Are you one of those people who bought an Ancestry DNA kit but don’t know how to effectively use your DNA results to break through brick walls? Trust me, you are not alone! Every tree has at least one brick …
Nearly every one of us has ancestors who lived, worked and died in a country not our own. And, for this reason, we sometimes need to leave our comfort zone behind and head into unfamiliar territory with our family history research.
Depending on the condition of the document, its date and the handwriting therein, original records can be beyond frustrating to read. These tips will help you make use of them in your family history research.
As original as a child’s first name might seem, it often offers clues into a family’s near and, sometimes, very distant past. Given names link generations of family through repetition and can be a powerful tool to push our research to greater depths. To shed an even brighter light on this research opportunity we must understand the influences behind naming traditions.
Ask any seasoned genealogist and they will tell you just how important old maps are to their research. In fact, almost no other resource paints a better picture of your ancestor’s world. Here’s where to find them online.
This special checklist contains nearly every major record type that could hold detailed information about your ancestors. Use it as a reference to help you discover more about their lives and overcome stubborn brick walls.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, many U.S. states conducted their own censuses. These schedules were taken in the space between the decades and are packed with information. In this guide you will find details about what these important documents contain, as well as a full list of every single state census and where you can search them for yourself.
Every family has one great champion, and mine was Minnie Doyle. Had it not been for her story my family history might still be a mystery. Yet, Minnie was not my great-grandmother…she was my great-aunt.
Whatever your reasons were for investigating your genetic past, the world of DNA research is always changing and there is always more to learn. If you have only tested with one company you may be missing out on incredibly valuable information that can help you grow your family tree. In this guide we are going to take a look at how you can use the MyHeritage DNA platform to discover cousins around the world at absolutely no cost.
Having a hard time finding an ancestor, or two, or three? Some individuals can be nearly impossible to locate, but there are strategies that will make your job easier. Expert Bridget Sunderlin shares her ten favorites.