The Google search engine is available in more than 160 countries and is free to use, for genealogy or anything else Internet users may be trying to find online. With more than 20 billion pages included in Google’s index of the Internet, it is likely that some of those pages contain clues about anyone’s ancestors, but finding those pages requires an understanding of filtering and other techniques to realize the full value of the free online service.

Mr Lynch’s book, which was published in November 2008, helps online users understand and use dozens of specialized commands to dramatically improve their search skills. Many of those commands can help with the pursuit of family heritage, and most are not only easy to master but are also perfectly suited, says the author, for finding people, places, and events.

The 352-page softcover book can help readers find published works containing information on their ancestors, uncover details of intriguing family photographs, search historic newspaper archives for long-forgotten details, visit ancestral hometowns; translate foreign letters, documents and websites; and even teach Google to search for ancestors while you sleep.

Dan Lynch is a marketing consultant and professional genealogist based in Connecticut. A fourth generation American of Irish and Italian descent, Mr Lynch has enjoyed the many challenges of researching his family history since the late 1970s.

After 15 years in the computer industry, Mr Lynch focused his skills on the emerging online market for genealogy and in 1998 joined Ancestry, Inc as vice president of business development. In 2002, Mr Lynch founded Mattatuck Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in Internet marketing solutions. His clients include The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation in New York; FindMyPast, London; FamilyLink.com Inc, and WorldVitalRecords.com, Utah, as well, as well as other organizations outside the genealogy sector.

Mr Lynch is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), a Life Member of The Connecticut Society of Genealogists where he also served as board member and vice president, and is a frequent lecturer at local and national genealogy conferences.

He has been featured on several television programs, including ABC’s Good Morning America, has published and maintains several popular genealogy websites, and his articles have been published in leading genealogy publications including Internet Genealogy, Family Chronicle, Family Tree Magazine and APG Quarterly.

Newtown Genealogy Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month from September through June and welcomes all interested visitors. For additional information call Harlan Jessup at 270-7887.