Family Locket

Using a Research Log in a DNA Research Project

Have you discovered the value of using a research log? If not, you might want to experiment with using one for your next research project. Fine tuning a research log that worked for me was a major benefit of the accreditation process. When I started adding DNA as evidence in my research, I needed to tweak the log to reflect my correspondence with my DNA matches, I've shared each step of my DNA research project to prove Benjamin Cox as the father of Rachel Cox and linked to those articles below. Now it's time to reveal my research plan and...

By Diana Elder October 16, 2019 DNA, Research Tips No Comments

RLP 66: Tax Records Part 2 – Types of Tax Records

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about U.S. tax records and the various types you might encounter. Each state decided how to tax their citizens a little differently. Colonial Virginia had tithables and quitrents. Later, these were replaced with poll taxes. Most tax records fall into three categories, which we discuss - poll, real property, and personal property. Nicole shares how poll taxes in North Carolina help determine the ages of John Johnson's sons and separate him from other men of the same name. We also discuss a combined tax record on a preprinted tax form in Cass...

By Nicole Dyer October 14, 2019 Podcast No Comments

DNA Research Logs: How to Keep Track of Genetic Genealogy Searches

When working on a case involving DNA test results, it may feel like you look at hundreds of DNA match pages, reports, family trees, and shared match lists each time you sit down to research. Do you want a better way to keep track of all the sources you consult in a DNA research project? It's time to take your research log to the next level. In the Research Like a Pro with DNA series, we've talked about several steps for undertaking a focused research project about a specific research subject. Now we are ready to discuss step 9 -...

By Nicole Dyer October 11, 2019 DNA, Research Tips 2 Comments

Quick and Easy Family History Gift Ideas

I used to work in the quilting industry. It was always fun to be a part of the heightened flurry of activity that began about this time of year as our customers hurried to complete quilts and other handmade gifts for loved ones in time for the holidays. As a genealogist, I have that same desire to share what I am passionate about with those around me in meaningful ways. The upcoming holiday season provides the opportunity to do just that. What family history related gifts will you be giving this year? Here are a few quick and easy gift...

By Alice Childs October 9, 2019 Crafts and Projects, Creating and Sharing Family History, Sharing Stories No Comments

RLP 65 – Tax Records Part 1 – How to Use Tax Records

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about using tax records to solve genealogy research questions. This is the first of a three part series about tax records. Our examples are from U.S. research, but most countries tax their citizens, and the same general principles apply to researching there as well. In this part of the series, we tell you about three steps for extracting information from tax records, putting the data in a research log, correlating the data in a table, and then writing a summary of your conclusions. Diana solved a case about three generations of the...

By Nicole Dyer October 7, 2019 Podcast No Comments

Shaking the Family Tree: Blue Bloods, Black Sheep, and Other Obsessions of an Accidental Genealogist – An Interview with author Buzzy Jackson

Do you ever feel like you're the only genealogist in your circle of family and friends? If so, a dose of Buzzy Jackson and her book, Shaking the Family Tree: Blue Bloods, Black Sheep, and Other Obsessions of an Accidental Genealogist might be what you need. Reading about her adventures in the genealogy world will have you chuckling and commiserating at the same time. This post contains affiliate links. If you click the link and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Thank you for your support! Shaking the Family Tree is our fall selection for the Family Locket Book Club on...

By Diana Elder October 2, 2019 Book Club No Comments

How Contacting DNA Matches Helped Me With My Traditional Genealogy Research

I am new to genetic genealogy. I began to realize several months ago that I needed to add DNA research to my list of skills, so I purchased Ancestry DNA kits for myself and my husband at RootsTech in February. I received my results and didn't really know what I should do next, so I started reading the articles about DNA right here at Family Locket and listening to all of the Research Like a Pro podcasts about DNA research. I recently joined the Research Like a Pro with DNA Study Group, and it has been fantastic so far! Part...

By Alice Childs October 1, 2019 DNA No Comments

RLP 64: Finding Jeanie’s Father with DNA Case Study – Interview with Hazel Scullin

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is an interview with Hazel Scullin, who solved an unknown parentage case in her family using DNA. Hazel is a recent graduate of Brigham Young University with a BA in Family History. She walks us through the steps she used to come to a conclusion about the father of her grandmother, Jeanie. Jeanie was born in Salt Lake City in 1943, and her biological mother was from San Diego. Using traditional genealogy research and DNA evidence, Hazel found Jeanie's father. Listen in to find out how! Links Hazel's Twitter https://twitter.com/HazelNutTreeGen Hazel's Email: hazelskyscullin@gmail.com ...

By Nicole Dyer September 30, 2019 Podcast 1 Comment

Finding Jeanie’s Father with DNA: Epilogue

This series is about how I found my grandmother's father with DNA. To read the other posts in the series, click below: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 For many people working on genealogical projects for adoptees, connecting with the biological family is the end goal. You never know how people will react to this kind of news, but it's hard not to get excited about the possibilities of a relationship. After I connected with some members of my grandma's biological family via Facebook, they quickly welcomed us to their family. They were so excited to...

By Hazel Scullin September 28, 2019 DNA No Comments

Family History & Getting Things Done Part 3: Organization

Are you ready to get your family history and genealogy papers and processes organized? Those stacks of file folders, documents, and lists of to-do items aren't going to help you make progress in your research until you have an organizational method that works for you. If you don't know where to start, I have some ideas to help you! This article is part three in my series on applying concepts from David Allen's book Getting Things done: the art of stress-free productivity to my personal family history projects. Previously I wrote about capturing all of our projects in my article: Family...