Family Locket

RLP 328: Using AI in Research Logging

Nicole and Diana discuss Diana’s recent project on Isabella Weatherford, demonstrating how she used both traditional methods and AI assistance to log her research effectively. Diana reviews the research plan she created using AI, including the objective to examine the economic and social conditions in Dallas County, Texas, in the early 1870s and their influence on Isabella’s life and marriage prospects. Diana followed the research plan, beginning with county histories. She used Claude, an […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer October 21, 2024 Podcast

Customizing an Airtable Research Log for Tax Research

If you’ve studied tax records when tracking an ancestor, you know how much data there can be to enter. Tax records are invaluable in research because they were taken annually, filling in the years between the federal census. The challenge comes in finding a good way to track and analyze the data. Airtable is my favorite research log tool, and by adding a linked table to the log, I can tame that tax data and […]

By Diana Elder October 20, 2024 Records, Research Tips

RLP 327: Finding DNA Test-Takers with Descendancy Research

In this episode of Research Like a Pro Genealogy, Diana and Nicole discuss using descendancy research to find DNA test takers. They explain how DNA evidence often involves identification of living individuals. The hosts outline the steps for descendancy research, emphasizing the importance of fully identifying the starting ancestor. Nicole shares a case study from her Dyer project, demonstrating how she identified her starting ancestor James Dyer and traced his children forward using various records […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer October 14, 2024 Podcast

Citations Made Easy with Genealogy Source Citations Simplified

Guest post by Lisa Stokes AG® Do you find genealogy source citations confusing, time-consuming, or just plain frustrating? You’re not alone! Initially, most genealogists feel frustrated, confused, and unsure of how to properly cite sources. I struggled with crafting citations until I learned essential punctuation guidelines and discovered a simple two-part citation system. The Importance of Citations in Genealogy Research It’s easy to treat citations as an afterthought when you’re intensely focused on chasing a […]

By Diana Elder October 7, 2024 Research Tips

RLP 326: Using AI with Research Planning

In this episode of the Research Like a Pro Genealogy podcast, Nicole and Diana discuss the importance of research planning in genealogy and how AI tools can be used to assist in this process. They emphasize that a thorough research plan helps genealogists stay focused on their objectives, pick up where they left off if their work is interrupted, and approach problems systematically. The hosts break down the elements of a research plan, which include […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer October 7, 2024 Podcast

Genealogy Education through Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG)

Genealogy education can take many forms, including attending institutes. My first institute was in person at the 2018 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), where I learned about DNA from expert Karen Stanbary. I wrote about my experience in A Newbie’s Experience at SLIG – the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. Since then, I’ve taken one to two virtual institutes each year and have learned about Missouri research, colonial US emigration, southern states research, and […]

By Diana Elder October 5, 2024 Accreditation, Research Tips

RLP 325: Using AI with Locality Research

In this episode of the Research Like a Pro Genealogy podcast, Diana and Nicole discuss using AI in locality research, focusing on the Isabella Weatherford project. They emphasize the importance of locality guides in genealogical research, as they provide essential historical context, help researchers understand available records, and shed light on migration patterns and local events that may have impacted ancestors’ lives. The hosts explore how AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity can […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer September 30, 2024 Podcast

Using AI in Report Writing: Isabella Weatherford Project Part 6

As genealogists, we constantly seek ways to enhance our research and streamline our writing process. Writing a research report can seem overwhelming, so using artificial intelligence (AI) tools can help us overcome writer’s block. This is the final blog post in my series on how I used AI for a complete project about Isabella Weatherford. Previously, I wrote about writing the objective, transcribing a lengthy pension document for the timeline, making a locality guide, creating […]

By Diana Elder September 27, 2024 Artificial Intelligence, Research Tips

RLP 324: Using AI for Timelines and Analysis

In this episode of the Research Like a Pro Genealogy podcast, Diana and Nicole discuss using AI in timeline creation and source analysis. Diana shares her experience using AI tools to transcribe, abstract, summarize, and analyze documents for her Isabella Weatherford project. She explains how AI can be a powerful ally in genealogical research, but emphasizes the importance of verifying AI-generated information and using your own genealogical expertise to interpret the results. Diana used AI […]

By Nicole Elder Dyer September 23, 2024 Podcast

Elizabeth Packard and Review of “The Woman They Could not Silence”

Have you come across instances of women in your family history who were institutionalized for mental illness? You may have wondered what situation would warrant entry into an asylum. Under coverture in the common law practiced in most of the United States, when a woman married, her husband took control of her property, and she lost all her rights to govern her affairs. That extended to determining whether she was sane or not. Unbelievable to […]

By Diana Elder September 20, 2024 Research Tips

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