The 2nd edition of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy, written by genealogy superstars Christine Rose and Kay Germain Ingalls, was published in 2005, and is jam-packed of great genealogy advice for beginners and experienced researchers.

The 1st edition, published in 1997, is now available as a free download. Much has changed in the 8 years since the first edition, but sound genealogy principles remain. All 353 pages are available to view. Look at the table of contents:

• Why Genealogy?
• Start with Mom and Dad
• You're hooked, now what?
• Keeping track of what you find
• Kissin' kin: how to find them
• A rose by any other name
• Getting the most from libraries
• Your family's hometown
• Census research: have you done your homework?
• Making sense of the census
• Corresponding effectively
• A little traveling music, please
• Courthouses: gateway to the past
• A picnic in the cemetery
• More than news in the newspaper
• Did Great-Grandpa carry a rifle?
• Creating order out of chaos
• Doing it right
• Gaining historical perspective
• Resolving discrepancies
• Spending your money wisely
• Discovering less used sources
• Some final words

View the book by clicking here.