Illuminate Your Past

Ancestry and genealogy explore the story of how people are connected across generations, weaving together family lines through historical records, DNA evidence, and shared cultural roots. By tracing family history, individuals uncover where their ancestors lived, the traditions they carried, and the migrations that shaped their identity. Modern tools—from archival documents to genetic testing—make it easier than ever to piece together these narratives, turning names and dates into a richer understanding of personal heritage.

Updated June 20, 2026
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Fond du Lac Public Library
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I am nobody's slave : how uncovering my family's history set me free
Hawkins, Lee
Paper Book
"Harrowing and insightful. . . . A profound work about the Black experience and white oppression."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "This work is vitally important and essential to understanding the magnitude of the impact of racism and violence."--Library Journal...

305.3889 Hawkins 2024

The family tree guide to DNA testing and genetic genealogy
Bettinger, Blaine T.
Paper Book
Unlock the family secrets in your DNA! Discover the answers to your family history mysteries using the most cutting edge tool available. This plain-English guide (newly updated and expanded to include th latest DNA developments) will teach you what DNA tests are available; the...

929.1 Bettinger 2019

Genealogy standards
Paper Book
How do family historians know they are producing or receiving trustworthy results? This official manual from the Board of Certification for Genealogists, essentially a users' guide for family historians, provides standards for genealogical researchers to assess their own and others' work. The...

929.1 Board 2019

Essential skills for the occasional genealogist : beyond-beginner genealogy skills for busy family historians
Dondero, Jennifer Patterson
Paper Book

929.1 Dondero 2023

Finding your family tree : a beginner's guide to researching your genealogy
Morgan, Sharon Leslie
Paper Book
Embarking on a quest to uncover your ancestry? Finding Your Family Tree is the perfect genealogy guide to have at your side, with special research techniques for underrepresented groups. Genealogy offers you the opportunity to understand who you are...

929.1 Morgan, Sharon 2023

Practical genealogy : 50 simple steps to research your diverse family history
Sheffey, Brian
Paper Book
Uncover facts and mysteries of your ancestors-a clear approach to genealogy The pursuit of family history tends to be shaped by several motives, including finding a larger familial historical picture, preserving the past for future generations, and storytelling. Practical Genealogy<...

929.1 Sheffey 2020

Generation by generation : a modern approach to the basics of genealogy
Smith, Drew
Paper Book
This guide is organized according to the actual process used in genealogical research: Start with yourself, then move on to living family and relatives, and then move backwards in time, generation by generation. Each chapter describes a time period and the kinds of records available for that era,...

929.1 Smith, Drew 2023

DNA for Native American genealogy
Estes, Roberta
Paper Book
This work is the first book to offer detailed information and advice specifically aimed at family historians interested in fleshing out their Native American family tree through DNA testing. Included are step-by-step instructions, with illustrations, on how to use DNA testing at the four major DNA...

929.1072 Estes 2021

Understanding DNA ancestry
Krimsky, Sheldon
Paper Book
DNA ancestry companies generate revenues in the region of $1bn a year, and the company 23andMe is said to have sold 10 million DNA ancestry kits to date. Although evidently popular, the science behind how DNA ancestry tests work is mystifying and difficult for the general public to interpret and...

929.1072 Krimsky 2022

The family tree problem solver : tried-and-true tactics for tracing elusive ancestors
Rising, Marsha Hoffman
Paper Book
Proven Solutions for Your Research Challenges Has your family history research hit a brick wall?Marsha Hoffman Rising'sbestselling bookThe Family Tree Problem Solverhas the solutions to help you find the answers you seek. Inside you'll find- Work-arounds...

929.1072 Rising 2019

Tracing your Irish ancestors
Grenham, John
Paper Book
With its step-by-step instructions in the location and use of traditional genealogical records, its discussion of civil records of birth, marriage, and death as well as land records and wills, and its list of Roman Catholic parish records and source lists, the fifth edition of this definitive Irish...

929.2 Grenham 2019

The color of family : history, race, and the politics of ancestry
O'Malley, Michael
Paper Book
A uniquely blended personal family history and history of the changing definitions of race in America.   A zealous eugenicist ran Virginia's Bureau of Vital Statistics in the first half of the twentieth century, misusing his position to reclassify people he...

929.2097 O'Malley 2024

The Family Tree Scandinavian genealogy guide : how to trace your ancestors in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway
Fryxell, David A.
Paper Book
Trace your Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish ancestors! This convenient guide will help you discover your Northern European family history while optimizing your research time. Highlights include- .Strategies for identifying immigrant Scandinavian ancestors, plus how to trace...

929.3481 Fryxell 2019

Family tree factbook : key genealogy tips and stats for the busy researcher
Haddad, Diane
Paper Book
Discover your roots! The answers to all your genealogy questions in one place! This convenient, timesaving collection of genealogy hacks gathers the best resources, tips, lists, and need-to-know facts from the experts at Family Tree Magazine. Inside, you'll find fast facts...

929.373 Family 2018

How to find your family history in U.S. church records : a genealogist's guide
Morton, Sunny Jane
Paper Book
It is not always an easy task to track down U.S. church records. This book takes researchers step-by-step through the process of identifying, locating, and gaining access to these genealogical gems. Included in this unique, peer-reviewed book are hundreds of links to church research resources, as...

929.373 Morton 2019

The stained glass window : a family history as the American story, 1790-1958
Lewis, David Levering
Paper Book
A Top 100 Book by the Schomburg Library "At once narrative history, family chronicle and personal memoir... [a] luminous work of investigation and introspection." -Wall Street Journal National Humanities Medal recipient and two-time recipient of the Pulitzer Prize...

975.0049 Lewis 2025


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