On the recent Unlock The Past history and genealogy roadshow, I gave a presentation on Where Else Can I Look, It’s Not All On The Internet which looked at a range of ideas. The handout for that talk, and the others I gave, is on the Resources page of my website (just scroll down).

This post is an extension of that talk in that I am looking at publications by individuals, an idea I didn’t include in the presentation. Over the last few months I have been given copies of books to review and usually they get published in whatever magazine and only readers of those magazines are aware of the books. This time I have created a Book Reviews section on my Resources page and will also post them there.

There are currently two book reviews and both were great reads and on totally different subject areas. Neither was directly related to my own family history research, but both added context and background not to mention ideas to further my own research. They were:

• Lois Sabine, editor, Dr William Bell’s “The Settlers’ Guide” or Modern Domestic Medicine and Surgery Windsor NSW 1849 – review Dec 2010

• Kay F Gassan and Judith A Grimes, Tall Ships on the River: Flying Cloud Queensland Voyages 1862-1870 – review Dec 2010

I will let the reviews speak for themselves. There are lots of publications that while not of direct interest to us, may still be worthwhile looking through for ideas or background information on what our ancestors lives were really like.

As we come into the holiday season, and we all supposedly have more time to simply sit back and read, find yourself a new genealogy related publication, (library visit, Christmas present or whatever) and enjoy the experience. I’ve certainly enjoyed reading the two publications above and managed to add more items to my ever growing ‘to do’ research list!

Don’t forget to share your experiences – post a comment and tell us what your book choice was.

Happy reading and happy holidays!