Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to deal with the documents you acquire in your research. For client projects, we typically arrange the documents that correspond with a research report into a PDF file with each image copy labelled and a citation attached. We discuss how to do this with Canva and Word. We also discuss downloading images, naming protocol, organization, copyright, and workflow. Links How to Create a Digital Document Storing Protocol by Diana at Family Locket Using Canva to Add Source Citations to Document Images by Alice Childs at Family Locket Research Like a...
When you are writing a family history article or book, have you wondered if you could use a photograph, quote, or record image legally? That town map you found might be perfect to illustrate your point in a research report or presentation, but can you use it? With the proliferation of images and information across the internet, plagiarism and copyright issues need to be addressed. As family historians and genealogists we want to be ethical and on the right side of the law. Although copyright law can be confusing there are some general guidelines that aid us in navigating these...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about portfolio element four: the research report prepared for another person. To apply to the Board for Certification of Genealogists you must submit a research report that meets standards. You cannot submit a report that focuses on your own ancestors. Listen in as we discuss the requirements, best practices for reports, and the rubrics for grading this portfolio element. Links Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) BCG Application Guide (2019) BCG Rubrics (2019) BCG Evaluation Process Research Like a Pro eCourse Study Group - more information and email list Research Like a...
Can we tell the story of our great-grandmothers when few records naming them exist? What sources can we use to weave a narrative that will draw us closer to them as well as honor their contributions? My great, great-grandmother, Eliza Ann Isenhour died in Indian Territory at the age of 48. According to family stories, she was full-blooded Cherokee. I wanted to know more about this woman whose DNA I carry. Researching her story revealed a life spent on the western frontier, struggling to raise a family, like many other women of the late 1800s. Knowing that I'd be presenting...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to write about your genetic genealogy research. After keeping track of your searches in your research log, you are ready to write about what you found in a report. We discuss what to include in the report, how to discuss genetic connections, and ideas for making the report flow. Links DNA Research Reports – the Ultimate Finish by Robin at Family Locket Writing a Research Report on a DNA Research Project by Diana at Family Locket - includes Diana's sample report about Benjamin Cox Research Like a Pro with DNA...
Do you have an ancestor who emigrated from another country yet left no story about the why and how? Leaving a home and traveling to a new place, learning a new language and culture - these are significant events in our family story that can strengthen us in our own challenges. How do you discover the story of an ancestor? The Research Like a Pro process will not only help you organize a research project to break down a brick wall, it can give you the tools needed to research and write your ancestor's narrative. Nancy Gilbride Casey is an...
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 of the evidence and incorporated it into the report. My research report was the culmination of a project I did for a Research Like a...
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 your relatives. DNA plus genealogical records give the ultimate confirmation that your ancestors' identities are verified and that they are biologically connected to you. Some...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about the most efficient way to write reports. We discuss the pros and cons of writing as you research and writing at the end of your research. We discuss the process of analyzing the source and information in the records you find in your research notes and report, and when to correlate the information that you find. Listen in to find out what conclusion we came to - is it better to write as you research or write your report at the end of your research? Links RLP 9: Report Writing- Episode...
In today's episode of the podcast we are talking all about why you should write your results at the end of a research project. There are so many reasons, but probably the most important is that the act of writing about something helps you make connections and solve problems. And of course, it also helps you to leave the project knowing that you can pick it back up in a year and know exactly where you were when you left off. We will talk about choosing the correct voice. This depends on your reader. Then we will talk about the...
