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.

Changes to LDS family history callings discussed at #RootsTech2017

Feb 9, 2017

At RootsTech today, leaders of the family history department of the LDS church announced changes to the names of family history consultants. They will now be known as “temple and family history consultants.” The primary objective of temple and family history consultants will be “to assist members with a personalized one-on-one family history experience” which will enable them to perform temple ordinances (Temple and Family History Callings at LDS.org). See also Feb 9, 2017 Letter...

Giving one-on-one family history help to LDS church members #RootsTech2017

Feb 8, 2017

Tamra Stansfield, director of the Family History Library, spoke at RootsTech today about helping LDS church members turn their hearts to their ancestors with one-on-one guidance at the family history center. She encouraged the family history center directors and consultants present to use the Spirit and their experience (or lack thereof) to help people accomplish what they want to do. Her class was titled, “Family at the Center: Making the Family History Center a Sacred...

Teaching Family History with a Family Map Game

Feb 6, 2017

Children love playing games. According to the book Einstein Never Used Flashcards by Roberta Golinkoff and Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, play is how young children learn. I loved this book – the ideas really resonated with me. Of course children learn more when they are playing, not just repeating memorized information to please an adult. To teach my children about world geography and family history at the same time, I made a personalized “where in the world”...

The Book Itch: researching our ancestors’ passions

Feb 1, 2017

“You are not necessarily a fool because you didn’t go to school.” – Lewis Michaux For February, our children’s book club is The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, for grades 4 and up. Nelson is the grand-niece of Lewis Henri Michaux (1895-1976), owner of the National Memorial African Bookstore. She created the story of her great-uncle and his passion for books by researching in...

Family History Coloring Books with ReallyColor

Jan 30, 2017

ReallyColor is a website that allows you to create coloring books from photos. The website isn’t free, but it’s very simple! Anyone can use it. After you create a coloring page with their website, you can decide if you like it enough to purchase it. You can buy photo credits for about $0.40 each if you buy 10 or more at a time (if you just buy one, it’s about $1.50). I’ve made coloring pages...

Favorite Reads of the Month – January 2017

Jan 28, 2017

Note: I have decided to compile my “Favorite Reads” list monthly instead of weekly. This year I’d like to spend some of my Friday night genealogy blog reading time doing research. I don’t want to miss out on the genealogy news and any articles of interest so if I miss something you think I’d be interested in, let me know! Tabernacle Choir, President and Sister Nelson to highlight RootsTech events by R. Scott Lloyd at Deseret...

8 Tech Tools to Bring to RootsTech

Jan 24, 2017

It’s time to think about what you want to bring with you to RootsTech. With only two weeks left, you’ll want to download the RootsTech app, choose your classes, download the syllabi, and decide how you’re going to take notes. Here are some suggestions to help you do this (and otherwise enjoy the conference)! This post contains affiliate links. If you click the link and make a purchase, we receive a small commission. Thanks...

Creating Family Photo Coloring Pages with BeFunky

Jan 19, 2017

BeFunky.com is a photo editing website you can use to create coloring pages out of old family photos. The web tool is free for general photo editing but the “sketcher” filters which you apply to make coloring pages, are available in the plus version only. BeFunky Plus costs $4.95 per month or less if you pay annually. The BeFunky Mobile app, however, is free! BeFunky Website Go to BeFunky.com and click on the photo editor....

“Kid Presidents: True Tales of Childhood from America’s Presidents” – teaching children through storytelling

Jan 10, 2017

How stories from the presidents’ childhoods inspired me to share family history in a way that kids can laugh at and connect with. President elect Trump is taking office in a week and a half. My six-year-old son was extremely curious about the election and asked his teacher and all our neighbors who they voted for. He is fascinated by the office of President of the United States, so when I stumbled across the book “Kid Presidents:...

Favorite Reads of the Week: 6 January 2017 – Organizing genealogy, rag rugs, and children left behind in Vietnam

Jan 7, 2017

Scientists Say January is the Worst Month for Genea-Injuries by Kerry Scott at Clue Wagon – finger yoga!! haha. FamilySearch 2016 Year in Review by Diane Sagers at the FamilySearch Blog – How FamilySearch worked toward its objective to help people of every age, locale, and background learn where they come from. Time-Saving Family History Mobile Apps for Beginners by Leslie Albrecht Huber at the FamilySearch Blog – “All you really need is a few minutes to make headway uncovering...