No matter how monumental the task of organizing your research may seem, a systematic method saves valuable time and creates more accurate work. This Portable Genealogist offers practical advice on how to organize your research and files, keep track of families, and create goals to guide future research. Even if you are a seasoned family historian, it's not too late to incorporate these practices into your work!

The four-page laminated guide can fit easily in your research binder.

By Rhonda R. McClure

Massachusetts researchers are fortunate to have so many early resources for genealogical and historical research. One source that is often overlooked, however, is the 1855 and 1865 Massachusetts state census. The state census contains valuable genealogical information beyond what is available in the federal census and provides important insight into Civil War-era Massachusetts. This Portable Genealogist will assist you in understanding, locating, and using this key record.

The four-page laminated guide can fit easily in your research binder.

An index is essential in a family history book; your reader should be able, at a minimum, to look up every person mentioned in the book. This Portable Genealogist will outline the basic principles for genealogical indexing, including showing you how to index names and places; discussing how to create and format an index; and showing you how to use Microsoft Word to create an index.

By Leslie A. Weston

8 1/2 x 11 inches, 4-page laminated pamphlet

Since the 1600s, people have immigrated to America to escape religious or social persecution, claim a better life, or seek adventure. No matter the reason or time period, finding your immigrant ancestor can be a difficult task. This Portable Genealogist will help you better understand the major waves of immigration to the U.S. between 1607 and 1924 and discuss what records exist, where to find them, and how to learn more about your ancestor's entry into America.

The four-page laminated guide can fit easily in your research binder.

Learn about WWII draft registration cards, using the census to determine if your ancestor served; accessing Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Army files at the National Personnel Records Center; and using record collections at the National Archives and other repositories.

By Melanie McComb

Published by American Ancestors in January 2025

8 ½ x 11 laminated, 4 pages

Learn about WWI draft registration cards; using the census to determine if your ancestor served; accessing Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Army files at the National Personnel Records Center; and using record collections at the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and other repositories.

By David Allen Lambert

Published by American Ancestors in January 2025

8 ½ x 11 laminated, 4 pages

This handy guide will help you determine whether your ancestor served in the U.S. Army State Volunteers in the War of 1812 by using the Compiled Military Service Records (CMSRs). For U.S. Regular Army veterans, learn how to use enlistment, discharge, and prisoner of war records. For those who served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, using muster and pay rolls, casualty reports, and courts martial records may allow you to further your research.

Learn what records exist and where to find them, what information they contain, and how to use them to further your research.

By Ann G. Lawthers, ScD

Published by American Ancestors in January 2025

8 ½ x 11 laminated, 4 pages

Learn how to locate different types of newspapers and take advantage of the wealth of genealogical information they can contain, including birth, engagement, marriage, and death announcements; legal and court notices; notices of land sales; crime reporting; social reporting; advertisements; and shipping news.

By Ann G. Lawthers, ScD

Published by American Ancestors in January 2025

8 ½ x 11 laminated, 4 pages

Our military expert will show you how to use the 1890 Veterans Schedules and the 1910 and 1930 U.S. Censuses to determine on which side your ancestor fought. Then examine records for the U.S. Army, Confederate Army, and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps by using the Compiled Military Service Records (CMSRs) and the National Park Service’s Soldiers and Sailors Database.