Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about finding records for the friends, associates, and neighbors of your ancestors in archives. Melissa Barker, the Archive Lady, teaches us all about archives. Tune in to learn more about different types and levels of archives, what you might find there, and best practices for using them. Links What Your Ancestor’s Neighbors Can Tell You - handout by Melissa Barker RLP 55 – It’s Not All Online: Researching in Archives with Melissa Barker - previous podcast episode with Melsisa RLP 56 – Researching in Libraries and Archives: The Do’s and Don’ts with...
Have you been dragging your feet when it comes to researching your ancestors in a different country? Reading historical documents can be difficult and is only compounded when another language is involved. Perhaps the records are confusing and the jurisdictions are different. Sooner or later you'll need to tackle a new research locality, so let's explore two excellent websites that can take the pain out of the learning: The FamilySearch Research Wiki and The Family History Guide. Both are free websites and are devoted to helping us become better researchers. I'm working in the new locality of Mexico, so I'll...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about what to do after you have finished all the RLP with DNA steps. Robin Wirthlin, genetic genealogist, joins our discussion. If you haven't reached a proven conclusion, you'll want to start on the next phase of our research. Choose a sub-objective to work on next - maybe you have a hypothesis to test and see if you can eliminate. We also discuss DNA blogs, podcasts, classes, institute courses, and books to help you continue learning about genetic genealogy. Links Research Like a Pro with DNA – What’s Next? by Nicole at...
Airtable is a hybrid spreadsheet and database. Most database tools are beyond the technological level of typical users, so most people don't use database tools. Yet, databases are highly useful. Luckily for us, Airtable is a database tool that doesn't require that you know how to code. If you are familiar with spreadsheets, you'll pick it up right away. Each database is called "base." Think of it as a spreadsheet with multiple sheets/tabs. Each sheet within the base is a "table." Rows in a table are called "records." Columns in a table are called "fields." Each field is customizable. You...
When you discover a lengthy file for an ancestor, how do you deal with the many pages it may contain and the information it holds? Do you transcribe it? Create an abstract? What if you can't read some of the handwriting? Four tips can get you started in working with original documents. Transcription or Abstract - What's the Difference? You may have heard the terms abstract or transcription in regards to genealogy and wondered about the difference. Both are very useful when working with something like a probate file, land application file, or pension file. These collections often contain multiple...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about organizing and keeping track of the names you find on records that don't fit into your family tree. The friends, associates, and neighbors of your ancestors are important to know and research, but where do you record your findings? Can you add them to your family tree software? We discuss this question and more. Tune in to hear how you can organize your ancestor's FAN club in using research notes, evidence analysis chronologies, timelines, research logs, Airtable, NameandPlace.com, Legacy Family Tree software, and more. Links National Genealogical Society Conference (NGS) Elizabeth...
Can we tell the story of our great-grandmothers when few records naming them exist? What sources can we use to weave a narrative that will draw us closer to them as well as honor their contributions? My great, great-grandmother, Eliza Ann Isenhour died in Indian Territory at the age of 48. According to family stories, she was full-blooded Cherokee. I wanted to know more about this woman whose DNA I carry. Researching her story revealed a life spent on the western frontier, struggling to raise a family, like many other women of the late 1800s. Knowing that I'd be presenting...
The Periodical Source Index (PERSI) is a subject index to family and local history literature published in periodicals. Originally created in 1986 by the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) in Fort Wayne, Indiana, it is the second largest family history library in the United States, in print and fiche formats. PERSI now includes more than 11,000 genealogical, historical, and patriotic periodicals, including magazines, newsletters, journals created by societies from around the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and Ireland. The articles are indexed by place, subject, surname, ethnicity, and methodology. FindMyPast partnered with ACPL in 2013...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about the FAN club. When you research your ancestors, do you pay attention to their neighbors on the census? The bondsmen, godparents, witnesses, doctors, and people with the same occupation? These all make up the friends, associates, and neighbors of your ancestors. Researching the FAN club is a strategy Diana and I have used often in our own research and research for clients. Join us as we discuss a case where the FAN club strategy proved useful. Links Research Like a Pro Using the FAN Club - by Hazel Scullin at Family...
Are you ready for some in-depth learning this summer? Three big genealogical educational opportunities have opened up to you by going virtual. If you've always wanted to attend an institute or a national genealogy conference, here is your chance. With no travel or hotel costs and the comfort of watching from home, this is an excellent opportunity for all genealogists of any level of experience. National Genealogical Society (NGS) Conference NGS was scheduled for May 20-23 in Salt Lake City. With the COVID-19 closures, the conference organizers have opted to go virtual. On Wednesday, May 20th, NGS 2020 LIVE! will...
