Family Locket

Where in the World Has My DNA Gone? DNA and Locality Research

Even if you don't like to travel, your DNA has been places! There are myriad places where our countless ancestors lived over the course of time. Many of these ancestors passed their DNA on to us. We each have a multitude of DNA segments that can be traced back to specific ancestors or ancestral couples. An exciting aspect of DNA research is that it can help us learn where our ancestors came from, and where they settled. As you use DNA information in conjunction with sound genealogical research, you will learn about the travels of your DNA segments and the...

By Robin Wirthlin May 24, 2019 Research Tips No Comments

Source, Information, and Evidence Analysis for a DNA Research Project

Are you hoping to use your DNA test results to break down a long-standing brick wall in your family tree? What are the steps you need to take? I'm using the Research Like a Pro process combined with DNA to tackle one of my mysteries and sharing my experience here. The first step in the research process is to create an objective based on your research question. In Creating an Objective for a DNA Research Project, I explain why I chose my brick wall ancestor, Rachel Cox, and how I formulated an objective. The objective of this research project is...

By Diana Elder May 23, 2019 DNA, Research Tips 2 Comments

RLP 45 – Three Reasons to Revisit Your Research

In our podcast episode today, Diana and I discuss why you might want to go back to research that you did in the past and check it again. There are three specific reasons why we suggest doing this, which we talk about in this episode. Hint hint - you'll discover more things as more records become available and online! Links 3 Reasons to Revisit Your Research - blog post by Diana How to Research Like a Pro in 30 Minutes a Day - webinar replay Research Like a Pro eCourse - $99 sale ends May 22. Research Like a Pro:...

By Nicole Dyer May 20, 2019 Podcast No Comments

Back to the Basics: Cemetery Records Part 1

Memorial Day and summer are approaching and you may be getting ready to do some hands-on cemetery research. If you're not able to visit a cemetery in person right now, can you still do cemetery research? What are the basics that you need to know? In Part 1 of this series we'll cover the types of U.S. cemeteries and strategies for locating a cemetery for your ancestor. Why Cemetery Research Why should you explore cemetery records? Often a cemetery record might be the only mention of a child who was born and died in between census years. It could also...

By Diana Elder May 16, 2019 Research Tips 2 Comments

RLP 44 – How to Know Which Record to Search First

In our podcast episode today, Diana and I discuss the last element of research planning - making a prioritized list. During this part of research planning, you choose what to search first. Many people wonder how to know which record is the best to search first. We answer that question in today's podcast. Links Research Like a Pro eCourse - on sale beginning May 8! $99. Sale ends May 22. How to Research Like a Pro in 30 Minutes a Day - webinar replay available until May 22. Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide by Diana Elder with Nicole...

By Nicole Dyer May 13, 2019 Podcast No Comments

Using Ordinances Ready to Discover New Research Opportunities

In the Fall of 2018 FamilySearch introduced a feature for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints called Ordinances Ready. Ordinances Ready is designed to help church members complete temple work that has already been shared with the temple system by other members around the world. Ordinances Ready works by searching up your tree for 15 generations, then searching back down the tree. Simply stated, Ordinances Ready performs automated descendancy research, finding ordinances in need of completion for people who are related to you. It is an amazing program that facilitates extended family members helping one another...

By Alice Childs May 12, 2019 LDS Family History 2 Comments

DNA Sources, Information, and Evidence: Sorting it All Out

Sources play a vital role in genealogical research, and the quality and quantity of sources matter. Elizabeth Shown Mills, a renowned genealogical expert explains, “Sources give us information from which we select evidence for analysis. A sound conclusion may be considered proof.”[1] Part of the Research Like a Pro process is to “Dig out your papers and locate the sources on the FamilySearch Family Tree or other online trees that pertain to your ancestor. When you’ve gathered all the source documents, a thorough analysis of each and the information found within can clarify what you know and point you to...

By Robin Wirthlin May 11, 2019 DNA, Research Tips 2 Comments

RLP 43: Create a Genealogy Reference Center with Evernote

In our podcast episode today, Diana and I discuss how to create a genealogy reference center in Evernote. Do you have stacks of handouts from genealogy conferences and classes? What are you doing with that blog post or online article you know you’ll need in the future? Can you quickly find reference information that you saved from a lecture? Knowing how to access these items can help you become more efficient in your genealogy research. Diana shares the strategies she uses. Listen to find out if she convinces Nicole to start using Evernote more often. Links Register for our free...

By Nicole Dyer May 6, 2019 Podcast 2 Comments

Creating an Objective for a DNA Research Project

Are you wondering how to blend DNA and traditional genealogy research? Have you been thinking you'd like to try a DNA project to solve a brick wall or prove a conclusion in your research? With my southern U.S. heritage, I have a lot of empty spaces on my pedigree chart. These brick wall ancestors are brick walls for a reason. Records connecting them to parents haven't been discovered and may not exist. I've used indirect evidence to hypothesize parents for these ancestors and with the advent of DNA, I can make even more conclusions. But how to go about it?...