Family Locket

RLP 210: Pennsylvania Germans Part 4 – Probate and Church Records

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is a discussion with Alice Childs about finding probate and church records for Pennsylvania German ancestors. We discuss the probate process and the resulting records. We also talk about using FamilySearch to browse to probate books at the county level. Pennsylvania was known as a place for religious tolerance, and many Germans of different denominations settled in the same places. We talk about how to find out what […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer July 18, 2022 Podcast

Five Takeaways from an Advanced DNA Institute Course

What is the value of taking an immersive DNA course from an expert in the field? New perspectives, information, and practical applications to genetic genealogy. I completed the Advanced DNA Evidence course coordinated by Blaine Bettinger as part of the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. The course exceeded my expectations, and I took copious notes on the latest and greatest advances in DNA as it relates to proving and confirming our ancestors. I highly recommend […]

By Diana Elder July 16, 2022 DNA, Research Tips

RLP 209: Pennsylvania Germans Part 3 – Land Records

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about acquiring land in Colonial Pennsylvania and subsequent land transactions. Alice Childs, Accredited Genealogist Professional, shares how colonists received the first title to land in a five-step process. We review the steps to finding your ancestor’s land and an example from Alice’s family. We talk about deeds and using various types of deed indexes. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is Research Like a Pro episode 209 Pennsylvania Germans […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer July 11, 2022 Podcast

Unrehearsed Research for Clement Darnold’s Mother

Last month I had the opportunity to join Richard Miller, the developer of the Goldie May app, in three episodes of his Unrehearsed Genealogy Research show. I chose an objective for the show to find evidence of a parent-child link for a DNA proof argument I’m working on. The proof argument has to do with my husband’s 3rd-great-grandmother, Barsheba (Tharp) Dyer. In the last Research Like a Pro with DNA study group, I wrote a […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer July 6, 2022 Research Like a Pro, Research Tips

RLP 208: Pennsylvania Germans Part 2 – Emigration and Guiding Principles

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the emigration of Pennsylvania Germans from their homeland. We talk with Alice Childs, Accredited Genealogist Professional, about the steps required for a German emigrant to leave Germany. We also talk about the voyage and ship records. This episode also includes a discussion of the guiding principles to follow when researching Pennsylvania Germans, like employing FAN methodology and identifying the proper jurisdiction. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer July 4, 2022 Podcast

The Girls in the Stilt House – Summer Book Club Selection

When writing family stories, how often do you research the location and history surrounding events that influenced our ancestors? As family historians, we can learn much about the importance of this type of research by reading historical fiction. The Girls in the Stilt House provides an excellent example of using place and time to bring to life the Natchez Trace as the setting for the story. In this blog post, Author Kelly Mustian shares some […]

By Diana Elder July 2, 2022 Book Club, Creating and Sharing Family History

RLP 207: Pennsylvania Germans Part 1 with Heidi: History

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the history of Pennsylvania Germans. They came in the colonial American period and have millions of Americans as their descendants. Join us as we talk with Heidi Mathis about important factors for finding records about Pennsylvania Germans and factors for Germans leaving Europe and coming to Pennsylvania colony. Transcript Nicole (2s): This is Research Like a Pro episode, 207 Pennsylvania Germans part one with Heidi […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer June 27, 2022 Podcast

Renewing the Accredited Genealogist Ⓡ Credential

Five years ago I was thrilled to be awarded the Accredited Genealogist credential for the Gulf South U.S. region through ICAPGen (The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists). Although it would be nice if that was a lifetime achievement, to stay fresh with research skills in this ever-changing genealogy world, AGs are required to renew their credential every five years. What does that entail? I’ll share the various elements in this blog post, […]

By Diana Elder June 25, 2022 Accreditation, Research Tips

RLP 206: Proving a Parent-Child Link Using Ancestry Thrulines Part 3

Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about Diana’s research log and report from the Shults project. She discusses her Family History Library research trip, how she logged her results, and her findings. We also discuss how she selected DNA matches to help verify the connection between Hickman Monroe Shults and his proposed father, Martin Shults. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is Research Like a Pro episode 206, proving a parent child’s link using ancestry […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer June 20, 2022 Podcast

Find More Ancestors with Autosomal DNA by Increasing Coverage

When using DNA test results to find evidence for a research subject’s parent, the typical method is to find DNA matches who are descendants of the hypothesized parent. You will only be able to find these matches if you actually inherited DNA from that ancestor. The more distant the ancestor, the less likely that you inherited very much DNA from that person. You are expected to inherit about: 1/4 of a grandparent’s DNA (25%) 1/8 […]