New Book: Understanding Documents for Genealogy & Local History

Dr Bruce Durie is a genealogy expert, amongst several other talents. A former neuroscientist, he presently teaches at the universities of Dundee and Edinburgh (in Scotland), is Archivist and Historian to the Chief of the Durie Family and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. I have written about several of his past activities with past articles available by starting at http://goo.gl/xN6DT. Now he has written a new book that sounds interesting. Here is the announcement:

Understanding Documents for Genealogy & Local History by Dr Bruce Durie

To be published 21st February 2013, £20.00 Paperback Original

978-0-7524-6464-0

The ultimate guide to reading and understanding the old documents necessary for researching family or local history

When it comes to the task of research, genealogists and local historians have probably seen every birth, marriage, death and census record available. The internet has made this sort of in-depth research possible and it continues to be an invaluable source, however once everything that can be learnt online has been used, the next step is reading older documents. These can be hard to find and even harder to understand given that they are written in challenging handwriting and use unfamiliar terms. Readers need to be able to understand the nature and intent of a range of documents as well as the handwriting and ‘shape’ of the contents. This new title from renowned genealogist Dr Bruce Durie is the complete handbook to understanding old documents, providing vital insight and guidance for those looking to utilise old documents as a genealogical resource.

Discussing testaments, contracts, charters, land records, official records, calendars, abbreviations, transcription conventions and much more; Understanding Documents for Genealogy & Local History is the essential guide for family and local historians everywhere. With 22 chapters covering resources from England, Scotland and Wales, this exceptionally detailed volume fills a much needed gap in genealogy publishing, presenting a detailed guide to document research that is accessible to all.

• The future of genealogy is in land, law and language. Genealogists have to find, read and understand older documents.
• Includes examples and information from previously unseen documents.
• Catching the next big surge in genealogy and family history.

The book can be ordered now on Amazon.com at http://goo.gl/vdupL and as well as on Amazon.co.uk.