1-on-1 with Cheri Hudson Passey: Featuring Guest Cindy Roe Littlejohn, Author of Palmetto Pioneers

Author Cindy Roe Littlejohn joins me to discuss her family history book Palmetto Pioneers: The Immigrants. She explains how she came to write this creative non-fiction work and the importance of sharing your family story.

From years of research to put it all together in narrative form, Palmetto Pioneers is an example of how to put flesh on the bones to tell family stories.

She shares the story of Mary Adeline Walker from the low country of South Carolina and the journey she takes with her family to what was then considered the wilds of Florida.

Watch as Cindy shares how this book can help people interested in writing their own family narrative and also be a resource for those with ancestors who lived in the location during this time in South Carolina and Florida history.

About Cindy:

Cindy Roe Littlejohn

Author of Palmetto Pioneers &

Managing Partner, Roe Sisters Tree Farms

Palmetto Pioneers: The Emigrants: Before there were cowboys, pioneers, frontier justice, and Indian wars in the Old West, there was frontier Florida. Florida, before statehood, had it all plus alligators, humidity, and mosquitos. The narrative-nonfiction book, Palmetto Pioneers: The Emigrants, describes what it was like for a family who moved there in 1829.

 

Links:

Palmetto Pioneers

Website https://www.palmettopioneers.com/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/CindyRoeLittlejohn.Author/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/palmettopioneers?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B0B6GHPF26?_encoding=UTF8&langFilter=default&node=2656022011&offset=0&page=1&pageSize=12&searchAlias=stripbooks&sort=author-sidecar-rank#formatSelectorHeader

Amazon Book Page: https://www.amazon.com/Palmetto-Pioneers-Emigrants-Cindy-Littlejohn-ebook/dp/B0B6PQG1WH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OEOPTSCJLFDW&keywords=palmetto+pioneers+book+cindy+roe+littlejohn&qid=1659379850&sprefix=Palmetto+pioneers+%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1

YouTube Page: Cindy Roe Littlejohn

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Helping you climb your family tree,

Book Review:"Your DNA Guide the Book, Step by Step Plans to Connect with Your Family Using Your DNA" by Diahan Southard

Disclaimer: I received a copy of "Your DNA Guide the Book, Step by Step Plans to Connect with Your Family Using Your DNA" to review. No monetary compensation has or will be given.

Diahan Southard is well known for her DNA writings and lectures.
She's funny and down to earth. Her presentations are always filled with color and graphics and explain the sometimes overwhelming topic in a simple and easy way to understand.

And now? She's put her style into her first book on DNA.
This isn't your ordinary deep dive of what is DNA, what kinds of tests are out there and how to use them to find your family. While all those are great resources, this book is unique.
My first thought was this is just like the choose your own adventure books I used to read as a kid. You know the ones were you read to a certain part in a book and then have a choice as to which page to jump to?
Well, this book is similar.
After a few chapters on the basic information you need to know before searching, Diahan gives you a choice as to where to go next depending on what you are looking for! She walks you step by step through the process of using your matches to help find family connections.

Here's an example:
The chapter" Searching for Biological Parents" begins on page 30. On page 32 there are questions about what you are looking for, Your answers sending you to other pages-you are choosing your DNA adventure!
If you are a male and looking for your father- head to page 232, read the info and come back to pg.32 and proceed from there.
If you are looking for both parents go to page 57 and follow the instructions,
If you are looking for a birth parent and someone from the other side of the family has tested go to page 44, if not start with the steps on page 57.

Each move through the book leads you to the learning guides and research strategies for your DNA journey.

It's almost like having Diahn there to hold your and while you work your way through your matches and find your family!

Speaking of the research strategy stations, this book covers everything from Cheating Tools, Endogamy, Pedigree Collapse and so much more. Each chapter is written in a clear easy way to help you understand topics that can seem so complex.

Here's what you can find in the book:

I have to be honest here.
Although I understand much of the basic information on DNA and how to use it to find family members, there is much I need to learn.

Your DNA Guide the Book, Step by Step Plans to Connect with Your Family Using Your DNA" by Diahan Southard is just what I needed to help me over some of those gaps in my knowledge. She writes and illustrates in a down to earth, easy to comprehend way.
If you are seeking to understand how to use DNA to make family connections, I highly recommend this book.

 Click here to get your copy. This is not an affiliate link.


Do you have a copy?
I would love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

Book Review-Tracing Their Steps: A Memoir by Bernice Alexander Bennett

In Tracing Their Steps: A Memoir written by Bernice Alexander Bennett, the author shares her journey to discover the truthfulness of a family story told by her grandmother MaBecky.

At the age of 100, memories of hearing about land owned by her grandfather, Peter Clark, MaBecky  Peter, and his family with Bernice. The information she provided lit a spark that took her on a 15-year search to discover if the land was actually owned by Peter Clark and if so where it was located.

This easy and quick read shares the research plan, repositories consulted and results found.
Not only does Bernice show the way the looked for the property, but shares her emotions as each new piece was found, analyzed and conclusions reached.

From her discovery in the Family Bible to the that which was found in by using the Friends, Associates, and Neighbors (FAN) Club principle, Tracing Their Steps: A Memoir by Bernice Alexander Bennett shows research methodologies in practice and keeps the reader entertained by her talks and travels with her mother as she weaves the tale of finding her ancestor's land. 

Especially poignant is the arrival of Hurrican Katrina in New Orleans and it's impact on her story and
as we often find while researching, there are surprises and unexpected discoveries along the way.

Photos, copies of the documents, and newspaper articles are included to help visualize how Bernice worked to solve her research question to discover the truth about the land once owned by her ancestor.

A great read not only for family history enthusiasts but for those who enjoy a good story!

To learn more about Bernice's book watch my interview with her on GenFriends by clicking this link. She talks to me and shares some of her experiences after we discuss an episode of Relative Race. 

Disclaimer: No financial incentive was given to write this review. A free pdf version was provided for review purposes. 

Book Review-Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide

Disclaimer: A pdf version was provided at no charge for the purpose of this review

New to the genealogy book market is Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide by Diana Elder, AG with Nicole Dyer.

Based on successful "Research Like a Pro" classes and blog posts, this step by step approach will lead the reader through a research project large or small and can be used by those with all levels of genealogical research experience.

Beginning with an explanation of how to use the book, the following chapters lead the researcher through the process:
Chapter 1-Research Objectives
Chapter 2-Analyze Your Sources
Chapter 3-Locality Research
Chapter 4-Research Planning
Chapter 5-Source Citations
Chapter 6-Research Logs
Chapter 7-Report Writing
Chapter 8-What's Next for the Researcher?

This book is so much more than just a well-written explanation of basic research methodology. After a detail explanation of the methodology introduced in the chapter, a task is given to the reader to help put each into practice. There is an appendix with templates of the forms used in each chapter and real work samples that show "how to" use each technique.

If you are looking for a way to strengthen your research skills and learn to "Research Like a Pro" this is the book for you!


Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide is available in print or ebook on amazon.com



Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

Book Review~Genealogy Basics in 30 Minutes-Shannon Combs-Bennett

New to the In 30 Minutes Guides is Shannon Combs-Bennett's Genealogy Basics in 30 Minutes.
 Written for the beginner and experienced alike, Shannon explains the how to's and gives tips on basic genealogy principles in an easy to read format.
 Starting with an introduction that explains why people are interested in genealogy she moves on to several important research topics.
 The chapters in Genealogy in 30 Minutes include:
1-Starting With Your Family Tree with topics on record types and dealing with brick walls.
2-Genealogy Road Trips explains how to use repositories to look for family documents and what to include in a portable genealogy kit.
3-Oneline Research, Genetic Genealogy, and other Resources discusses where to begin online, learning from the genealogy community, and a basic guide to genetic genealogy.
4-Tracking and Sharing Your Research gives important information on using forms and charts to keep you organized and walks you through writing source citations. Shannon also shares how to write about your family history in order to share it with others.
5-How to Tame Sprawling Records goes over organization methods, including using computer programs. An important discussion on disaster prevention in order to preserve and safe keep all of your research, documents, and pictures is also part of this closing chapter.

Shannon has included Case Studies for each of the chapters to explain and help readers to understand the various topics included in the book. She also provides ProTips and Pitfall warnings throughout.

An Appendix includes a Pedigree and Cousin Charts and a list of 20 questions to ask relatives to help kids get involved.

This basic genealogy book is a fast, informative read that will get you on your way if you are ready to begin your genealogy journey or are looking for tips to jump start or push past a problem area.

Disclaimer:  A free copy of the book was provided for reviewing.

Book Review~A Genealogist's Guide to the Washington, DC Area

  Planning a genealogy research trip to Washington, D.C. or surrounding area and not sure how or where to begin? A new book is out that will help you answer any questions you may have and will get you prepared for anything you need to know -from where to eat, what to wear, how to travel and where to research.
   

  A Genealogist's Guide to the Washington, D.C. Area is the second in a series of Genealogy Guides written by Shannon Combs-Bennett and published by The In-depth Genealogist.
   In this easy to read guide, helpful information is given on where to research in the D.C. and surrounding areas as well as non genealogical things to do and places to visit.
  The information includes:    

•  A history of the area.
•  A packing guide.
• An overview of Washington, D.C with specific lists of places to go, eat and shop as well as emergency information including pharmacies and hospitals. Transportation and safety issues are discussed as well. There is also information about city parks.
• A section on non-genealogy attractions. 
• A list of Genealogy Research Sites in the D.C. area, including metro information and tips for visits.
• A list of Genealogy Research Sites in Northern Virginia, with tips,addresses,hours and contact information.
• A list of Genealogy Research Sites in Maryland with tips, addresses,  hours and contact information.
• A list of other resources books and web sites for further information on a trip to the area.

    Several road, metro, park and other maps are included in the guide with explanations given on how to make sense of the roads, and metros.

    For someone who has never been to the Washington,D.C. area and is a bit intimidated by the thought of visiting, researching and making their way around such a large city, this book is the perfect resource.
   And for those who live in the area? I will bet they will find new resources that they hadn't thought of.
Thanks, Shannon, for another great book! I feel a research trip coming on!

To get your copy of A Genealogist's Guide to the Washington, D.C. Area visit The IDG Products page where you can purchase the book in either paperback or .pdf format.

Disclaimer:  A free .pdf version of the book was sent to review. No payment has or will be made for this review.

Are we kin? Please contact me.Together we can find our people!

Thanks so much for stopping by!


       

A Genealogist's Guide to Richmond,Virginia-Book Review

Disclaimer: This book review is at the request of author Shannon Combs-Bennett. No payment was given for this review. A copy of the book was mailed to me free of charge.

   A Genealogist's Guide to Richmond,Virginia, was written by Shannon Combs-Bennett and published by The In-Depth Genealogist in May 2014.

  From information on the history of Richmond, to packing lists, restaurants, ATM machines , maps of places to visit and repositories to research, this book is a must for those who are not familiar with the city and would like to be prepared for a successful visit.

  Here's a look at the Table of Contents:

Introduction
Packing Checklist
Downtown Richmond
City Safety Guide
Public Transportation
Shopping
    ATM's & Banks
    Convenience Stores
    Restaurants
Richmond Area
    Genealogy Attractions
    Other Attractions
Day-Trips (within 2-hours drive)
      Genealogy Attractions
       Other Attractions
Links for More Information


 To purchase a copy of A Genealogist's Guide to Richmond,Virginia in either paperback ($9.99) or .pdf ($4.99) format go to  The In-Depth Genealogist Shop.
 The time it will save in planning your next research trip to Richmond is well worth the price!

 
Thanks to Shannon Combs-Bennett and The In-Depth Genealogist for making this book available. I am looking forward to future Genealogist's Guides for other cities.
 

Thanks so much for stopping by!