Awards

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

Earlier 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.