Introduction -- The 5 fundamental Ws of research -- What's your starting point? -- Stay organized -- Explore helpful online databases -- Document your research -- Develop a research outline -- Reflect -- Nationality, race, ethnicity, culture, and ancestry -- Genetic and ancestral research : there's a big difference -- Preserve and share your family's story -- Access public information -- Save your photos -- Create a genealogy timeline -- What an census records do for you? -- Explore marriage records -- Examine vital records -- Explore your heritage -- Access land records -- Retrieve military records -- Genealogy research : in person versus online -- Explore local history -- Make use of maps -- The most common brick walls in research -- Conduct international research -- Cite sources -- Use newspapers in genealogical research -- Begin African American research -- Identify community support -- Identify worthwhile blogs -- What's a pioneer certificate? -- Research naturalization records -- Ellis Island and the multiple Ellis Islands for enslaved Africans -- Search and use naturalization records -- Find and review passenger ship logs -- Track down elusive arrival and naturalization records -- Write a successful record request -- Search for published family histories -- Listen to the music of your heritage -- Searching for orphaned, adopted, and bound-out children -- Reflect -- The importance of migration routes -- Understand ancestral financial records -- Review coroner's records and obituaries -- Visit a cemetery -- Investigate an industry -- Write your family's ethnic/immigrant story -- Make a family heirloom -- Track down out-of-print items -- Bring your research logs to life -- Reflect -- Appendix A : finding a lost connection to the Weeping Time Slave Sale (1859, Savannah, Georgia) -- Appendix B : citation formats by information source type

"Practical Genealogy provides a method for investigating your family history by establishing an understanding of genealogy and the factors, tasks, and obstacles involved in research. ... Practical Genealogy simplifies and breaks down the complex research process into actionable tips that can be conducted over a period of time. And most importantly, no blood test is necessary."--Back cover