Diana Elder – Family Locket

About Diana Elder

Diana Elder AGⓇ AGL is a professional genealogist, author, and speaker. She is accredited in the Gulf South region of the United States through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen). Diana graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Elementary Education and has turned her passion for teaching to educating teens and adults in proven genealogy techniques. Diana is the author of Research Like a Pro: A Genealogists Guide and creator of the “Research Like a Pro” study group. She writes regular articles for FamilyLocket.com, the genealogy website created by her daughter, Nicole Dyer. She presents regularly at genealogy conferences, sharing the methods she uses every day to solve challenging genealogical problems.

Review of Mastering Genealogical Proof, Second Edition by Thomas W. Jones

Oct 4, 2026

One of my favorite genealogical mentors is Thomas W. Jones. I first heard him speak at RootsTech 2016 on source citations and most recently enjoyed his lectures at the National Genealogical Society in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His courses, articles, and books have educated numerous genealogists on sound methodology and standards. I had the privilege of purchasing his latest book, Mastering Genealogical Proof, Second Edition, at the conference he graciously signed it for me. This book is...

From Arkansas to the Texas Frontier: The Life of Hickman Monroe Shults

Sep 27, 2026

After researching an ancestor for years, there is something very fulfilling in finding their last resting place and thinking about their life. As family historians and researchers, we can only know a fraction of a person’s life – based on the records we’ve been able to find. We piece together the story the best we can, but know it’s still only pieces. My paternal ancestors all moved to Texas between 1848 and 1870 from various...

Eleven Newspaper Notices: How Hotel Ads and Sheriff’s Sales Helped Prove Thomas Beverly Royston’s Parentage

Sep 13, 2026

Newspapers contain multiple pieces of information we can use as evidence in our research. Articles add context, provide residence details, can establish relationships, and more. In my recent case study on Thomas Beverly Royston, newspaper articles offered important clues that led to a new research location and provided a plausible answer to a census conundrum. The following was written by Claude Opus 5 High based on a project I created. The project knowledge includes my...

Three Names, Two Households: What Naming Patterns Can and Cannot Prove

Sep 6, 2026

Identifying naming patterns among ancestors and their relatives can be key evidence in proving relationships- but only if the records support it. One of my first research projects was the Royston line. My 2nd great-grandfather, Robert Cisney Royston, had a unique middle name that proved important in tying him to his Alabama and Georgia origins. It also provided the clue that set me on the path that identified the next generation of Roystons. In this...

No Marriage Record, No Problem: Proving the Marriage of John Dawson and Elizabeth “Betsy” Cessna

Aug 30, 2026

When a marriage record cannot be found, how do you connect two individuals in the early years of the 19th century? In researching and writing about Thomas Beverly Royston and his family connections, I discovered more about his half-sister, Elizabeth “Betsy” Cessna. I had seen the name John Dawson connected with the Royston and Cessna records, but it wasn’t until I wrote my case study on Thomas that I finally formed a solid conclusion about...

Tips for Merging Identities on FamilySearch: Angeline or Algeline?

Aug 22, 2026

If you want other researchers to access your research, adding it to the collaborative FamilySearch Family Tree is an excellent idea. Because it is collaborative, you risk someone changing information or even merging identities incorrectly. Inversely, someone may create a duplicate record for a person, resulting in two profiles for the same person. With these challenges, what benefits does FamilySearch provide? First, it is completely free, and you can easily email the URL of a...

Writing a Case Study for Publication: 7 Tips for Success

Aug 8, 2026

One of the best ways to share your research is by writing a case study for publication in a genealogy journal. If it is a peer-reviewed journal, you also benefit from knowing that your research is sound. I recently published my first article in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ) and will share my experience and tips for anyone else interested in publishing. What is a Case Study? Your first question may be, what exactly...

Finding a Father for Cynthia: Phase 5 – Part 5: Report Writing – Analysis & Correlation

Aug 1, 2026

If you have an ancestor who is still a mystery despite years of research, you’ll relate to my Cynthia (Dillard) Royston project. I am currently working on phase 5 as part of the Research Like a Pro with DNA study group. Each phase has focused on a specific objective and has eliminated many Dillard candidates. Eventually, I hope to have one man left standing, whom documentary and DNA evidence point to as Cynthia’s father. In...