Book Review and Author Interview: Genealogy Methods and Techniques: A Practical Guide to Research by Dr Karen Cummings
Genealogy Methods and Techniques: A Practical Guide to Research by Dr Karen Cummings (Crowood Press, 2026)
At the turn of the millennium, I regularly trekked to the Family Records Centre in Islington to pore over census microfilms and wrestle hefty GRO index books from awkward shelves. This Christmas, at a party in Scotland, a conversation about family history led me to pull up the same information on my smartphone in seconds.
That contrast says it all. Genealogy has changed dramatically, and this book reflects that shift. It offers a clear guide to modern research methods for both beginners and more experienced family historians.
While fully aware of technological advancements, Karen is careful to emphasise the importance of offline methodology. She encourages readers to think critically about which sources might answer their research questions before “jumping onto the internet.”
The chapters cover a comprehensive range of topics, including: laying and checking the foundations; getting organised; evaluating evidence; writing effectively; developing good search techniques; research planning; pulling it all together; genealogy standards and problem-solving; DNA testing; and reflections on where the field stands today.
Overall, this book deserves a place on every beginner’s shelf and is strongly recommended for serious or professional genealogists aiming to work at a high level, particularly when it comes to organisation and methodological rigour.
Interview with Dr Karen Cummings
What was your background before writing this book?
I started my career in the pharmaceutical industry as a registered Pharmacist with a PhD in pharmaceutical development. Like many people, I started looking into my own family history and was soon “bitten by the bug”, and it became a passion. I decided to take qualifications in genealogy to build my skills and prove to myself that it was something I could do professionally. I’ve now been working as a professional genealogist for over 15 years.
What inspired you to write Genealogy Methods and Techniques?
I’ve always been interested in the “how” of researching as much as “where” to look, possibly a result of a background in scientific research. I quickly realised that there was very little written on this topic, particularly using examples from England and Wales, and I wanted to help others get the most out of their research and be more confident in their family tree.
Who did you write this book for?
Everyone! Much of the current writing on genealogy research methods is aimed at professionals working to published standards, but I wanted everyone to be able to get the most from their research. So you can read this book when you are getting started, when you have been doing your own research for decades, or when you have been working as a professional genealogist, and still find tips and tricks to guide you.
What do you hope readers will do differently in their research after reading the book?
One of the common issues I encounter is family historians saying they wish they were more organised in their approach, in how they store their research and in their note-taking, wasting time each time they have an opportunity to do some research, trying to work out where they had got to and what comes next. I’m hoping readers will be able to get more organised and adopt a more methodical approach, which ultimately saves them time, so they can get on with more exciting new research. I also hope I can help them build confidence in their research and their ability to tackle research hurdles.
What are your future plans?
This is the book I have always wanted to write, though there may be some ideas starting to form about other writing projects in the future. I will definitely be writing more articles on methods. Perhaps something on DNA, too?
Dr Karen Cummings is a qualified and accredited professional genealogist and tutor, with many years of family history research experience. She is the owner of Pharos Tutors, the UK’s leading provider of online family history courses, and is a long-standing Member of the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA), where she has served on both the Council and the Board of Assessors. Formerly a registered pharmacist, Karen brings a scientific background to her specialist areas of genealogical research methodology and the use of DNA testing in family history.
