FEATURES

No Purchase Necessary Hungry for family history freebies? You'll eat up these 87 great genealogy giveaways. By David A. Fryxell That's So Last Century Dating 20th-century photos is a snap when you keep these six strategies in focus. Plus: Put your photo detective skills to the test. By Maureen A. Taylor Homeward Bound Does the prospect of planning an overseas research trip seem, well, foreign? Here's your ticket to a successful trek to the old country. Plus: Seven ways to curb your travel costs. By Sharon DeBartolo Carmack State Research Guides Trace your ancestors across the USA! This issue's special pullout section features how-to articles and resource sheets for: Illinois South Carolina Stash these guides in your research binder or tote them to the library—and quickly find the essential facts, advice and resources you need to trace your family tree anywhere in the country. Secret Quest You don't need to be Indiana Jones to dig up a Holy Grail of free family history records. We'll show you the secrets to mining HeritageQuest Online. By Rick Crume Tour de New France Stop spinning your wheels•it's easy riding to your French Canadian roots with our roundup of resources and advice. By Maureen A. Taylor

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS

Out on a Limb A tombstone-cleaning method gets creamed. By Allison Stacy Making Connections Readers respond to Family Tree Magazine. Branching Out What's new in discovering, preserving and celebrating your family history, including: • Reality TV meets genealogy • Ancestry.com goes Canadian • Family History Library raises film fees • The nation's head archivist hits the pedigree podium. By Diane Haddad Living History The best events for springing into the past, including: • A huge helping of heritage in California • Labor days in Washington, DC • Montana's historical gold mine. By Dana Schmidt Now What? Don't get caught off garde: Our gurus answer your inquiries about Prussian protectors and nursing-home records. Everything's Relative Hilarious headstones and more from the lighter side of family history. Photo Detective Unhitching clues in wedding pics. By Maureen A. Taylor Preserving Memories Introducing our Creative Family Trees Contest winners. By Diane Haddad The Toolkit What's the fastest way to sift through 250,000 family history links? Bet on these three Cyndi's List tricks. Plus: • A genealogist's guide to Wi-Fi • Swedish records Web site SVAR reviewed • The latest chapters in the Civil War. Edited by Dana Schmidt Time Capsule Ronald Reagan's daughter describes how innocence, optimism and the American dream shaped her dad's character. By Patti Davis