Family Locket

RLP 404: RootsTech 2026 Class Takeaways

This episode features listener takeaways from the recent RootsTech 2026 conference. Diana discusses the overall positive impressions of the event, noting the high quality of the presentations and the unanimous message about disclosing the use of AI and double-checking its work. Nicole and Diana review several classes on AI, including transforming family history into song, understanding AI’s role in archival stewardship, and mastering the basics of AI for genealogy. They share lessons on using AI […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer April 6, 2026 Podcast

A Visual Tagging System for DNA Matches

We’re excited to share this guest blog post by Jon Smith – a member of our Research Like a Pro Study Group. Overview A genealogist who applies a visual and numbering tagging system to DNA matches gains a powerful tool for organizing and interpreting genetic data across multiple testing platforms. This system uses color coding and numerical labels to map each DNA match to a specific ancestral line, enabling faster analysis and more reliable conclusions. […]

By Jon Smith April 2, 2026 DNA, DNA Tools, Research Tips

RLP 403: Transforming Court Records Research with AI – Analyzing

Diana and Nicole discuss the analysis phase of their AI-assisted research into the 18th-century court orders between Samuel Daniel and the Roystons in Colonial Virginia. They explain how AI helps them understand complex legal terms like “imparlance,” “covenant,” “trespass upon the case,” and “replevin bond” within the context of the court cases. Going through a case-by-case analysis, they trace the legal strategy that began after apprentice John Royston ran away from Samuel Daniel in 1770. […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer March 30, 2026 Podcast

RLP 402: Transforming Court Records Research with AI: Finding and Logging

In this episode, Transforming Court Records Research with AI: Finding and Logging, Diana and Nicole discuss how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the challenging process of working with historical court records. Diana introduces the topic by explaining that while court records are treasure troves of genealogical information, they are often unindexed and difficult to read, featuring archaic legal terminology. She presents a case study of her research to identify Samuel Daniel of Middlesex County, Virginia. She […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer March 23, 2026 Podcast

Branching Out: Using Your Genealogy Software to Manage Your Research

Diana and Nicole have been trailblazers in the use of Airtable to document the Research Like a Pro process. But did you know that your desktop genealogy software could also be a powerful tool for organizing and capturing the RLP steps as well? In this post, I’ll share how I’ve adapted the features of RootsMagic to support and advance my research. Note: I’m currently using the most recent version (RM11) but previous versions may also […]

By Michelle Dickens March 22, 2026 Organizing, Research Like a Pro, Research Tips

RLP 401: Airtable Research Log Updates for 2026

In this episode of Research Like a Pro, Diana and Nicole discuss the all-new Version 4.2 (2026) of the Research Like a Pro with DNA Airtable Research Log. The updates are designed to streamline the genetic genealogy workflow, making DNA research more flexible and reducing duplicate data entry. Diana details the biggest change: the “Test-taker” and “DNA Match” fields in the DNA Match Details table are renamed to “Person 1 (P1)” and “Person 2 (P2).” […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer March 16, 2026 Podcast

Negative Search Results vs. Negative Evidence: When Nothing Found Means Something

This blog post was written with the assistance of AI based on my presentation slides and syllabus uploaded to Claude 4.6 Sonnet. You have spent hours searching. You have checked every database, browsed every microfilm reel, and scoured every index you can find — and still, nothing. No marriage record. No probate file. No deed. Before you close the research log in frustration, consider this: that empty-handed search may be exactly the evidence you need. […]

By Diana Elder March 15, 2026 Research Tips

RLP 400: From Searcher to Researcher: Listener Takeaways from 400 Episodes

In this celebratory episode of the Research Like a Pro podcast, Diana and Nicole highlight the incredible impact the RLP process has had on their listeners by sharing several inspiring success stories. They read comments from researchers, one of whom explains how the RLP workflows help them conquer imposter syndrome, and another who shares a journey from feeling overwhelmed as a beginner to pursuing accreditation. Multiple individuals note that the RLP method turned them from […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer March 9, 2026 Podcast

AI Handwritten Text Recognition Tools at the RootsTech Expo Hall

At RootsTech, someone I spoke with mentioned choosing a theme ahead of time to help narrow down classes and Expo hall experiences — what a great idea! Her focus was DNA and AI. Looking back, mine was clearly AI Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) tools, which happened to be the topic of the class I taught in person and the common thread running through all the booths I visited. (Last year, in 2025, I taught about this […]