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Jan 16
Love0

Early reviews for the 2nd edition of Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes

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We have received several reviews of the revised edition of Shannon Combs-Bennett’s Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes. The reviews are from NetGalley, a service that connects publishers and reviewers, including librarians, teachers, and bloggers. Here’s what people are saying:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

“Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes delivers on its premise – it’s an excellent practical overview of techniques and sources for tracing one’s family tree. While primarily aimed at beginners or those who’ve only made sporadic exploration into their family history, Shannon Combs-Bennett provides a robust foundation upon which to launch more intensive investigations.

Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes explores topics including how to start a family history exploration, maintaining organised records and the growth industry of genetic genealogy.

Despite being only a slight volume at 102 pages, the book contains comprehensive contents and index and links to online resources.

Shannon Combs-Bennett is highly qualified in her field, and this volume is a great starting point for those who have an interest in researching their family history, or who wish to improve or update their skills. Highly recommended.”

– Sarah Hood (Reviewer)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

“I have been working on my ancestry chart for several years, but found some ideas and tips that will help me! For someone just beginning Shannon Combs-Bennett provides help in how to organize and back up your finds. I wish I had read this years ago!

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley for my voluntary, honest review.”

– Dee Stevens, NetGalley

Jan 05
Love0

Second edition of Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes available now!

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Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes, Second Edition is available now! We just received our first copy of Shannon’s award-winning book and are so excited to make it available to a new generation of readers. A few areas were updated for 2021, including the sections about genetic genealogy, online communities, and technology – the pace of change in the genealogy world is so rapid that it really made sense to have an update for 2021.

You can purchase the paperback or PDF editions from EasyGenie.org, or download the Kindle, Apple Books, and B&N ebook editions using the links on this page. 

Apr 21
Love2

An award for Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes

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shannon combs-bennett genealogy basics ben franklin silver April 2017 640x427Earlier this month I flew to Portland, Oregon to attend the Independent Book Publishers Association’s annual conference, Publishing University. I have attended in the past, but this time was special: In 30 Minutes guides was picking up an award for Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes, by author Shannon Combs-Bennett!

IBPA’s Benjamin Franklin awards are well-known in the independent publishing community. Submissions are judged by multiple people according to very specific criteria, and the competition is fierce: This year, there were 1,300 submissions across several dozen categories. Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes was one of only three titles to make it to the final round in its category (crafts & hobbies) and we were very happy to be awarded a silver Benjamin Franklin award (congratulations to the gold winner in our category, Bricks, Cobblestones and Pebbles: A Path to Modern Quilts by author Gyleen X. Fitzgerald, as well as the other finalist, Building Block Dress: A Sewing Pattern Alteration Guide by author Liesl Gibson).

Shannon and a friend joined me at the awards ceremony–it was actually the first time I had ever met her in person–and we really had a great time talking about genealogy, history, and some favorite historical dramas.

Congratulations to Shannon for all of her hard work in preparing a draft, rewriting the draft, providing materials, and answering questions from me and the copy editor. The guide has been a great help to many readers (including one as far away as Australia!) and it made me proud to see her accepting the Ben Franklin award.

Sep 08
Love1

Early reviews of Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes

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Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes was published this week, and already reviews are starting to roll in! Here’s what people are saying:

“… As a professional genealogist myself, I’ll admit I am not a member of the target audience for this book; however, I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be a very helpful perspective nevertheless. Although avid genealogists are often approached by those who are interested in getting started with their own research, it can be difficult to remember what it felt like to be at square one! Thankfully, Genealogy Basics in 30 Minutes allows even the experienced genealogist to mentally return to that point when record sets were unfamiliar and source citations were a new concept, in order to be able to be helpful and encouraging to the beginning genealogist – without being overwhelming. And, if you are a budding genealogist yourself, Genealogy Basics in 30 Minutes will be sure to set you up for success with its down-to-earth approach.”

– Melanie Frick, Amazon

“… This basic genealogy book is a fast, informative read that will get you on your way if you are ready to begin your genealogy journey or are looking for tips to jump start or push past a problem area. …”

– Cheri Hudson Passet, Carolina Girl Genealogy

“… I totally agree that you have to get your basics down first, or you don’t have a foundation on which to build your tree. I got so into researching family that lived hundreds of years ago, and then one day realized I didn’t even know all of my living cousins’ names. Not only is the process presented in a way that all will understand, there are links to very helpful websites and even etiquette about approaching family and family members who are not known to you. So important. I recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of researching genealogy and those who have been at it for a while. There are so many good reminders, chart options, and probably a few new tips that you haven’t even heard about. …”

– Pamela Robinson, Night Owl Reviews

“… The biggest thing was it was written in a way it felt like the author was speaking directly to me, rather than other books I have read on this subject that felt like I was in an auditorium and I was one of a hundred. The personal one-on-one feel and the obvious hard work and dedication it took to boil down a lot of research into such a small book and still make it readable are the two reasons I give this book such a high rating. Recommended.”

– Corkasaurus, Amazon

Disclosure: All of the reviewers listed above received an advance review copy prior to publication. In addition, the first two reviewers knew or knew of author Shannon Combs-Bennett prior to reading the book — all three are experienced genealogists.