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 77: Getting Things Done Part 3 – Organization

Dec 30, 2019

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about setting up an organizational system that you trust to hold your projects and give you reminders about what needs to be done on any certain day. What good is a filing system or calendar that is never used? Have you tried a new tool but given up when it didn’t meet your needs? This is the time to revisit how you’re organizing your genealogy and make...

RLP 76: RootsTech and Genealogy Education – Interview with Amberly Beck

Dec 23, 2019

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about genealogy education opportunities, including attending genealogy conferences like RootsTech. Our guest, Amberly Beck, talks about her first experience at RootsTech in Salt Lake City and how Tom Jones’ classes impacted her. She also shares about her experience speaking at RootsTech London and some of the classes she liked there. After recording the episode, Amberly shared a great thought with us. She said, “Sometimes we love researching...

Win a Pass to RootsTech 2020 Salt Lake City – Nicole’s Giveaway [CLOSED]

Dec 18, 2019

Diana’s giveaway is over and now it’s my turn to give away a free pass to RootsTech! The RootsTech 2020 conference in Salt Lake City is themed “Discover the Story of You.” Many of the classes are focused around this theme. It is a great conference to bring your non-genealogist friends and family members to, with many beginner classes and fun keynotes. It’s also a great way to gain intermediate to advanced knowledge of family...

Connected DNA: The Power of Network Graphs

Dec 17, 2019

Do you have a tough research question involving autosomal DNA? Do you like visualizing your data? Have you considered using a network graph to see connections between matches? Let me tell you how a network graph helped me break my Dyer brick wall and gave me new avenues for research. Who were the parents of John Robert Dyer? I have been searching for the parents of my husband’s 3rd great grandfather for the last several...

RLP 75: Using DNA in a Polish Research Project – Interview with Alice Childs

Dec 16, 2019

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is an interview with Alice Childs. Alice is a professional genealogist and recent graduate of our Research Like a Pro with DNA study group. She is sharing the DNA research process she used to discover a client’s immigrant ancestors’ origins. She is also sharing the full report, so scroll down to find the link to her services pages where it’s listed as a work sample! We are also...

RLP 74: PERSI Part 2 – How to Find Articles

Dec 9, 2019

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to find articles using the Periodical Source Index (PERSI). There are two different search pages to use. Learn about the differences between them and how to use them effectively to find the articles that might help in your research. We also go over 7 ways to obtain the articles you find in the Periodical Source Index, and how to search using state postal codes. Update...

How to Search PERSI with State Postal Codes

Dec 7, 2019

Update 2024: PERSI has moved from FindMyPast to Allen County Public Library, so the search strategies are different now. You can type your surname into the surname field, then after that, further refine results with postal codes using the search field on the results page. Have you tried searching the Periodical Source Index (PERSI) for a surname but come away empty? Me too. I searched with “Dyer” in the who field and “North Carolina” in...

RLP 73: PERSI Part 1

Dec 2, 2019

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the Periodical Source Index (PERSI). This index to periodicals useful to genealogists was originally created by the Allen County Public Library and published in print and fiche formats. Now, genealogists can access the index online at FindMyPast! Join us as we discuss what you might find in the index and how the articles might be of use to you. Update 2022: The Allen County Public Library’s Genealogy Center...

RLP 72: Getting Things Done Part 2 – Clarify

Nov 25, 2019

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is part 2 of our series on getting things done. Following David Allen’s method, we discuss the second part – clarifying. You look at your list of projects and things to do, and think broadly about what you want to do. Consider delegating some of the things on your list. Then, put your items in a prioritized order, based on when you can get to them. Think deeply...

RLP 71 – Getting Things Done Part 1

Nov 18, 2019

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about David Allen’s book, Getting Things done: the art of stress-free productivity and the applications to family history and genealogy research. We discuss the overview of his program and some examples of capturing, clarifying, and organizing. Links Family History and Getting Things Done – by Diana at Family Locket Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, revised edition by David Allen – affiliate link to Amazon...