Nicole Elder Dyer

About Nicole Elder Dyer

Nicole Dyer is a professional genealogist specializing in Southern United States research and genetic genealogy. She is the creator of FamilyLocket.com and the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast. She co-authored Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide and Research Like a Pro with DNA and is an instructor for the study groups of the same name. She lectures at conferences and institutes and previously served as the secretary and publicity chair of the Pima County Genealogy Society. Nicole holds a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in History Teaching. At Family Locket Genealogists, Nicole is a project manager, editor, and researcher.

RLP 193 : Five Takeaways From the DNA Proof Arguments SLIG Course

Mar 21, 2022

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about what Nicole learned at the SLIG course, DNA Dreamers in Action: Writing Proof Arguments in January. Karen Stanbary coordinated the course and was assisted by Tom Jones, Nancy Peters, and Scott Wilds. The course was a chance to practice writing a DNA proof argument while learning essential skills. Peer review was included as part of the course as well. Join Diana and Nicole as they discuss...

RLP 192: SLIG Accreditation Course

Mar 14, 2022

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about Diana’s SLIG course – Becoming an Accredited Genealogist: The Why, What, and How. She coordinated the course along with Lisa Stokes and shares all the details about how they came up with the course and how it went. Join us to learn some great study techniques you can try for yourself as you prepare to become a better researcher or seek a credential. Transcript Nicole (1s):...

RLP 191: Preparing for the 1950 U.S. Census Release

Mar 7, 2022

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the 1950 census that will be released on April 1, 2022. Diana shares an example of finding the enumeration district (ED) of her grandparents in Cassia County, Idaho. We review the information that can be found on the 1950 census and discuss indexing efforts. Join us as we discuss how to prepare for this census release! Transcript Nicole (1s): This is Research Like a Pro episode...

RLP 190: Revisiting Report Writing Again

Feb 28, 2022

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to write a research report at the end of a research project. This is an underused skill and many of us need to practice! The benefits of report writing far outweigh the challenges. This is a replay of episode 119 with new commentary at the beginning. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is episode 190 revisiting report writing Again. Welcome to Research Like a Pro a Genealogy...

If I know how a DNA match is related, do I still need to contact them?

Feb 25, 2022

Today we have the following question from a Research Like a Pro with DNA study group member: If you already know the relationship to a match, is there any other reason to contact that match? Yes, there are many reasons to contact your DNA matches, from verifying their tree, to asking them to share their matches with you. As you establish communication with them, it opens the door for further collaboration. When you need to...

Should I sort my 23andMe matches by percent or strength of relationship?

Feb 24, 2022

Today I am answering a new question for our Research Like a Pro with DNA Q&A series: “Should I sort my 23andMe matches by percent or strength of relationship?” The RLP with DNA study group member asked this question during assignment 1, which includes sorting DNA matches into color clusters using the Leeds Method. The full question is: How does 23&Me determine “Strength of Relationship?” Is this a more valuable sorting mechanism to use for...

What is the significance of the first cluster in an AutoCluster or Collins Leeds Method chart?

Feb 23, 2022

We are starting a new series called Research Like a Pro with DNA Q&A. Study group and eCourse members ask questions, and we answer them with a short video. Today, the question is: “what is the significance of the first cluster in an AutoCluster or Collins Leeds Method chart?” I answer the question by showing an example of a MyHeritage AutoCluster chart where the clusters are ordered by size (number of matches in the...

RLP 189: Revisiting Research Logs Again

Feb 21, 2022

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to use a genealogy research log. As you follow this step in the RLP process, you’ll add links and citations to your log to help you stay organized and keep track of what you did. This is a replay of episode 118 with new commentary about Airtable. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is episode 189, Revisiting Research Logs Again. Welcome to Research Like a Pro a...

RLP 188: Revisiting Source Citations Again

Feb 14, 2022

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to make clear source citations. This is a replay of episode 117 with new commentary at the beginning. Diana shares her Nancy Briscoe project and how she created citations using the five elements of a citation. We also talk about the value of citation templates that help you be more efficient. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is Research Like a Pro episode 188 Revisiting Source Citations...

RLP 187: Revisiting Research Planning Again

Feb 7, 2022

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about creating a research plan. This is a replay of episode 116, with commentary at the beginning and end. We discuss Diana’s plan to research Nancy Briscoe’s early life and the historical context of the time period. Join us as we discuss how to make an effective research plan and share Diana’s example. We also discuss research planning and client work. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is episode...