. The arrangement is chronological from August 30, 1862 through January 20, 1865. Many of the entries detail camp life, worries about family at home, and details about Edmund's and Joseph's military jobs. Letters from sisters and Joseph's wife, Millie, portray hardships at home.
This book is not a genealogy, but will give genealogists essential background information on the Civil War and Rockaway. The bibliography and author notes don't specify where the diary, family correspondence, and other source documents are located, but it appears the bulk of the materials are held by either the University of Virginia in the Morton-Halsey papers or the Rockaway Borough Free Public Library.
Includes photographs, selected bibliography, and an index which does not include every name mentioned in the book. No eBook edition located. New and used copies available at amazon.com, bn.com, and other retailers. And, of course, borrowing it from a library is always a wise option.
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