I Hate Genealogy: A Very Personal Introduction for Beginners and Nonbelievers

What kind of person becomes a genealogist? Do you think they’re self-important people who feel superior because of their long-dead ancestors? Are they wizened bores nattering about their great uncle who arrived on the Mayflower? You’d be surprised! Looking into your family history can be one of your most exciting and soul-satisfying experiences. We are who we are because of the people who came before us, all those men and women who are part of our DNA. This is a book for beginners who want to know why family history matters. It is full of family stories and surprising discoveries. For the first time we can piece together the records of our ancestors’ lives online without spending thousands of dollars or traveling to remote courthouses. What fledgling genealogists really need is inspiration. Most of us will never become genealogists but with a few basic skills and a lot of encouragement, we can discover several generations of our family story and feel confident that we haven’t accidentally adopted someone else’s relatives.