Imagine reading a genealogical article and discovering that your name has been published along with your DNA information and conclusions about your ancestors. How would you feel? How would you react? Some people may not mind if their private information is published. In contrast, others – probably a majority – don’t appreciate their names, parents’ names, grandparents’ names, etc., published for anyone to see. It is about privacy and ethics. Privacy and Ethics We value privacy in our DNA test results. We want DNA testing companies to safeguard our information and protect it from the granted exposure without our permission....
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...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is an interview with Alice Childs. Alice is a professional genealogist and recent graduate of our Research Like a Pro with DNA study group. She is sharing the DNA research process she used to discover a client’s immigrant ancestors’ origins. She is also sharing the full report, so scroll down to find the link to her services pages where it’s listed as a work sample! We are also giving away a DNA kit to one lucky winner in conjunction with today’s episode, so check out how to enter below. Ancestry DNA Kit Giveaway...
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...
In our podcast episode today, Diana and I discuss how to put information from records into a table to help you organize the data and make connections. Nicole tells about a land study that she did and organizing lots of deeds by clustering the rows in the table by the names of the witnesses. Diana talks about showing data about a person’s age from each census year with a table. Join us for a discussion of using tables for research reports! Links How to Add a File to Multiple Folders in Google Drive – YouTube Google help article Go to...
Have you been wanting to try the research like a pro process, but are feeling overwhelmed with all that you have to do? Maybe you have done the process once, or started the process, but got busy and didn’t finish. Diana and I have been brainstorming a new way for everyone to practice the research like a pro process in a simple, easy to follow format. We thought a daily challenge might work! So if you want a good start to genealogy in 2019, using best practices and effective habits, we encourage you to sign up for our daily challenge....
I wish I were in Salt Lake City! Diana is attending SLIG, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, this week and I’m feeling left out. SLIG is a week-long advanced genealogical education conference sponsored by the Utah Genealogical Association (UGA). She is taking Course 13: A Practical Approach: Establishing Genealogical Proof with DNA. You can read more about it here -scroll down to the section about Course 13. To see what Diana is learning at SLIG this week, follow her on twitter: @DianaElder11. You can also see other tweets about SLIG by searching twitter for #SLIG2018 and following @SLIGinstitute. Tonight, the International Commission...
Have you been thinking of joining our upcoming Research Like a Pro Study Group? You may have wondered if you had enough research experience or if it would be worth the money and time. Participants from the inaugural group came from varied backgrounds, but each had a positive experience, learning skills to help them move to the next level of research expertise. Today self-proclaimed research novice, Nancy Brown, tells her story. Am I Up to It? A Novice’s Questions About Joining a Research Study Group by Nancy Brown Although I’d not done much actual research beyond exploring the tools of...
