Genealogy Books

Ms Champ did a great job on this book. The blurb states that she is collecting items for Vol II. This is wrong. Volume II has been released and she is collecting for Vol III. Please contact her for more information.

An excellant work for any of those who may have descendents from early Collin County,Texas. Minnie Champ deserves great recognition for spending countless hours to insure that our ancestors and their stories are not forgotten.

As author/publisher of this book done in memory of my mother, Alice Ellison Pitts, who started the book, I'd like you to know its contents. The family stories written by descendants of Collin County early settlers are personal, varied and contain an abundance of Collin County history. The book, 9"x12," contains 548 different family stories in alpha order, has full surname index, and also has over 350 family photographs.

Volume II of this work is under production and a call for materials is out. You are invited to submit your Collin Co. related stories.

Other books available for purchase on Collin County. Email for info

Not being a serious student of history, I came across this book purely by accident, it was given to me as a gift. However, once I started to read this narrative I could not help to actually become interested in the fate of these Confederate Soldiers who are buried so far North of their beloved South.The author Mr Walter manages to keep the tone of the book quite easy to read and obviously put into it a great deal of research and care. If you are interested in the Civil War or captivating true stories this book is a definite winner.

Needing to find some information on a long lost relative that fought on the losing side of the Civil War, and knowing that he had perished under Northern captivity, I turned to this book and voila! found my ancestor.

Mr Walter has written a splendid book. Thoroughly researched yet light on the palate, I'd recommend this book to anyone with a curious mind about the history of our great country.

I have had the pleasure of knowing John Walter for almost 20 years. I attended the CCD classes that he held at St Margret's School in Middle Village.

I am also priviledged to have had John do some research for me on a relative that served in the Union Army. Not only did John take the time to research the information for me at the National Archives but he also led me to my great-grandfather's (X 7) gravesite! And he put together a brief history for me of the unit that my grandfather served in and all of the battles and skirmishes that they were in.

This book is a fascinating. To know that there were so many Rebel dead buried a few blocks away!!! I can't wait until he publishes his next book on POWs at Fort Delaware at the Delaware River and the companion to this book about the Northern dead!

Great work John!!!
Always your friend.
Chris

Some years ago I was introduced to a web designer whose last name was Perera. Although he came from a Catholic family, as I worked with him and being Jewish myself, I began to wonder if he was from Jewish roots in Spain. The more I worked with him, the stronger the feeling became. I asked him about it and he pretty much laughed it off, but did say that there was some vague family lore about it but no one knew. Eventually, I felt I wanted to know if it was true and my search lead me to this book. I felt Victor Perera's research is fascinating and brilliant. I couldn't put the book down. Of course, it proved my hunch beyond a reasonable doubt, I believe, and this was very satisfying. The web designer was perplexed at the news. I'm not sure if he shared it with him family or not. In any case, over the years, I still think about what an interesting book this is and I've recommended it to several people. Alas, last night I met a Jewish convert whose mother is from Spain and recommended the book once again. She is excited to get her hands on it.

Highly recommended.

Great book,I was very interested in the premise after a friend bought it for me as a gift. I really enjoyed the book's flow and the Sefardic postmodern experience through the authors eyes. As I have written before the Sefardic experience is "complicated" to say the least. This experience can only be truly described by a fellow Andalusian Jew. I highly recommend this book for those who want to understand the complexities of being an Iberian Sefardic Jew. The Book reads easily and its a fascinating account of one of many families that are in exile both from Israel and from our beloved Sefarad. A true joy to read and relish in.
note: The duality between the Families having both Jews and Christians in it is very real to this day. Check out the cover.
Shemuel Fuentes de Lemos

I read this book just after it was published. Victor Perera's life and background are of interest to all who have an interest in family, history and the journeys of generations. Whether the reader is of Jewsh, Spanish or Portoguese background, he will find things in this book which will astound him. Read this book!

The Confederate Battle Flag came to symbolize for both sides the Southern struggle for independence, and gained a place in the hearts of Southerners that time, and misuse by racists and psychopaths, can never erase.
Aside from symbolic value, regimental colors had a tactical function as well; the vicinity of the flag being the hottest and most dangerous place on the field, and the locus of that quaint and discredited nineteenth-century notion; military glory. In this excellent study Rollins chronicles the history of Confederate flags and in particular the 42 battle flags captured during the Gettysburg campaign. Each has a story of its own, and Rollins tells it thoroughly and compellingly, with maps, diagrams, admirably clear narrative, and a color photo of the flag as it appears today. A bonus is Rollins' illuminating essay on the heart, mind, and culture of the Southern soldier, which alone makes the book worthwhile.
A fine production; highly recommended for all Civil War students, and especially anyone seeking understanding of the Confederate Battle Flag and its meaning.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

It has been some time since I read Mr. Rollins' book, but I will try to give my best recollections of it. To me the best parts were first off the chapter on the meaning of the Confederate battle flag. I felt then and still do now that this is the best dissertation on what the battle flag meant to the typical soldier in the field. It would be instructive reading for those who are negative about the flag. Secondly, it is wonderful that for each description of a flag there is a color photograph of that flag. That alone is worth the price of the book. The only negative that I could find was Rollins' description of how the colors were employed by the typical regiment in battle. A color guard (if carrying one flag) usually consisted of 9 soldiers, lined up in 3 ranks of 3 men each. The center soldier in the front rank carried the colors. Just prior to a regiment marching forward, the color bearer and ONLY the other two soldiers in his rank stepped out six paces. The rest remained in the ranks. In Rollins' book he has the entire color guard stepping out. Why would this be a problem? Because as the regiment marched forward, they were to dress towards the center. If there was a gap left because the entire color guard was out in front, the color guard would soon find their place in the ranks gone and would have no place to go. It is simply a misreading of the drill manual. As I said the book is excellent- a good read and reference for anyone interested in the Battle of Gettysburg and the Southern Cross.

This is the first and foremost book on the subject of the Confederate battle flags. Not only does it provide a very detailed look at the flags lost at Gettysburg but, it also gives a true relationship of the men and their flags and what it meant to them. It is a book all people, who look at the Condeferate Flag either as a symbol of hate or one of a heritage long past, should read. It places the flag and the people surrounding it in their proper light. It tells the concise story of how the flag came to be, it military as well as social place in the American Civil War and in this country's heritage.

What's the best thing about this book?

The Judaica section, where it talks about Jewish history/genealogy?

The Etymology section, with its fascinating secrets revealed about common Jewish surnames?

The Various Country Biographies?

The Jewish Genealogical Societies, complete with short biographies and research tips?

Or is it the massive Surname index in the back- over 3,000 names, I believe?

No, I think the best thing about this book is summed up in the introduction. It's a book FOR US. For Jews, about Jews, explaining the History of Jews in Europe and other places, and how we can find out about them.

So nu, buy a copy! It's worth it!

I have a few books on Jewish geneaology and I rate this one to be one of my favorites. What I enjoyed was the thorough information showing how to conduct your own family research, along with information about family surnames at the back of the book.

This book is extremely useful and readable. Not only does it provide plenty of specific Jewish genealogical information, it's a fabulous history lesson. Very useful.

Reviewed by Kathleen Dowdell for Reader Views (7/06)

Did you know that in 1909 all residential streets in Chicago were renumbered? And that it was not an Illinois state requirement until 1916 to file birth certificates? These are just a couple of nuggets of information you will find helpful in your ancestral research when you read Grace DuMelle's "Finding Your Chicago Ancestors". This book is an invaluable tool for beginners as well as seasoned researchers looking for historical family back ground.

This book is comprised of 16 chapters that aid the researcher in tracing their Chicago
ancestors. Each chapter ends with a Points to Remember section that condenses the information in the chapter into an easy to use checklist. What's also unique is the unintended time line that explains where data can be found for the last two centuries.
Included in this 321 page book are numerous websites and buildings in Chicago and Cook County that house many materials that are not available on line.

This is one of the best genealogical resources for finding your ancestors that I have read. What makes it more unique is that its information is solely targeted for Chicago. But even if you're not searching for a past family member of Chicago, this book is useful because it explains how to research using historical documents. There is so much hands-on interactive information that, with the help of this book, searching for the roots of your family tree will be fun and easy to do.

Grace DuMelle's background in historical research and her connections with many Chicago historical organizations is quite striking. It's a real bonus that she put all that knowledge and expertise into this great book for all to read. Definitely a book to own!

This book was a true pleasure to read! Grace Dumelle has taken what could be a very complicated topic, and she has presented it in an organized and easy to follow format.

I have not done any geneology work, but reading this book inspired me to try to get several questions about my ancestors answered.

I now have a much better sense of where to start my search.

I recommend this book highly.

Alane Repa

If your family tree includes Chicago roots, you better make sure a copy of Finding Your Chicago Ancestors: A Beginner's Guide To Family History In The City And Cook County is on your shelf: family historian Grace DuMdelle shows how and what to research in a Chicago-specific guide to genealogy which covers everything from local resources to Chicago research facilities and how to access them. Any beginner can use Finding Your Chicago Ancestors because it also covers important changes in search routines, how to make the most of 'hidden documents', how to overcome common records-seeking problems and much more.

Great book makes locating missing persons easy......we are a family again

Years of searching.......I found my sister lost from birth

Using commonly available resources, the author guides the reader to access information . . . that helps to find someone.

Lost track of your family . . . searching for an old friend . . . need to get in touch with someone who's moved . . . it's not only possible, it's EASY!

Try it for yourself!!

I own both this book and the matching one of the Union. Both of these books belong in any Civil War hhistorians collection. Not only is this a good book for those who have found a new interset in the Civil War, but a well informed historian will ejoy this book too. The photos of the armaments, uniforms and flags will complete any book collection on the Civil War. This and the matching Union books are must buys.

Mr. Cannon has produced an excellent compilation of the flags used by the South during the US Civil War. I highly recommend it as a history and geography teacher. As an author myself I appreciate the style of presentation he uses in this book. I also recommend his companion book, "Flags of the Union".

Devereaux D. Cannon is an expert on vexillology (the study of flags). This book offers a history, profiles, design specs and an overview of the various flags (national flags, battle flags and naval ensigns) that were utilized by the Confederacy. The book features several pages with glossy photos of the various flags of the Confederacy. It features even the little known flags. Cannon's book has inspired flag maker's to revive the old flags in addition to the 3 national flags, the battle flag and the naval ensign. This book is must have for flag gurus, Civil War buffs and southern partisans.

For young people,parents and teachers, a "must have" on explorations of Florida's bountiful geological treasures. Many surprises await the reader as he is introduced to this trove of unique fascinating facts.

What a wonderful addition to Florida lore. A well written, well structured book that can add a lot of fun to a family vacation or inform the experienced rock hound. Ms. Comfort has written a useful and delightful book.

This a definite must for a Florida vacation and was an excellent substitute until I can get there in the flesh. From the data on Florida's earthquakes (few), to her lightning storms (many), to description of "braiding" rivers and such poetic formations of fulgurites (lightning strikes frozen in sand when the grains melt and fuse along the lightning's course), to the beautiful color photos of crystals (I am still OOOOoooohhhhing over the golden wavellites) this was a poetical but PRACTICAL guide to rock hunting and caving in Florida. I recommend it highly.

Galleys and unfinished titles typically aren't mentioned here but keep an eye out for the finished version of FORGOTTEN FACES: A WINDOW NTO OUR IMMIGRANT PAST: it's a unique coverage of photo-ceramic memorial grave portraits and provides an outstanding survey of memorial portraiture as its own art form. This could have been mentioned under our art review section but is featured here for its important cultural insights as well: California immigrant history comes to life in an outstanding visual and written survey of a unique art and memorial form which should not be missed.

Forgotten Faces explores a unique aspect of America's history - the photo-ceramic memorial portraits upon tombstones, long-forgotten art in plain sight. Black-and-white photographs througout reveal the skill and emotion behind these images, which remain perfectly preserved despite ornamenting tombstones for almost a century. The text discusses epitaphs and inscriptions on the tombstones with the portraits, as well as surveying what is known about the men and women whose likenesses have been captured to heartrending perfection. Images of immigrants from 28 nations from cemeteries in various American and European locations combine to create a unique cross-section of photographic art and history combined.

Forgotten Faces offers a surprisingly detailed look into our history. The text is easily read. Although the portraits are the heart of the book, the author's descriptions and insights enliven the images.
I was impressed by the breadth of knowledge about the portraits. Questions I had while reading were often answered in a following chapter. The book is a pleasantly thorough treatment of a little known area of our history.
This book has left me with a new outlook on memorials in general and with a hope that around the country further research into these memorial portraits will be undertaken.