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 171: Print Resources for African American Research

Oct 18, 2021

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about books that Diana has been reading to help her with African American Research. She discusses general reference books as well as locality specific references.There are an abundance of materials available to guide our research these days, and some of those materials are only available in printed books. It’s great to take advantage of the writings of fellow genealogists and historians to help us along the way. ...

RLP 170: Choosing a DNA Objective Using a Surname Search

Oct 11, 2021

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about Diana’s experiment to see if doing surname searches at each DNA testing website could help her find matches about a research question. She then used the results of her searches to decide if she had enough matches to work on this research objective. Mary “Clemsy” Cline, born in 1818 in Missouri, is one of our brick walls. Diana talks about using the search features at AncestryDNA,...

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...