| You may only know Google as search engine: type in | | | | tips: |
| a search word or a phrase, click, and get a long list | | | | 1. Use "Advanced Book Search" to find books you |
| of result links to explore. It may be hard to keep up | | | | can read on line (it's the blue link next to the Search |
| with all the acquisitions and projects at Google, | | | | Books button) |
| however if you are interested in genealogy your | | | | 2. Select the "Full View Only" bubble to see books |
| must look at Google Books. | | | | where there full content is available online. Most of |
| Twenty years ago when I first started tracing my | | | | the books available for full view are older books in |
| family tree the history books that were helpful to | | | | the public domain, meaning this is where you'll find the |
| the genealogist were in the larger LDS Temple | | | | treasure of family information. |
| libraries, distant National Archives locations, State | | | | 3. Narrow your results by selecting the best "Find |
| Libraries, or held by small genealogy societies spread | | | | Results" field. |
| out through the US. The Internet has been a blessing | | | | 4. Don't over look the "any Language" drop down |
| to make these records available online-Good-bye to | | | | menu. If you are looking for a name or term that is |
| long car drives or arriving at a location only to find | | | | of foreign origin but want US records, it's better to |
| that it was closed for the day. | | | | select English. |
| Google Books is a useful website to fill in the gaps of | | | | I get wonderful results when I search Google Books |
| information that can't be found in public records. For | | | | because I maximize the use of the "All" words search |
| example, a biography could tell you where an | | | | when selecting how I want to "Find Results." If you |
| ancestor lived during the years between census | | | | narrow your search early, you'll get fewer results but |
| records or divulge family relationships not noted on | | | | they will be closer to what you are looking for. |
| any public record. Another time to turn to Google | | | | 1. Husband and wife (John Smith Jane Doe) |
| Books is when a researcher encounters the | | | | 2. Name and location (John Smith Pulaski County KY) |
| frustrating twenty year void between the 1880 and | | | | 3. Try name variables (John A Smith) |
| 1900 census. It's vexing to try to determine family | | | | 4. Try spelling variable (John Smith Pulaski County |
| relationships before the 1850 Census (the first year | | | | Kentucky) |
| when spouses and other household members were | | | | The overall rule for Google Books: check back often. |
| finally enumerated on the census), however you may | | | | Google is adding new books every day. Wikipedia |
| be able to find a history book or even a vanity | | | | states that as of October 2009 Google had scanned |
| autobiography that explains your family relationships. | | | | ten million books, raising the odds that you'll find your |
| To get the most out of Google Books, follow these | | | | family history in at least one of them! |