Family History Daily

GEDmatch Offers Completely Free DNA Reports and Cousin Matches: We’ll Show You How to Use It

Some time ago, you decided that you wanted to know more about yourself and your family history beyond what the paper trail revealed, so you purchased a DNA kit. Like me, you likely had a number of questions answered and were faced with a surprise or two. If you’re the curious type (and you probably are because you’re reading this article!), you now have even more questions about your DNA results and genetic genealogy in general. Perhaps you’re ready to take yet another step and have even more questions answered. And that’s where GEDmatch comes in. Read on to find out how to use your raw DNA data to discover more about your genetic past through this free resource.

Plan a Family Reunion in Just 7 Days With This Simple Guide

If you’ve been hoping to gather your family (or distant genetic cousins) together for a reunion, now’s the time. The majority of family reunions, 65.8% in fact, are held in the summer when vacation time, outdoor venues and easier travel  make the process simpler for everyone. But planning a family reunion can seem like a truly monumental task. This simple guide will help you break down the steps and arrange your get together in just one week. Get ready for an adventure!

A Gravesite Can Reveal Remarkable Details About Your Ancestor, IF You Can Find It

Have you taken the time to find the gravesite of each of your ancestors? If you haven’t, you could could be missing a key part of your genealogy puzzle. Although we may spend years trying to find records that were created throughout our ancestors’ lives, it is sometimes the information about their deaths that can be the most revealing.

4 Unique Family Tree Templates for Genealogy, Craft or School Projects

Are you looking for a beautiful family tree template for a craft or school project, to display in your home or share with family? A blank, printable family tree can be used for all of these purposes and more. The trick is finding one that’s styled just right for your needs – which is why we have created four unique (and free) family tree options that you can easily print out. You’ll find images of all of the tree templates below.

Why You Should Start Using Pinterest for Genealogy Right Now (and How to Do It)

If you’re one of the 175 million people around the world who use Pinterest every month, you probably already know that there’s a lot to love. Maybe you think of Pinterest as a great place to collect clever home decor ideas or as the best spot to peruse beautiful images of tasty food (who doesn’t?) – but did you know that Pinterest is so much more than that? It may be the free genealogy tool you’ve been missing.

Tax Records Could Offer Surprisingly Rich Details About Your Ancestors

From Mesopotamia to ancient Rome, it seems tax collection has been around since the beginning of civilization. But while many find them to be a burden, the records left behind are priceless to any family historian. We’ve taken a look at what’s available and how to access these records online.

The Ultimate Quick Reference Guide to the U.S. Census for Genealogy

U.S. Census records offer a unique look into the past and a chance to discover valuable details about your family’s history. Our quick guide for genealogy is designed to help beginner and intermediate family history researchers alike by addressing basic questions about using the census for genealogy research and providing detailed summaries of the information found in each census year.

Countless Americans Never Returned Home After War: Find Their Burial Records Here

Looking for information about a family member who passed away while serving in a conflict can certainly present unique challenges for the family history researcher. In addition to the sense of loss that comes with knowing your family member’s life ended too soon, the act of finding the true story of their service can be daunting task, especially if the loved one’s remains were never returned to the United States.

So, how do you take those first steps when trying to unearth information about one of your ancestors who lived and died during wartime? While government information from organizations like the Veterans Administration are often the first places we think to look, there are other resources that may be just as useful in your search.