In Search of Your Roots: A Guide for Canadians Seeking Their Ancestors. Rev. ed.

Albert Stray is Head of Mobile Library Services at the London Public
Library.

Genealogy continues to fascinate Canadians. Baxter filled a void in 1978
with the first edition of In Search of Your Roots. He followed that with
four similar guides devoted to the genealogical records of specific
regions (i.e., Great Britain, Europe, Germany, and Canada). This current
edition is a third update of the original 1978 volume. Although 38 pages
longer, it is essentially the same book.

Five chapters focus on the genealogical records to be found in Canada,
province by province. Church records tend to be emphasized. The nominal
censuses of 1851-61-71-81-91 are mentioned only briefly; while the 1841
census is of less value, it was omitted entirely.

Several sections are devoted to the genealogical records to be found in
Great Britain and the United States. However, the upcoming release of
the 1891 census of England and Wales was not included. The larger
Western European countries and a few other Commonwealth countries are
also discussed.

Since the last update (in 1984), profound changes have taken place in
Eastern Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union. In the
future it may be possible to access records in these countries.
Baxter’s expanded section on “The Rest of Europe” reflects this to
be the extent possible.

Special collections like those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints and the National Archives in Ottawa are highlighted. The
author concludes the book with a personal anecdote to show what can be
uncovered with patience and perseverance.

Baxter retained the section on the related but separate field of
heraldry. As in the original edition, a table of contents would have
been useful. There is a small key-word index and an extensive
bibliography. The list of foreign libraries and addresses can be useful.

Baxter’s books continue to be essential reference works for anyone
interested in tracing their ancestors whether here or abroad.