Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is a discussion with Robin Wirthlin about how to use DNA tools and methodology in your genetic genealogy. This is part 1 of DNA tools, focusing on creating genetic networks, pedigree triangulation, and the What are the Odds tool at DNA Painter. We grouped these together because they are usually the first tools and methods to use. You don’t need segment information or chromosome browsers to use these...
Do you write reports after you’ve completed some research on your family? Have you worked with DNA to prove a hypothesis that traditional research could only hint at? If so, you’ll want to get your conclusions out of your brain and on to paper. What does a research report look like? Today I’m sharing the report I wrote on my hypothesis of Benjamin Cox as the father of Rachel Cox. I used DNA as part...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is an interview with Dana Leeds about her method of color clustering DNA Matches. This is called the Leeds Method. When she first shared her method last year, it became an instant success. The Autocluster reports created at Genetic Affairs and the Collins Leeds method are both based on the Leeds Method of color clustering. Listen in to hear all about the Leeds Method and Dana’s experience doing...
Have you visited a Family History Center near you lately? You might be surprised at what you find. I just returned from a trip to my hometown Burley, Idaho. While there I was treated to a tour of the newly updated Burley Idaho Family History Center by one of the consultants, Tamara. My parents started their genealogy research in the 1960’s and spent many hours at this center viewing microfilm. I was curious to learn...
You’ve analyzed your DNA, compared it with family history information and records, and worked diligently to gather information about your family—What’s next? The final step in the Research Like a Pro with DNA process is to write your conclusions and correlate the information in a report. This report may be written to yourself, family members, or clients. It’s a summary of the information about your DNA matches, common ancestors, and verification of biological connections to...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to find tax records. We discuss our go-to places to search, starting with the FamilySearch Wiki. Diana shares how she found the Maryland tax records transcribed and indexed at the Maryland Archives website through a link in the Wiki. We also discuss using the FamilySearch catalog to tap into all the digitized microfilm available online at FamilySearch that is typically unindexed, browse only microfilm. This...
Are you keeping your genealogy systems updated and functional? You might have spent a considerable amount of time organizing your records and prioritizing projects, but then you took a research trip, attended a conference, or watched a webinar, and now have a stack of papers and a flash drive full of digital records. If you’re feeling weighed down again, the step you might be missing is reflection. Regularly capturing the new items that have risen...
Have you discovered the value of using a research log? If not, you might want to experiment with using one for your next research project. Fine tuning a research log that worked for me was a major benefit of the accreditation process. When I started adding DNA as evidence in my research, I needed to tweak the log to reflect my correspondence with my DNA matches. I’ve shared each step of my DNA research project...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about U.S. tax records and the various types you might encounter. Each state decided how to tax their citizens a little differently. Colonial Virginia had tithables and quitrents. Later, these were replaced with poll taxes. Most tax records fall into three categories, which we discuss – poll, real property, and personal property. Nicole shares how poll taxes in North Carolina help determine the ages of John Johnson’s...
Updated 24 February 2022 When working on a case involving DNA test results, it may feel like you look at hundreds of DNA match pages, reports, family trees, and shared match lists each time you sit down to research. Do you want a better way to keep track of all the sources you consult in a DNA research project? It’s time to take your research log to the next level. In the Research Like a...
