Presents ideas and tips for overcoming common obstacles researching genealogies, including advice on how to find records before civil registration, using censuses, and advanced court records.

Includes index.

Introduction -- Analyzing research problems and planning strategies -- Avoiding ten common genealogy mistakes -- Finding birth, marriages, and deaths before civil registration -- Locating missing ancestors in the census -- Researching friends, associates, and extended family members -- Problem-solving with court records -- Replacing burned courthouse records -- Utilizing land records -- Sorting individuals with the same name -- Finding pre-1850 ancestors -- Analyzing evidence -- Accepting online family tree hints -- Applying DNA test results to your research.