Research Tips
Don’t Wait to Write Up Those Notes – by Michael John Neill at Genealogy Tip of the Day – “Time spent writing up your notes is not wasted. Wasted time is what is spent later trying figure out why on Earth you did certain things or in spending an hour to reach the same conclusion you did earlier a week ago when you were actually researching.”
The Biggest Mistake in Reading Old Handwriting – and How to Avoid It – Amy Johnson Crow – “As we try to decipher it, it’s normal to focus on the troublesome word. However, focusing too much on that word or name could be keeping you from reading old handwriting.”
The Big Picture: Using Mind Mapping to Organize Research Ideas by Drew Smith at Genealogy Insider – “Coggle allows you to create as many different mind maps as you like; Coggle refers to these as “diagrams” or “documents.” When you start a new diagram, you begin with a central concept or question. For instance, you might start with a brick wall question.”
All History Is Controversial; Here’s How To Teach It by George Anders at Forbes – “The great art of being a historian involves an ability to sift through incomplete or conflicting evidence — and to make a case for an overview that unifies what’s knowable.”
Funeral records are useful for genealogists by Brenda S. Edwards at Central KY News – “Ann Yeager Hamlin McCrosky, a funeral director at Stith Funeral Home on Broadway, explained how to research funeral records and what is available during the recent Forkland Genealogy Workshop.”
DNA
Ancestry Refines New Ancestor Discoveries (NADs) by Roberta Estes at DNAeXplained – “Just remember that those people are not necessarily ancestors, despite the name “New Ancestor Discoveries,” but you are connected to individuals in that group in one way or another – and possibly through multiple or different ancestors or relationships.”
3 Ways to Talk about DNA at Your Next Family Reunion by Diane Southard at Genealogy Gems – “If you find yourself at a family reunion for a particularly pesky set of ancestors for whom you don’t know much about their parents or grandparents, this is a perfect time to help your family members understand that they might be THE ONE, the one who holds the right combination of genetics to help you bust through that brick wall.”
Fan Charts Are Your Friend by Michele Simmons Lewis at Ancestoring – “Go ahead and create an 8 generation fan chart using the person that DNA tested as the anchor person and you might see the reason why you can’t figure out how your DNA matches relate to you. Researching these gaps will make your DNA research more fruitful.”
The DNA Journey – Danish travel search site Momondo conducts a DNA experiment in this short video. After revealing the results, one of the participants said, “this should be compulsory. There would be no such thing as extremism, if everyone knew their heritage like that.”
Creating and Sharing Family History
Making Gift Books From Blog Posts by Lorine McGinnis Schulze at Olive Tree Genealogy – “If you write a genealogy blog, you might want to have some fun with Blog2Print.com. I spent 45 minutes last week at this site creating a small book featuring specific blog posts on my Sharing Memories meme.”
The Story of a House: Jedidiah Brink’s Home by
Blogging – Ins and Outs, Dos and Don’ts – by Roberta Estes at DNA Explained – Tips for those interested in starting a genealogy blog to share research with family.
Adding Photos without Provenance to the FamilySearch.org Memories by James Tanner at Rejoice and Be Exceedingly Glad – the problem with mis-identified photos on FamilySearch.
LDS
Writing My “Last Words” — A Sincere and Sacred Experience by Jenn Hough at Aggieland Mormons – “While journals, family and personal histories, and other documents are valuable in recording and expressing your beliefs and personal feelings for your loved ones, there is something remarkable about leaving a deliberate, final message for your family that, in essence, says, “This is what it all comes down to; this is what’s most important.”
Keeping Memories Alive By Melissa McKneely at the Ensign Magazine – “When I was prompted to involve my children in family history, our family was blessed in unexpected ways.”
I Felt the Blessings of the Temple When … at the Ensign Magazine – “I know that when we do the work for our ancestors, we are guided.”
Family History is for Everyone
Why people from all walks of life are interested in family history
May I Introduce to You . . . Chery Kinnick by Tessa Keough at Geneabloggers – “I realized that you really could piece together the past in an understandable manner, while learning about individuals who were central to your existence, but whom you had never met.”
Moore woman’s desire to honor Confederate ancestor is set for Saturday By Steve Gust at The Oklahoman – “I would sit on the floor and listen to all the stories,” she said. “It really gave me a great love of history.”
Being an ordinary farmer is what made Grandpa extraordinary by Ty Higgins at Ohio’s Country Journal – “For him, legacy was about family. And not just family, but how he raised his family.”
Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society celebrates 1st ‘Founders Day’ in Agawam by Lucas Ropek at Mass Live – “The study of genealogy comes from the impulse to understand one’s self and his relation to history. “People have different motivations,” he said. “Some people just want to know, they have to know. It’s basic human nature.”
USAFE band member discovers family history on Memorial Day by Master Sgt. Steven M. Przyzycki at U.S. Air Force – After checking every honor roll he visited, this man finally found his uncle. “This is a Memorial Day I will never forget,” Fahrenbacher said. “My great-uncle Merle paid the ultimate sacrifice. He gave his own life for a bigger cause. His memory will stay with me forever.”
What Does It Mean to Embrace Your History? by Kenyatta D. Berry at PBS – “I have been researching African American genealogy for over seventeen years so I should be used to all of the terms associated with Slaves, but I am still shocked by what I learn and read every day.”
Ghosts in the Room at Writing My Past – “The more I learn about my ancestors, the more present they feel to me…like ghosts in the room. After a few hours of genealogical research, I find myself lost in the past, feeling more at home there in a way than I do in the present.”
Connecticut Family Receives Postcard From Dead Aunt Mailed 53 Years Ago by Patricia Clarke at ABC News – “What happened to the letter over the course of five decades remains a mystery, but it arrived with a note from a postal clerk who thought it was still worth making good on the delivery.”
Genealogy TV
Why Am I Watching Roots? by True Lewis at Notes to Myself – “To keep myself Inspired. To know who I AM! To teach my Family. Who What Why and Where we come from! So there is no doubt where our Greatness comes from.”
Watching Roots with my Heart by Andi-Cumbo Floyd at Our Folks’ Tales – “Together. . . our family is committed to witnessing this horror. Not because we are good people, good white people, but because in the very least, we as white people owe our black brothers and sisters the respect of paying attention to the stories of their ancestors. In the very least, we can sit and gasp without rationalizing what happened.”
Roots Revisited at 23 and Me Blog – “I’ve always felt there was a piece of me missing,” Burton said. “I’m sure a lot of black people in this country have that same feeling… that who I am did not just begin here; that I’m part of a lineage that goes back much further than that… and to have the proof in my hand…it’s powerful.”
“Genealogy Roadshow” Season 3 Episode 3 at PBS – “This time the team hits Houston to discover family stories at the Julia Ideson Building of the Houston Public Library. A woman seeks to find out if her roots in Texas are as deep as the character she portrays in her historical re-enactments. Later, the Roadshow team investigates the notorious Andersonville prison; a man wants to know if his African-American ancestors fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War; a woman uncovers her link to a prominent figure in Texas history; another learns of her connection to the Cherokee Freedman; and one man traces his roots to the conflicts that shaped early American history.”
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