In our podcast episode today, Diana and I discuss why you might want to go back to research that you did in the past and check it again. There are three specific reasons why we suggest doing this, which we talk about in this episode. Hint hint – you’ll discover more things as more records become available and online! Links 3 Reasons to Revisit Your Research – blog post by Diana How to Research Like...
Memorial Day and summer are approaching and you may be getting ready to do some hands-on cemetery research. If you’re not able to visit a cemetery in person right now, can you still do cemetery research? What are the basics that you need to know? In Part 1 of this series we’ll cover the types of U.S. cemeteries and strategies for locating a cemetery for your ancestor. Why Cemetery Research Why should you explore cemetery...
In our podcast episode today, Diana and I discuss the last element of research planning – making a prioritized list. During this part of research planning, you choose what to search first. Many people wonder how to know which record is the best to search first. We answer that question in today’s podcast. Links Research Like a Pro eCourse – on sale beginning May 8! $99. Sale ends May 22. How to Research Like a...
Sources play a vital role in genealogical research and the quality and quantity of sources matter. Elizabeth Shown Mills, a renowned genealogical expert explains, “Sources give us information from which we select evidence for analysis. A sound conclusion may be considered proof.”[1] Part of the Research Like a Pro process is to “Dig out your papers and locate the sources on the FamilySearch Family Tree or other online trees that pertain to your ancestor. When...
In our podcast episode today, Diana and I discuss how to create a genealogy reference center in Evernote. Do you have stacks of handouts from genealogy conferences and classes? What are you doing with that blog post or online article you know you’ll need in the future? Can you quickly find reference information that you saved from a lecture? Knowing how to access these items can help you become more efficient in your genealogy research....
Are you wondering how to blend DNA and traditional genealogy research? Have you been thinking you’d like to try a DNA project to solve a brick wall or prove a conclusion in your research? With my southern U.S. heritage, I have a lot of empty spaces on my pedigree chart. These brick wall ancestors are brick walls for a reason. Records connecting them to parents haven’t been discovered and may not exist. I’ve used indirect...
In our podcast episode today, Diana and I discuss how to use Evernote, a popular note-taking app, to gather and organize data in your genealogy research projects. Have you ever wished you could cross reference your genealogical findings? Find all the census records in a certain county for a family? Look at all of the mentions of a surname in a city? We’ll talk about tagging, using Evernote with Google Drive, and using the Evernote...
Do you have a lot of people with the same surname in a locality and don’t know how to sort them out? I run into this situation occasionally. What do I resort to using? My large whiteboard and a set of dry erase colored markers. If you have a similar family history challenge, I’m sharing the steps I take to sort out the generations and the families. When finished, my whiteboard may look sort of...
More and more people are taking DNA tests, either for fun – to see their predicted ancestral origins or ethnicity – or to learn more about their family history. DNA is a highly useful part and an important part of genealogical research. The Board for the Certification of Genealogists has added new standards regarding DNA to help genealogists in their research and analysis of family relationships. “Meeting the Genealogical Proof Standard requires using all...
In our podcast episode today, Diana and I discuss how to apply the genealogical proof standard (GPS) as you work in collaborative trees – specifically the FamilySearch Family Tree. We talk about each element of the GPS and how you implement it with small changes in the way you add reason statements, sources, and additional explanations about your research to the tree. Links How to Improve the FamilySearch Family Tree with the Genealogical Proof Standard...