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Master Essential Genealogy Skills for Consistent Progress
Make the Most of Your Genealogy Time!
Are you a passionate hobbyist genealogist struggling to make consistent progress on your family tree?
If you’ve been frustrated by repeating research, unsure where to find new records, or tempted to take shortcuts that lead to dead ends, you're not alone.
This book is designed for you.
In Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist, you’ll discover a proven research process tailored specifically for modern genealogists who don't have hours to dedicate to family history every week. Whether you're interrupted by daily life or feel stuck with limited resources, this book will guide you through making steady, reliable progress—even with limited time. You'll learn how to streamline your research, leverage technology wisely, and avoid the pitfalls of rushed genealogy.
Master Essential Genealogy Skills for Consistent Progress
Make the Most of Your Genealogy Time!
Are you a passionate hobbyist genealogist struggling to make consistent progress on your family tree?
If you’ve been frustrated by repeating research, unsure where to find new records, or tempted to take shortcuts that lead to dead ends, you're not alone.
This book is designed for you.
In Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist, you’ll discover a proven research process tailored specifically for modern genealogists who don't have hours to dedicate to family history every week. Whether you're interrupted by daily life or feel stuck with limited resources, this book will guide you through making steady, reliable progress—even with limited time. You'll learn how to streamline your research, leverage technology wisely, and avoid the pitfalls of rushed genealogy.
By the time you finish, you’ll feel confident and excited to continue your journey. You’ll know exactly how to identify new sources, avoid costly mistakes, and see your family tree grow, one well-researched branch at a time.
Meet the Author: A Genealogy Expert Who Understands Your Journey
With over 20 years as a professional genealogist and decades of personal research experience, I’ve walked in your shoes. Since beginning my genealogy journey in 1989, I’ve navigated every stage—from a brand-new hobbyist unsure where to start to a professional researcher working under ideal conditions. I know what it feels like to hit roadblocks, repeat the same research, and run short on time, but I’ve also learned what it takes to overcome those challenges.
Hi! I'm Jennifer
As the creator of the blog The Occasional Genealogist (since 2016), I’ve dedicated years to helping time-strapped hobbyist genealogists make the most of their limited research hours. My experience comes from attending top genealogy conferences and institutes to tackling real-world research cases. Most importantly, I understand the frustrations and joys of genealogy, and I’ve developed a system that combines professional-level skills with practical shortcuts designed for those who don't have endless time to devote to research.
In Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist, I bring you practical, hands-on advice to improve your genealogy skills while weaving in the engaging story of two hobbyist genealogists. This unique approach helps you see how to apply the essential skills in your own journey, ensuring steady progress without getting overwhelmed.
Meet the Author: A Genealogy Expert Who Understands Your Journey
Hi! I'm Jennifer
With over 20 years as a professional genealogist and decades of personal research experience, I’ve walked in your shoes. Since beginning my genealogy journey in 1989, I’ve navigated every stage—from a brand-new hobbyist unsure where to start to a professional researcher working under ideal conditions. I know what it feels like to hit roadblocks, repeat the same research, and run short on time, but I’ve also learned what it takes to overcome those challenges.
As the creator of the blog The Occasional Genealogist (since 2016), I’ve dedicated years to helping time-strapped hobbyist genealogists make the most of their limited research hours. My experience comes from attending top genealogy conferences and institutes to tackling real-world research cases. Most importantly, I understand the frustrations and joys of genealogy, and I’ve developed a system that combines professional-level skills with practical shortcuts designed for those who don't have endless time to devote to research.
In Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist, I bring you practical, hands-on advice to improve your genealogy skills while weaving in the engaging story of two hobbyist genealogists. This unique approach helps you see how to apply the essential skills in your own journey, ensuring steady progress without getting overwhelmed.
What You'll Learn in Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist
Whether you're new to genealogy or have been building your family tree for years, Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist equips you with practical, time-saving strategies to make real progress, even with limited research time. This book is structured in three key sections designed to guide you from essential beginner skills to advanced techniques—making it a must-read for hobbyist genealogists.
Section 1: Essentials to Get You Started
Start building your genealogy skills with this foundational section designed for all genealogists, regardless of experience level. You’ll learn the basics of:
The W-frame System for defining genealogy problems and knowing when to focus or step back.
Tracking Your Research, covering the essential information every genealogist needs to log.
Note-taking Techniques, providing a straightforward method to track and plan research without getting overwhelmed.
The Genealogy Roll-up, a shortcut to combine research planning, note-taking, and tracking into a single task—perfect for genealogists with limited time.
By the end of this section, even beginner genealogists will be equipped with the skills to make significant progress and will be ready to dive deeper into advanced techniques.
Section 2: Essentials for Great (Not Just Good) Genealogy
This section takes you beyond the basics, focusing on skills that will transform your research:
Genealogical Analysis: Learn how you’re already analyzing your research and how to improve this essential skill.
Research Planning: Create simple, effective plans using the W-frame System, and dive into advanced techniques for supercharging your research.
Writing Research Reports: Understand the difference between professional reporting and hobbyist reports, with guidance on how to document your findings for future reference.
Mastering these beyond-beginner skills will help you break through research roadblocks and achieve better results, even when your time is limited.
Section 3: A Few More Essential Skills
This flexible section can be read at any time and covers additional skills that are vital for any genealogist:
Finding New Sources: Identify “low-hanging fruit” sources you can use immediately, and discover new ways to locate additional records.
Task-Based Research: Understand the difference between genealogy “problems” and “tasks,” so you can apply the right skills to the right type of work without frustration.
By the end of the book, you'll be equipped to:
Plan and track research efficiently.
Take great notes that support future research.
Create summaries and reports to track your progress.
Differentiate between problem-solving research and simple tasks to streamline your workflow.
Get a Sneak Peek Inside the Book
Curious about what you’ll learn in Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist? Request the sample chapters to get a taste of the practical, hands-on advice and easy-to-follow methods that will help you take your genealogy research to the next level. You'll also be subscribed to our newsletter to get more tips for time-strapped family historians. Unsubscribe at any time.
Why Genealogists Love Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist
"How I wish I'd had this book when I first started digging into my family's stories, maybe I would not have created so many "glitches" that now need to be cleaned up in order to proceed!"
Constance
reader in the U.S.
"I really love this book. It tells an interesting story, especially about how to do Great Genealogy, despite the lack of time in our daily life. Step by step. From essentials to get started, to solutions. "
Johanna
reader in the Netherlands
"As a person who has done my tree for many years I understand that sometimes it is important to know what you need to do, otherwise you end up down a rabbit hole. I recommend this book..."
Maree
reader in Australia
Ready for Beyond-beginner Skills?
Choose the format that fits your needs and start building your family tree with confidence!
Paperback or eBook — Your Choice
Unlock Bonus Resources to Supercharge Your Genealogy Research
When you purchase Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist, you’ll gain access to exclusive bonus content designed to enhance your research process and help you stay organized.
What’s Included:
Research Tracking & Note-Taking Template
Start capturing all the essential information from your research, beyond just citations and notes. This customizable template helps you log your research efficiently and provides a foundation to create your own Genealogy Roll-up system, integrating planning, tracking, and note-taking into one streamlined process.
Source Citation & Evaluation Cheat Sheet
A handy, printable PDF that makes evaluating and citing your sources easier than ever. This cheat sheet will help you ensure your genealogy research is both thorough and reliable.
How to Access Your Bonuses:
Once you purchase, inside the book, you’ll find a link to request your bonus content. Whether you choose the paperback or eBook, these resources are designed to help you get started and maintain consistent progress on your family tree.
Ready for Beyond-beginner Skills?
Choose the format that fits your needs and start building your family tree with confidence!
Paperback or eBook — Your Choice
STILL NOT SURE?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this book suitable for beginners?
This book is best for genealogists who have already started their research and want to improve their skills. If you’ve spent some time working on your family tree—whether it’s been a few months or several years—and are ready to take your research to the next level, Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist is a great fit for you. It helps you organize, track, and streamline your process, especially if you feel stuck or want to make better use of your research time.
If you’re completely new to genealogy, this book might not be the best place to start, as it assumes some basic familiarity with research techniques and genealogy terms.
I’m an experienced genealogist. Will I learn anything new?
Yes! This book is not just for beginners. Even seasoned genealogists will find valuable strategies and shortcuts to improve their research process. The beyond-beginner skills in the second section cover advanced topics like genealogical analysis, research planning, and reporting—all with practical advice that will help you fine-tune your approach, especially if you’re working under time constraints.
Is this book helpful if I’m researching outside the U.S.?
Yes! While many of the examples in the book come from U.S.-based research (since that is my experience), the skills and strategies taught are universal and can be applied to research in any location. The core concepts—such as organizing your research, evaluating sources, and planning next steps—are relevant for genealogists no matter where your ancestors lived. Whether you’re researching in Europe, Canada, or any other region, this book will help you streamline and improve your process.
Does the book help me find specific sources for my research?
Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist teaches you how to identify new sources and find records no matter what you’re researching. Instead of listing specific records, it focuses on giving you the tools and techniques to discover new sources on your own. This approach means that regardless of the location or type of research you're doing, you'll have the skills to keep finding relevant records as you advance in your genealogy journey.
How much time do I need to apply the skills from this book?
The book is designed for time-strapped genealogists, so you can make meaningful progress even if you only have short research sessions. The Genealogy Roll-up method, for example, is a time-saving system that integrates planning, tracking, and note-taking, allowing you to make the most of your available time without sacrificing research quality.
Are there digital resources included with the book?
Yes! When you purchase Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist, you’ll receive access to bonus materials, including a Research Tracking & Note-Taking Template and a Source Citation & Evaluation Cheat Sheet. These tools are designed to enhance your research process and can be adapted to fit your personal research style.
Can I get the book in both paperback and eBook formats?
Yes! The book is available in both paperback and eBook formats. You can purchase the paperback from major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or get the eBook directly from us at a special discounted price. Click any button on this page to see a list of international retailers to select your local favorite.