Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens is the creator of Clooz. Now, Elizabeth, or Liz, as she is known, and The Studio in Hurricane, Utah have created a new videotape, called "How To Use Clooz." When I first sat down to watch this video, I assumed that the program’s creator would be highly qualified to teach the operation of the software. I soon found that I was correct.

Early in the videotape Liz Kerstens explains how to set up a filing system for keeping track of the photocopies and original documents that you will encounter. Liz is an obvious expert in genealogy filing systems and handles the topic well. Throughout the videotape Liz also keeps referring to the proper method of creating and maintaining paper files.

First, Liz shows how to use the Clooz program to create a research database. She then shows how to enter census records data into the database by using census templates. The program has templates for U.S., Canadian, U.K. and Irish census records although Liz only demonstrates one year in the U.S. censuses. However, all the other census templates are quite similar in operation.

Since the census section is covered first, Liz spends quite a bit of time showing data entry in an almost keystroke-by-keystroke manner. As she moves through the later topics, however, she wisely spends less time on the data entry and focuses on the purpose and use of each section.

After the in-depth coverage of entering census records extracts, Liz moves on to cover entering information about various documents, including birth records, baptisms, marriage records, family Bible records, correspondence, city directories, photographs and more.

Liz also shows how to print reports and to do a "print preview" which generates the same reports but sends output to the computer screen instead of the printer. She then shows how to export data as Microsoft Excel data, ASCII text, Rich Text Format, and also as HTML files for use on the World Wide Web. Liz also shows two methods of entering data: either by manually typing the data or by importing records from a GEDCOM file.

Ms. Kerstens wraps up the videotape by showing how to use Clooz reports in your genealogy research. She shows examples of how to print out specific reports in advance of research to a county courthouse or other repository. You can enter the courthouse armed with information about the documents you already possess, along with many details about each person you seek. You can then focus your efforts on documents you have not found previously. Liz walks the viewer through the generation of several useful reports.

"How to Use Clooz" is a good example of training videotapes created by the best expert available: the originator of the program.

If you already have purchased Clooz and have not yet put the program to use, this videotape will help you learn its proper operation. Likewise, if you have not yet purchased the program and are wondering what it will do for you, this videotape will help you evaluate Clooz. Keep in mind that the videotape seems to be aimed at the Clooz newcomer; if you are presently using Clooz and are already comfortable with it, you probably won’t find much on the videotape to help increase your knowledge.

The "How to Use Clooz" videotape retails for $14.95 U.S. funds plus shipping. You can find more information about it and even order the video online via a secure Web server at: http://www.123genealogy.com

The Clooz program is available from http://www.clooz.com