A previous post, “Unlocking the Mystery of the Feast Day Calendar,” told the story of the feast day calendar, how it’s made up, and what to look for in church records. This post will take you through the process of using the feast day calendar. The church book samples are from Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish records. Danish Christening Record Let’s start with a christening record from Alsønderup parish in Fredriksborg, Denmark.1 A christening record from...
In this episode of Research Like a Pro, we discuss strategies for researching ancestors who emigrated to the United States after 1820, emphasizing the wealth of ship manifests and other records available for identifying individuals among those with the same name. We explore immigration trends from the 19th to the early 20th century, the impact of U.S. immigration laws on the process, and the roles of key immigration stations like Castle Garden and Ellis Island....
Diana and Nicole discuss tracing ancestors back to the Colonial Era in the United States, emphasizing the scarcity of immigration records before the establishment of the U.S. Federal Government in 1789. They highlight strategies such as cluster research and the use of DNA testing to overcome the challenge of limited documentation, particularly for those who emigrated from England, Scotland, France, Germany, and other regions. They explain the significance of creating a locality guide based on...
Welcome to the final post of our six-part series, “Key Records and Repositories,” where we’ve journeyed through the multifaceted world of genealogical research in the Southwestern United States. This concluding article highlights an often-overlooked treasure trove for genealogists: University and Private Collections. Venturing beyond the usual archives and public records, we uncover the hidden gems and specialized resources nestled within academic institutions, private holdings, and dedicated organizations. This guide aims to arm you with knowledge...
This episode of Research Like a Pro focuses on the intricacies of tracing immigration records in genealogical research. Diana and Nicole discuss the common challenges faced when trying to locate an ancestor’s passenger list and the various entry points into the U.S., such as New York, New Orleans, Boston, San Francisco, Canada, and Mexico. They emphasize the importance of combing through U.S. records for clues about an ancestor’s home country, ship’s name, date of immigration,...
In the fifth part of our six-part series “Key Records and Repositories,” we explore genealogical resources related to Native American and Spanish language records. These sources provide insights into the lives of individuals and families in the Southwestern United States. This guide will help you understand tribal records, Spanish documents, the effects of Spanish colonization on genealogy, and essential Spanish genealogical terms. With practical advice and examples, we’ll show you how to access and use...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro features a discussion with Barry Chodak from genealogical.com about a new feature called the My GPC Library. This digital library provides access to 800 of the best titles in genealogy and family history, making it an invaluable resource for researchers. Diana and Nicole, the hosts, share their excitement about this tool and its potential to enhance genealogical research. They explore various aspects of the My GPC Library, including...
If you love getting genealogy books, but have limited shelf space, Genealogical Publishing has a wonderful solution. My GPC Library is a new subscription from Genealogical Publishing that allows you to read over 800 titles online – but that’s not all. The books are every word searchable, making it so much easier to find what you need, as well as finding the names of ancestors! There are two types of books in the collection –...
Diahan Southard had the fun idea to celebrate the 25th anniversary of genetic genealogy by creating a free eBook with reflections from DNA leaders and luminaries. I feel honored to be included in this group. Diahan asked us to write about our experiences getting started with DNA and/or the impact it has had on our work. I wrote my story, but it was far too long! After condensing it for the book, I decided to...
In this episode, Diana and Nicole delve into the agricultural roots of American ancestry, spotlighting Richard L. Bushman’s book, “The American Farmer in the Eighteenth Century: A Social and Cultural History.” They discuss the profound role of farming in shaping American society and the individual stories of ancestors who contributed to this agricultural legacy, including Diana’s own forebears, the Isenhours. The hosts explore farming’s evolution, the impact of land inheritance, and the migration westward for...
