If you’re like me and overwhelmed by DNA and this new wealth of information for genealogists, I am going through my experience with the Research Like a Pro with DNA e-course to help those looking for a way to get started! This is the sixth post in the series. In the fifth step of the RLP with DNA process, Locality Research and Ethnicity, I began the research phase of my project by learning about different localities pertaining to my project. Now, it is time to learn about the different tools and methodology I can use in my research with the...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the non-population schedules of the U.S. Federal Census. We also discuss the Veteran’s Schedule of 1890, which is technically a special schedule. Alice Childs joins us again to discuss census records and shares examples from her own research in the mid-Atlantic states. We talk about how these census records can help add historical context to our ancestor’s lives. Join us as we discuss the agricultural schedules, social statistics schedules, mortality schedules, and more. Links U.S. Census Non-Population Schedules: Adding Details to Our Ancestors’ Lives at AliceChilds.com RLP 25: U.S. Federal Census...
In recent years DNA has become an amazing tool for helping solve our genealogical brick walls. For example in Part 5 of this series the fact that Burkhard Schlag’s descendants were fairly close DNA matches to his FAN club’s (i.e. nieces and nephews) descendant’s, provided important clues for tracing Burkhard’s parents. However using DNA with recent German ancestors may be more challenging than with some other communities. Germans may have an advantage with their church records and other documentary evidence, but may be somewhat at a disadvantage when it comes to using ethnicity and DNA. What do we need to...
If you’re like me and overwhelmed by DNA and this new wealth of information for genealogists, I am going through my experience with the Research Like a Pro with DNA e-course to help those looking for a way to get started! This is the fifth post in the series. In the fourth step of the RLP with DNA process, Analyze Your Sources and DNA Matches, I went through the traditional genealogy records I had collected previously and analyzed the sources as original, derivative, or authored; the informant of the source as primary, secondary, or undetermined; and the evidence in the...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about state census records. We talk with Alice Childs, one of our researchers at Family Locket Genealogists, and discuss a state within her area of specialty, New York. New York has some incredible state census records that provide helpful clues for researching ancestors in the 1800s. We also discuss where to find other state census records and how those records can help fill in the gaps between federal census years. Links State Censuses Help Fill In Important Details About the In-Between Census Years at AliceChilds.com RLP 25: U.S. Federal Census Records Part...
In previous posts of this series, “Tracing Your 19th German Ancestors,” we began searching in America to learn everything possible about our ancestor before researching in Germany. In part 4 we learned steps for reading German-language records. In part 5 we will finally take a virtual trip to Germany. We will first show how to search Archion, the German website for Protestant records, in hopes of finding the baptism record for Burkhard Schlag (our example German-American). Next, we will explore the German mega-site, CompGen.de to locate German Genealogical Societies, German State Archives, OFBs (town family books) relevant to our German,...
If you’re like me and overwhelmed by DNA and this new wealth of information for genealogists, I am going through my experience with the Research Like a Pro with DNA e-course to help those looking for a way to get started! This is the fourth post in the series. In the first step of the RLP with DNA process, Assess Your DNA Matches and Analyze Your Pedigree, I found some holes in my husband’s family tree that I wanted to approach with DNA and then began looking at the DNA matches available that could help with filling those holes. In...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the second part of Diana’s research on John D. Isenhour, her 4th great grandfather. Her objective was to learn more about his migration from North Carolina to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In this episode, we discuss Diana’s research plan, Airtable research log, and findings. Read her plan and report linked below. Links John D. Isenhour Research Plan – by Diana John D. Isenhour Report April 2021 – by Diana John D. Isenhour_ Timeline and Analysis – Airtable – by Diana (PDF version of Airtable, scroll through to see all the fields) John...
In Part 4 we tackle the most daunting part of having a German ancestor and that is understanding their German language records. Many English-speaking researchers feel intimidated at this stage, but please don’t! I only understand the most basic words but have been able to follow the paper trail of many Germans through their American records back into Germany. We are lucky to live in a time where there are many accessible strategies for finding and comprehending the wonderful German language records left behind by our ancestors. We need to learn to read just enough German to find our ancestors....
If you’re like me and overwhelmed by DNA and this new wealth of information for genealogists, I am going through my experience with the Research Like a Pro with DNA e-course to help those looking for a way to get started! This is the third post in the series. The first two steps in the RLP with DNA process are discussed in Assess Your DNA Matches and Analyze Your Pedigree and Organize Your DNA Results and Create a Research Objective. In the first step, I found some holes in my husband’s family tree that I wanted to approach with DNA...
