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 130: How to Evaluate an Ancestry Thrulines Hypothesis

Jan 4, 2021

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about evaluating AncestryDNA Thrulines hypotheses. If you have ever received a Thruline for a potential ancestor and weren’t sure if it was worth pursuing, we will discuss a checklist of criteria that make up a reliable Thrulines. We will also talk about some red flags to watch out for then give several case studies Thrulines we have evaluated. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is Research Like a Pro...

RLP 129: Preparing a DNA Proof Argument for Publication

Dec 28, 2020

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about publishing a proof argument or case study in a genealogical journal. We talk about advice Nicole received from authors of DNA case studies published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ). They shared some of the benefits and challenges of submitting a DNA case study for publication including peer review, contacting people for permission, and the length constraints of a journal article. Transcript Nicole (1s): This...

RLP 128: DNA Standards

Dec 21, 2020

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the DNA Standards in the Board for Certification of Genealogist’s Genealogy Standards manual. These DNA standards were added in 2019 as part of the second edition of Genealogy Standards. We discuss some applications of the DNA standards to our own work and ideas for how to meet them. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is Research Like a Pro episode 128: DNA Standards. Welcome to Research Like a...

RLP 127: DNA Proof Arguments

Dec 14, 2020

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about writing a DNA proof argument. First we discuss three types of proofs: proof statements, proof summaries, and proof arguments. Then we talk about how to organize a proof argument that includes DNA evidence. We discuss figures and tables and how to include numerical data. Join us as we discuss how to write DNA proof arguments! Transcript Nicole (1s): This is Research Like a Pro episode 127:...

RLP 126: Preparing Reports to Share Online

Dec 7, 2020

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about sharing your written research documents. Whether its a report, proof argument, or ancestor biography, sharing is a great way to get your research out there. We discuss how to add a few safeguards to your report in case pages of it get separated – like footnotes, copyright notices, and headers and footers. Listen in for a discussion on uploading your report to Ancestry, FamilySearch, or your...

RLP 125: Privacy and Permission in DNA Report Writing

Nov 30, 2020

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about asking permission from living individuals in your DNA reports and proof arguments to include them in your paper. We also discuss different types of sharing – private sharing and publication – and what permissions you may need to request. We talk about privatizing living individuals by removing personally identifying details, in case your message to request permission goes unanswered. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is Research Like...

RLP 124: Researching African American Ancestors Part 4

Nov 23, 2020

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the Southern Claims Commission. This record set was created for loyal southerners to seek redress for supplies seized by the Union Army during the Civil War. Many free people of color filed claims. Many witness and personal statements of former slave owners and the formerly enslaved are included. To access the records, use the index at Ancestry.com and follow the ideas at the FamilySearch Wiki article...

RLP 123: African American Research Part 3

Nov 16, 2020

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about records created during the New Deal in the 1930s that can help research African American ancestors. This is the third part in our series on researching African Americans in federal government documents. Diana shares more record groups she learned about during her IGHR course, including the 1940 census, WPA Personnel records, CCC Enrollee Records, the American Guide Series, Slave Narratives, and the Historical Records Survey. Transcript...

How to Evaluate an AncestryDNA Thrulines Hypothesis

Nov 15, 2020

Are you wondering how to tell if an AncestryDNA Thrulines estimate is reliable, or even possible? The Thrulines algorithm works by comparing your DNA matches, their trees, and all the searchable trees in the Ancestry public member tree database. If the algorithm can make your tree and your DNA match’s tree connect somewhere, the hypothesis shows up in Thrulines. One problem with this is the many errors in the public member trees database. Also, Thrulines...

RLP 122: African American Research Part 2

Nov 9, 2020

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about researching African American ancestors in United States federal records using land and military records. We discuss laws that impacted free black people and freedmen in the reconstruction era. Many records were created because of the Homestead Act of 1862 and Southern Homestead Act of 1866. We go over a brief history of African American involvement in wars beginning with the Revolutionary War up until the Vietnam...