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 giving away a DNA kit to one lucky winner in conjunction with today's episode, so check out how to enter below. Ancestry DNA Kit Giveaway...
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. Links How to Search PERSI with State Postal Codes by Nicole at Family Locket PERSI handout - Nicole's handout from her presentation at a local genealogical...
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 the where field. My search returned 0 results! I was disappointed. I felt like it was probably incorrect. There just had to be some articles in PERSI about Dyers in North Carolina. PERSI includes over two million entries for articles from thousands of genealogical and historical periodicals. Dyer is a fairly common name, and many Dyers lived in North Carolina. Why wasn't my search getting any results? I wondered if...
When you sit down at your computer for that devoted family history / genealogy time, how do you decide what to work on first? Should you go to work on a research project, watch a webinar, or browse new DNA matches? If you've been following the Getting Things Done method, you'll have a task list of next actions for various projects. Now it's time to engage. Choose a next action and go to work. This is the final article in this five-part series based on David Allen's book, Getting Things Done: the art of stress free productivity. If you've been...
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. Links PERSI handout - Nicole's handout from her presentation at a local genealogical society PERSI Index at FindMyPast Research Like a Pro eCourse Study Group - more information and email list Research...
When is the last time you discovered an important new genealogy record because of the FamilySearch indexing effort? Did you know that when you attach a record hint generated by the system you may also have the option to send a thank you to the indexer? Lest we ever forget that our ability to research quickly and effectively is due to the efforts of many who volunteer their time, during this season of Thanksgiving we can take a moment and give thanks. Recently in reviewing the FamilySearch details for my third great grandfather, Hickman Monroe Shults, I saw a new...
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 about the first project - brainstorm everything you need to do for it and create a list of next actions. Tune in to hear more!...
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 Research Like a Pro eCourse Study Group - more information and email list Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide by Diana Elder with Nicole...
Have you located the route your ancestors might have taken as they traveled to a new area? Could exploring migration open up new areas of research in your genealogy brick walls? Taking a look at the historical roads and trails that our ancestors possibly traveled can add to their story and help understand more about their lives. It might even lead to more discoveries that could expand our knowledge of the family and extend the ancestry. Start with a Timeline The first step in researching the migration of your ancestors is to create a timeline of the known records. This...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is a discussion with Robin Wirthlin about DNA tools and methods involving segment data. AncestryDNA doesn't provide segment data, but the other companies do! With chromosome browsers and segment data, you can use segment triangulation and chromosome mapping to prove common ancestors. Join us as we talk about how this all works! Links The Chromosome Browser: A Tool for Visualizing Segment Data by Nicole at Family Locket Segment Triangulation by Diana at Family Locket Chromosome Mapping – Visualize Your DNA and Identify the Ancestors Who Passed It On To You by Robin at...
