Whenever I get into a hobby (if I can dignify my ephemeral ineterests with such a term) I usually plunge right in and start messing with whatever has piqued my interest. A few months later, I then get a introductory book on the subject and use it to organize my newly gained experience and fill in some of the things I missed. If I really get into
a hobby, I may even go out and buy a book. Anyway, I confirmed genealogy and my web site as official hobbies by picking up the appropriate introductory volumes at the fall 2003 Friends of the Library sale. This is the genealogy one. It's nice enough and has some good, basic info. (as well as some forms to photocopy) However, it's geared toward someone who is writing a family history--complete with recollections and anecdotes. Me, I'm in the facts stage of things. I don't care what odd habits Great-great-grandpa Lewis Graham had. I want to know what part of Canada he hails from and if he's really part Onandaga like my aunts and uncles claim. But then, I'm treating this all more like a puzzle to be solved than a heritage to be claimed. Anyway, I've got my 75 cents worth. If you're looking for an intro to genealogy, this is worth checking out, but I suspect there are other books out there which would serve just as well.
--J. ( )