These books are excellent whether you want to take genealogy classes at Salt Lake Community College or not! They range in prices, so it’s good to start saving for them (NOTE: SLCC may have changed their textbook requirements since I took their courses).
- The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Genealogy, the Internet, and Your Genealogy Computer Program by Karen Clifford, A.G. [updated version 2011]: This is a nice easy guide for beginners. The book set up is non-threatening, and filled with exercises, pictures, and definitions. The information in this book is still current as it was updated in 2011.
I bought mine new on Amazon.com. New price ranges (about) $33-$68. Used price starts (about) $17 on up.
- Becoming an Accredited Genealogist: Plus 100 Tips to Ensure Your Success by Karen Clifford, AG [revised Edition with Index]: This is also a nice easy guide, but aimed for individuals wanting to pass the accreditation process at ICAPGen. Like Clifford’s other book (mentioned above), the setup is non-threatening, and filled with exercises, pictures, and definitions. Since it was published in 1998 some of the information is outdated. For new accreditation requirements, please visit ICAPGen.org. With that stated, this book is still current on the skill sets, methodologies, and tips it presents.
I bought mine on Amazon.com. New price ranges (about) $13-$35 (hardcover or paperback). Used ranges (about) $2 on up (hardcover or paperback).
- Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace (Third Edition) by Elizabeth Shown Mills: Althoug_h not required for the genealogy program at SLCC, this can be a helpful tool. It explains the breakdown of citations and has cheat-sheets. This book makes it easier for individuals to create their own citation styles too. RootsMagic has many templates that were based off this book, but this program doesn’t explain the reasons behind their citation formulas. Mill’s book is the best out there if you want to understand citations (and not just create them using copy and paste).
This book is available in print and electronic form at Amazon.com. Kindle format price $32.95. Print new and used price starts at (about) $42.
(NOTE: the electronic version I bought was through the Adobe Digital Editions format, not Kindle. I was not happy with it. It didn’t have an electronic index, and I couldn’t print the book to have a physical copy of it. However, I could do keyword searches through the whole book which was nice. The Kindle version may be different, but overall I like my print copy much better).