Today we're talking about preparing to research by learning more about the where your ancestor lived. Doing locality research is absolutely essential! Previously, we talked about objectives in epsidode 2, and analysis in episode 3. Those are the first steps in a research project. Today, Diana and I are going to dive in to the next step, locality research, and talk in depth about all the ways you can learn more about a location. Before creating a research plan and digging into sources, it's so important to prepare by learning about the location. Diana will tell about a mystery in...
Diana and I decided to start a podcast to be able to share with more people our research methods and strategies. We are so excited for you to join us! In the Research Like a Pro podcast, we will discuss how to take your family history research to the next level and uncover more of your family tree. Learn about research objectives, analysis, locality research, research planning, source citations, report writing, case studies, and more. Not familiar with listening to podcasts? That's okay, you can listen right here on our website with the podcast player above. However, if you have...
Today, Diana and I are talking about analyzing your sources - the next thing to do in your research project after creating an objective. In order to establish what you know and determine how reliable it is, you must analyze the source, information, and evidence on a record. Start by gathering up all the sources that you've already found. Talk to close relatives who have knowledge or information about the project. Check online family trees including Ancestry, RootsWeb, FamilySearch Family Tree Genealogies, etc. Diana tells about how it's easy to make a timeline in google sheets or excel with the...
Have you wondered what is behind the scenes at an archive? Any idea what work goes into preserving the records that we use for our genealogy research? I recently presented a class on using probate records at the Family History Workshop sponsored by the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service and was treated to a tour of the archived records. My guide opened an innocuous door and when I entered the archive I was shocked to see the boxes extending five stories high! Glen Fairclough, the Utah Public Notice Website Administrator, has worked at the Utah Archives for over...
Have you been interested in joining a Research Like a Pro Study Group, but worried about the time commitment? Perhaps the dates didn’t work for you or you were nervous about receiving peer feedback on your work. I’m excited to announce that Nicole and I are launching the Research Like a Pro E-course designed to give you the extra boost you might need in your research efforts. You’ll be able to work at your own pace and still receive valuable assistance along the way. Webinars The E-course will include lifetime access to eight webinars corresponding to chapters in the book....
Today, Diana and I discuss research objectives. Focusing your research with a question is an important step when getting started in any research project. We'll talk about the three types of research objectives (identity, relationship and actions) and the best type to start with. Diana talks about writing down your objective and including unique identifiers. This is so important when you're doing a project to identify a person. When I started my first project in the Research Like a Pro study group, I had a large objective covering three brothers. I tell about why this was a problem and what...
We are so excited to share our brand new podcast with you. We will be discussing the Research Like a Pro method and how to take your genealogy research to the next level. Learn about research objectives, analysis, locality research, research planning, source citations, report writing, case studies, and more. Show Notes: Diana and I talk about our background in family history and give an overview of the Research Like a Pro process. Diana got started in genealogy research when her father gave her a suitcase full of family history papers. Diana shares her journey in accreditation and tells about...
Would you like some help with your research? How about getting a notification when someone in your family tree has a possible new genealogical record? If you don't have your family information on FamilySearch, you might be missing out on free research assistance. I received an email over the weekend that a relative had a new record hint on the FamilySearch FamilyTree. Intrigued, I clicked on the link and discovered a hint for Wilford Royston in a recently indexed database, "Oklahoma, School Records, 1895-1936." I hadn't explored this newly indexed set of records, so I viewed the record image and...
Are you struggling to make sense of the clues to your ancestry found in DNA results? Maybe you're an adoptee or working on an adoptee line in your family history. You might be missing an entire branch of your family tree and need a way to discover it using DNA. I recently helped my adopted sister, Nancy, identify her biological father through DNA networks and mind mapping. Today I'm sharing how I did it. I wrote about my sister's story in Using DNA to Find Biological Parents: 3 Tips to Get Started and a Case Study I'm happy to report that through...
How do you keep track of the various projects or to-do lists in your genealogy? Do you fill sticky notes with ideas about what to do next or get overwhelmed with all of the thoughts running through your head? Google Keep is my new favorite productivity tool and it might be just what you need to organize your genealogy life. Think of it as a place to keep all of your sticky notes - electronically. You can access Keep on the web at keep.google.com, install and use the Keep Chrome browser extension, and/or download the Keep mobile app on your...
