The Family Tree Guide to Finding Your Ellis Island Ancestors (2005)

The Family Tree Resource Book for Genealogists (2004) (co-edited with Erin Nevius)

The Family Tree Guide to Finding Your Ellis Island Ancestors (2005)

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover how to successfully find your Ellis Island ancestors in the database online and in microfilmed passenger lists. Learn what basic information you need to know about your ancestors to begin your search for Ellis Island arrivals, how passengers lists were created and what information they contain, discover tips and strategies for using the Ellis Island database, how to use microfilmed passenger lists and indexes, and what to do if you’re still coming up empty-handed. And for those who had ancestors who arrived right before the Ellis Island years, a special chapter is devoted to Castle Garden and its arrivals. Also learn what it was like for your ancestors to travel across the ocean and process through Ellis Island. Finally, discover information and photographs of the ships your ancestors traveled on.

Now there is an easy-to-understand guide written for genealogists. In Carmack’s Guide to Copyright & Contracts: A Primer for Genealogists, Writers & Researchers, Sharon DeBartolo Carmack uses her popular, conversational writing style to answer your questions. In simple language, she explains copyright, rights, and publishing agreements and how these apply to genealogists, writers, and researchers. Whether you’re a genealogy hobbyist, genealogical society volunteer or officer, professional genealogist, instructor, writer, librarian, or speaker you need to know something about copyright. You have questions. Carmack’s Guide to Copyright & Contracts has the answers

The Family Tree Resource Book for Genealogists (2004) (co-edited with Erin Nevius)

In one authoritative reference, The Family Tree Resource Book for Genealogists provides all genealogists with the information they need to trace their American roots, including research summaries with maps and timelines, for every U.S. state; detailed county-level data; contact information for Web sites, archives, historical societies, and more; all at a very attractive price of $29.99!

You Can Write Your Family History (2003)

Your ancestors are composed of more than vital records and family group sheets. Behind the names and dates are tales of love, loss, resolve, and sweeping change—of history itself. Their stories are what will make them real to your present-day (and future) relatives, the ones who don’t care about city directories or census records. You don’t have to be a writer to chronicle your ancestors’ lives. You Can Write Your Family History explains exactly what it takes to create a compelling, highly readable, and entirely true story, whether you decide to write a biography, family history narrative, or memoir.

“well-grounded…a robust, vibrant, kaleidoscope of ideas”
—Elizabeth Shown Mills, author of Evidence! and Isle of Canes

“Step by step Sharon Carmack shows how to turn names and dates into real human beings for a family history. Anyone who has ever had thoughts about writing a family history will want to have this book to refer to again and again.”
—Henry B. Hoff, Editor, The New England Historical and Genealogical Register

Italians in Transition: The Vallarelli Family of Terlizzi, Italy, and Westchester County, New York and The DeBartolo Family of Terlizzi, Italy, New York, and San Francisco, California (2003)

In Italy, the Vallarellis and DeBartolos were contadini, peasant farmers, for several generations. The families lived in the ancient town of Terlizzi, about eighteen miles from the port city of Bari, in the heel of the “boot.” Without doubt, both shared similar lifestyles. Once later generations from these families headed to America, one branch of the Vallarelli family settled in Harrison, New York, a quiet little suburban town in Westchester County, where they purchased a house. The DeBartolos, however, moved frequently, living in tenement apartments in New York City, Boston, and eventually buying their own home in San Francisco, California. Italians in Transition shows how the lives of the Vallarelli and DeBartolo generations changed—or stayed the same—as a result of immigration, and it is illustrative of many Italian families who came to this country. The book is divided into two parts: The first part is a nonfiction narrative and the second contains the genealogical summaries.

Your Guide to Cemetery Research (2002)

Your Guide to Cemetery Research illuminates the fascinating practice of cemetery research, from determining an ancestor’s final resting place to decoding mysterious headstone symbols. You’ll learn how cemeteries can help fill the holes in your family history research. You’ll gain a comprehensive overview of American burial customs, attitudes toward death, and funeral rites for a variety of ethnic and religious groups. Also included are dozens of helpful sidebars and appendixes that examine gravestone art, symbols, and emblems; plus a medical glossary of causes of death and a historical time line of deadly diseases and epidemics. It’s all you need to dig up the family history facts you’ve been looking for.

“…the most comprehensive book to date helping genealogists get the most out of cemeteries…at the same time celebrating their art, history, and beauty. Well worth the buy.”
—Steve Johnson, Interment.net

“Sharon’s spirit and passion for her work permeate this book…thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining, and informative!”
—Catherine Beauvais, co-founder of TheFuneralDirectory.com

“Highly informative, covering a number of areas in great detail, and offering information otherwise not found in genealogy resources today.”
—William Spurlock, SavingGraves.com

My Wild Irish Rose: The Life of Rose (Norris) (O’Connor) Fitzhugh and her mother Delia (Gordon) Norris (2001)

My Wild Irish Rose tells not only the lives of specific women, it is also the story of many Irish immigrant women and their daughters in America. Thousands of Irish women left their homeland in the nineteenth century—alone and without male companions—to seek a better life in America. Once here, although they might have improved their physical living conditions, other problems greeted them. From national events, such as the depression and world wars, to personal sufferings, such as domestic violence, suicide, depression, mental illness, tuberculosis, and alcoholism, Rose and her family’s story is not without its thorns. Yet like many women, Rose and her mother illustrate a resiliency and ability to be strong heads of their own households.

“Sharon Carmack has woven a rich account of the lives of these two women…. When compared to the first section, the genealogical summary seems strikingly dry, and this only serves to underscore the narrative enrichments made possible by Carmack’s incorporation of the socio-historical background…. beautifully researched and written….”
—The American Genealogist

“Carmack not only has proved that we as family historians can discuss the good times our families had, but she has also opened the door to discuss the not-so-nice side that all families possess. If you’re looking for a model for writing your own family history, I would recommend this work.”
—Dwight A. Radford, co-author, A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Irish Ancestors

A Genealogist’s Guide to Discovering Your Immigrant and Ethnic Ancestors (2000)

Do you have a diverse cultural background, with a mixture of different ethnic groups? Uncovering where your ancestors came from as well as how and when they arrived in America can be a challenge. But whether your ancestors arrived in 1900, 1600, or were here to greet the rest, learn methods and sources for researching your ethnic ancestors. Divided into three parts, A Genealogist’s Guide to Discovering Your Immigrant and Ethnic Ancestors will show you how to get started on your search, how to focus your search using profiles of forty-two distinct ethnic groups, including American Indians and African Americans, and how to leave a written legacy of your unique heritage.

“Carmack’s suggestions for learning more about one’s own family through foods, customs, heirlooms, and stories are as valuable as her tips for conducting oral history interviews and handling family ‘myths.’”
—Federation of Genealogical Societies’ Forum

Organizing Your Family History Search (A Book of the Month Club selection) (1999)

Save time, money, and space as you learn how to organize everything from filing cabinets to research trips. Whether you have a whole room dedicated to your family history search or just a few storage boxes, you’ll find a system that puts information right at your fingertips.

“This book will provide comfort to those who shudder at the mounds of paper involved in a genealogical search. Carmack’s solutions are inventive and flexible enough to fit any researcher. This very useful source is highly recommended.”
—Library Journal

“Sharon DeBartolo Carmack’s newest book...is the answer to a researcher’s prayers. Everyone can benefit from the organizational tips offered by professionals that are interspersed throughout the book. As delightful to read as it is helpful.…”
—Branches & Twigs

A Genealogist’s Guide to Discovering Your Female Ancestors (1998)

Our foremothers are just as important to our family history as our forefathers. After all, half of your ancestors were women! By using the valuable research techniques and sources in this book, you’ll be able to uncover historical facts, personal accounts and recorded events that form an intriguing narrative biography of the women in your ancestry.

“At last! This is the first guide to focus on the special strategies needed to track down your elusive female ancestors. Sharon DeBartolo Carmack has written an outstanding book. It is required reading!”
—New England Historic Genealogical Society

“Until now, no guide was devoted solely to finding information about the women. This important book fills that void.”
— National Genealogical Society Quarterly

Italian-American Family History: A Guide to Researching and Writing About Your Heritage (1997)

Italian Americans have customs, folkways, beliefs, and behaviors that are unique to their culture. By familiarizing yourself with this culture, you increase your chances of successfully researching your Italian ancestors. This book enables you to evaluate American records for information specific to Italian-American research, to appreciate the importance of Italian-American cultural perspective, and to write a readable and interesting family narrative.

“The examples of blending social, oral, and family history can benefit all, regardless of the ethnic background.”
—Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine

“Italian-American Family History should have a general appeal, and should not be overlooked because it bears the term ‘Italian-American’ in the title. The information it contains, and the author’s insights and techniques, apply to all ethnic groups.”
—New England Historical and Genealogical Register

The Genealogy Sourcebook (1997)

Though it can be as casual or as diligent as you wish, genealogy involves documented research through letters, books, periodicals, personal interviews, and other records. The Genealogy Sourcebook provides information on the numerous genealogical, lineage, family associations, and ethnic societies that can help in the search for your ancestors. In this how-to guidebook, there are case studies to demonstrate how all this research can be organized and how to overcome brick walls in your search.

“Carmack delivers a friendly and informed guide that can help both the beginning and experienced genealogist.”
—Library Journal

“This book encourages attention to detail, the need for a solid and practical research plan, and the careful recording and evaluation of discovered information.”
—Ancestry magazine