Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 210
•
Trim: 5½ x 8½
978-1-5381-2742-1 • Hardback • September 2019 • $34.00 • (£26.00)
978-1-5381-2743-8 • eBook • September 2019 • $32.00 • (£25.00)
Steve Anderson retired in 2016 after working for more than 26 years for FamilySearch,
International, one of the largest online family history sites in the world. The last 5 years of his work with FamilySearch, he moved to the newly formed marketing division of FamilySearch International and worked as the FamilySearch blogger, writing hundreds of articles focusing on a large variety of family history topics, including how to use genetic tools to expand the story of one’s family. Steve has given presentations at family history conferences for more than 15 years. He has given presentations focusing on using DNA tests and other genetic tools to do family history research, including a case study presentation about his own family story. He has also presented on the ethics of using DNA as a family history research tool. He has been invited on two different occasions to present his story on the syndicated radio show and podcast, Extreme Genes, hosted by Scott Fisher. Well known writer, A. J. Jacobs interviewed Steve and used his story in his latest book, It’s All Relative (Chapter 20). Steve has published a collection of oral histories for the Lindon City Historical Society. He’s also written several articles for various national and international magazines on how to do family history research and oral histories, as well as 300+ blog articles for the FamilySearch blog.
Acknowledgments
SECTION 1: THE STORIES
1 My Family
2 The Stories
3 Creating the Standard
4 Surprise! Dealing with the Results
5 Finding the Answers
6 Adding Clarity to the Picture
SECTION 2: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
7 Questions and Answers
8 Where to from Here?
Family Tree
Notes
About the Author
I’ve spent well over 35 years reading genealogy-related books and articles. A Broken Tree, by Steve Anderson, is the most fascinating “read” of my entire career. It would be trite and understated to say that it reads like a novel. The book is beyond that. The words pull you in and dare you to read more, as every paragraph makes this family’s story one that the reader must see through to the end. This story couldn’t have been written a decade ago. The advent and social acceptance of inexpensive DNA testing by millions of individuals allows family history to expand beyond the traditional nuclear family to include those whom we would never have considered in times past. This is a must-read book for anyone interested in family history, DNA testing, and a good scandal. I doubt that many families could top this one.
— Leland Meitzler, GenealogyBlog.com
“A Broken Tree” offers the reader a glimpse into the emotional impact family secrets have on innocent children, even when they are already strong, secure adults. This story offers the humanity of the situation, offering an intimate glimpse into the life of the author and his family. My hope is that with this story, our society’s culture will change with respect to family secrecy and the walls will disintegrate leaving families no other option than to be transparent and honest and truthful – especially when it comes to one’s own identity and self-worth. Anderson offers us the beauty of the human spirit shining through adversity. Bravo!
— Catherine St Clair, President, NPE Friends Fellowship, Inc.