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 169: IGHR Advanced DNA Evidence Course Part 2

Oct 4, 2021

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is part two of Nicole sharing about her takeaways from “DNA as Genealogical Evidence – Advanced,” an institute course coordinated by Karen Stanbary at IGHR this summer. We discuss targeted testing, coverage, performing and writing about pedigree evaluations, Y-DNA STR testing as a comparative test, finding the most efficient pathway to solve an objective, clustering with Node XL, multi-kit analysis, and overcoming burned counties and pedigree collapse. Transcript...

RootsFinder Network Graphs

Oct 2, 2021

RootsFinder, owned by FindMyPast, is a family tree building and DNA analysis website. The premium level allows the use of DNA features and costs $5 a month. RootsFinder has a DNA feature called the triangulation (cluster) view, which allows you to view your matches in clusters – otherwise known as a network graph. In a network graph, the nodes are DNA matches and the connecting lines are shared match connections. I’m sharing how to view...

RLP 168: IGHR Advanced DNA Evidence Course Part 1

Sep 27, 2021

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about “DNA as Genealogical Evidence – Advanced,” an institute course coordinated by Karen Stanbary at IGHR this summer. IGHR stands for the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, an weeklong intensive study program hosted by the Georgia Genealogy Society. Nicole took the course over the summer and shares some of the golden nuggets she learned from the case studies and other lectures. Join us as we discuss...

RLP 167: FamilyTreeDNA Family Matching and Bucketing

Sep 20, 2021

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about Family Tree DNA’s family matching and bucketing system, which is part of the Family Finder autosomal test. After linking a DNA match to your family tree at their website, the family matching algorithm uses phased matching to assign maternal and paternal icons/buckets to your matches. Adding close matches and up to third cousins helps you take advantage of this helpful tool. Listen in as we discuss...

Takeaways from the IGHR Advanced DNA Evidence Course

Sep 14, 2021

I attended Karen Stanbary’s course, DNA as Genealogical Evidence at the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR) this summer. IGHR is hosted by the Georgia Genealogical Society, and this year, it was virtual. That made it a no-brainer for me to attend! Today I’m sharing some of my takeaways from the course. The instructors included Karen Stanbary, Michael Lacopo, Paul Woodbury, David Rencher, and Kimberly Powell. It was a great group of instructors. Each...

RLP 166: When to Hire a Professional Genealogist

Sep 13, 2021

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about what to do if you have a brick wall genealogy problem that you can’t break down, or if you have a document in another language you need translated. These and other scenarios are perfect times to hire a professional genealogist to assist you with your research. We discuss how to find a genealogist that will fit your research needs, credentials, and tips for working with a...

RLP 165: Becoming a Professional Genealogist and ProGen Study Groups

Sep 6, 2021

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about ProGen Study Groups. This volunteer-led study group is a wonderful way to study with peers for becoming a professional genealogist. Join us as we discuss our experiences with ProGen, the prerequisites for joining, and the benefits. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is Research Like a Pro episode 165 ProGen study groups and becoming a professional genealogist. Nicole (48s): Hello everyone. Welcome to Research Like a Pro Diana...

RLP 164: RLP with DNA eCourse Part 5

Aug 30, 2021

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is our final interview with Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse member, Allison Kotter. In this series, Allison shares her experience studying each lesson in the course and how she has applied the lessons to her own family. This episode covers the assignments for lesson 9 in the course – writing the research report. She shares her tip for getting started with the report, and goes...

RLP 163: Tracing 19th Century Germans Part 4

Aug 23, 2021

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about using DNA evidence to help further research on 19th century German ancestors. Heidi Mathis returns to discuss her experiences using ethnicity estimates from AncestryDNA, segment data, and MyHeritage filtering of matches. She discusses some of the challenges for using German DNA, including less clear ethnicity estimates for those with German ancestry and a smaller number of Germans who have tested. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is...

RLP 162: Tracing 19th Century Germans Part 3

Aug 16, 2021

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is a continuation of our series on tracing 19th century German ancestors. Heidi Mathis is back sharing about what to do next after you find the hometown of your ancestor in Germany. We discuss Archion, the German website for Protestant records and how to find baptismal records there. We also talk about the German mega-site, CompGen.de which can be used to locate German Genealogical Societies, German State Archives,...