Title: Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide
Author: Diana Elder, with Nicole Dyer
Format: Paperback, Kindle
Published: 2018
My Rating: 
The following review first appeared in the Federation of Genealogical Societies FORUM magazine (Summer 2018); reprinted with permission.
If you’re looking for a research process that will keep you on track so you can effectively and efficiently solve genealogical problems, then Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide may be the book for you. Author Diana Elder picked up dozens of tips and best practices while working toward accreditation with the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen™). Those tips and strategies form the solid research process presented in this book.
Written in an easy-to-read, conversational tone, each chapter focuses on one step of the process. Elder uses great examples within the chapters to demonstrate various points and techniques. I’ll admit I do not fully agree with the analysis presented in one of the examples, although I do agree with the conclusion. Also, I found chapter 3, which deals with locality research, to be oddly organized and a bit confusing—nonetheless, there are great ideas and information.
There are four appendixes. One provides two templates, one of which is the Research Project Template that is referred to throughout the book. Another appendix provides full-length work samples, some created by Elder, some created by her daughter Nicole Dyer. These work samples provide different ideas and approaches based on real-world genealogy projects. The final two appendixes are a source list and supplemental material.
Overall, Elder offers great tips throughout the book, and I particularly appreciated the ideas presented in the chapter on writing reports. The process she presents is solid and can be a great help to those who are just getting started with their genealogy research. Advanced researchers can benefit too, since a refresher and different perspective can be helpful for continuing education in this field.
I love the structure this book’s method provides – it works for me, especially after participating in Diana and Nicole’s 14 day RLAP research challenge on Facebook earlier this year.