The great strength of this book is the suggestions it offers for further research, many of which you won't have thought about before. At the end of each chapter is a list of questions to pose when looking at particular writings for your forebears. For example, why were they created and who were they for? The book is also full ... Read moreof useful tips such as making comparisons of your ancestors' signatures with people of different ages and genders, and with previous and subsequent generations; this many help to ascertain changes in their lives such as illness and an increase in education. Also, if you ever have to clear out an elderly relative's house, never send their books to a charity shop without looking through them first. The volumes might include handwritten annotations that could tell you more about their thoughts, hopes and dreams in their life. The book also highlights an excellent range of online and offline sources to follow up, and it's well illustrated with examples of personal writings; it's an absorbing and thought-provoking read.
(02/01/2017) It's an absorbing and well-illustrated read, and will be of interest to you whether you're trying to track down your ancestor's written record, or just want to read about our predecessors' attitude towards the written word.
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