F is for ...The Family Historian's Enquire within

 I've been researching my family history for over thirty years. Along this genealogy journey I have been supported by hundreds of books, many of which I have listed on my Librarything page. 

During the 2021 #AtoZChallenge I will be writing about two of my passions, books and family history. I'll be taking a trip down memory lane and revisiting some of those books that have enriched my genealogy experience.

I find it interesting that many Australian researchers with ancestors from the UK and Ireland adopt, as bibles, works on methodology written by Americans for American markets. I tend to look to the Old Countries to buy howto and reference books from experts who live in those areas.

In my personal library I have several books on methodology that are written by British, Scottish and Irish experts. One reference book I refer to regularly is The Family Historian's Enquire within by English genealogist, Janet Few. In her introduction Janet refers to this book as a "Help desk" and this is how I use it. I could use Google to find some of the answers contained in Janet's book but the advantage of this work is that is an authoritative source. Janet knows what she is talking about. 

Arranged in alphabetical order this book gives explanations of  a few words up to a couple of pages for terms we may come across in our research. The 6th edition which I have on my shelves contains much relevant information. I purchased my copy of this book from The Society of Genealogists on a visit to London. It is one of a few Few books on my shelves.

If you don't know about Abraham Men, Feoffees or Water-Gavils this book may be for you.

Pleased with Purchase

A while ago I blogged about a book by Janet Few that I had borrowed from Hornsby Library. I was lucky enough to purchase a copy from SoG on my recent trip to the UK. Having perused this book once more I can confirm that it is an excellent addition to my genealibrary.

I'm buying this one

My local library is beefing up its collection of genealogy books so recently I have been able to try before I buy.

I have been eyeing off The Family Historian's Enquire Within (Sixth Edition) by Janet Few on websites for quite some time, I even had a browse when I was last in England but I didn't purchase it. After perusing the library's copy I have realised that this is a must have reference book for someone with British ancestry.

I've never been averse to sitting down with a dictionary and, while I don't read them from cover to cover,  I enjoy dipping in and out of the pages as I soak up new and interesting words. Over the past ten days I have enjoyed doing this with The Family Historian's Enquire Within . I doubt that much of what I have read will stick but that's ok; it's been an enjoyable exercise. I have been amused to find lots of interesting words set out in an alpahbetical sequence with clear definitions and descriptions. This work is more than a dictionary, some of the entries are only a few lines while some take up a page or two. 

Having browsed the book I have learnt that Scrivener is not just a piece of software I use for writing, Muniments are nothing to do with warfare and Dexter was a dyer.

The book's purpose is "to  point you in the right direction so you can find out more" and it does that admirably. Haaving done a lot of dipping I realise that I need this book on my shelves as a reference book, a place to go when I need to know.

The book retails at £12.95 and is available from several sites in the UK; I could purchase it for $39.95 (plu spostage) in Australia and have it on my doorstep in a few days. I want to get the most bang for my geneabuck so I will buy it on my next overseas trip which is looming. I see that it is in stock at The Society of Genealogists, I hope they still have a copy when I arrive for my visit.