James M. Beidler
Author of The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide: How to Trace Your Germanic Ancestry in Europe
About the Author
Image credit: James M. Beidler
Series
Works by James M. Beidler
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Beidler, James Michael
- Birthdate
- 1960-06-24
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- United States of America
- Birthplace
- Reading, Pennsylvania, USA
- Education
- Hofstra University
- Occupations
- genealogist
tax preparer
copy editor - Organizations
- Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society
International Society of Family History Writers and Editors
Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
The Patriot-News - Short biography
- Jim writes the award-winning weekly newspaper column “Roots & Branches”—the only syndicated genealogy feature in Pennsylvania—and edits Der Kurier, the quarterly journal of the Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society. Jim is a frequent contributor to periodicals ranging from The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine to Family Tree Magazine. His speaking credits include all the nation’s largest genealogical conferences, as well as the Pennsylvania Humanities Council’s acclaimed Commonwealth Speakers program (2002–2009). Jim also teaches online courses and webinars for Family Tree University.
Members
Reviews
The Family Tree Historical Newspapers Guide: How to… by James M. Beidler
I loved this book. As a mediocre genealogist, I am always looking for ways to improve upon my searches. Beidler's book is a big help! It is full of resources and methods to search old newspapers, and I am now armed to further my investigations. Plus, it has handy worksheets to use to help. Maybe now I can fill in some of the "missing links" in my tree, and flesh out some of the lives of my ancestors.
Books on how to research family history are sometimes too information-intense, frequently dry, often describe outdated research methods, and always are appealing to readers interested in genealogy. I liked the writing style of The Family Tree Historical Newspapers Guide - clear, concise, interesting and accurate.
The sections are sensibly organized, and the methods suggested seem valid although the websites listed may or may not be around in the future (which is beyond the author's control). Helpful worksheets are included, and I liked that microfilm and digitized records were referenced.
After reading the book, I feel more confident in navigating the uncertain area of genealogy, and think it is definitely a useful guide for the beginning family history researcher..
*eARC Netgalley*… (more)
The sections are sensibly organized, and the methods suggested seem valid although the websites listed may or may not be around in the future (which is beyond the author's control). Helpful worksheets are included, and I liked that microfilm and digitized records were referenced.
After reading the book, I feel more confident in navigating the uncertain area of genealogy, and think it is definitely a useful guide for the beginning family history researcher..
*eARC Netgalley*… (more)
Well-known genealogist James M. Beidler discusses newspapers as a genealogical source. He covers most types of newspapers. Religious newspapers were omitted from separate treatment although a few titles showed up in a geographic sample in the book. He does an excellent job relating available databases, even acknowledging ethical questions about business practices of some. Beidler, best known for his German genealogical research, includes international newspapers, not limiting the discussion to the United States. The book's greatest flaw lies in the format of the otherwise excellent bibliography. It does not employ a recognized style manual such as Evidence Explained or Chicago Manual of Style. Since one chapter included information on citing newspapers following the recognized genealogical citation manual Evidence Explained, this surprised me. Beidler's work will become the most-cited "how to" guide on newspaper research in the genealogical community in the near future. All genealogy libraries with methodology collections should purchase a copy. I received an electronic advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.… (more)
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 17
- Members
- 743
- Popularity
- #34,185
- Rating
- 4.4
- Reviews
- 4
- ISBNs
- 9