A family history traces the compelling story of Michelle Obama's ancestors, covering a journey from slavery to the White House in five generations that bears witness to the changes in the nation.

Presents ideas and tips for overcoming common obstacles researching genealogies, including advice on how to find records before civil registration, using censuses, and advanced court records.

" ... provides updated county and town listings within the same overall state-by-state organization ... information on records and holdings for every county in the United States, as well as excellent maps from renowned mapmaker William Dollarhide ... The availability of census records such as federal, state, and territorial census reports is covered in detail ... Vital records are also discussed, including when and where they were kept and how"--Publisher...