Lori Samuelson

How Our Ancestors’ Love Affair With Liquor Can Provide Fascinating Clues to the Past

‘Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry – yet it’s difficult to envision our strait-laced ancestors as engaging in celebrations involving alcohol. My dad’s side of the family were teetotalers (those who practice abstinence from alcoholic beverages) so I didn’t initially investigate records linking them with liquor. That was a mistake!

4 Big Genealogy Mistakes That May Be Hurting Your Research (and How to Avoid Them)

Years ago, as a beginner genealogist, I held many misplaced beliefs that wasted my time and valuable resources. Looking back, I wish I had known that these ideas were hindering my career as a family historian. Here are four mistakes that have limited my genealogy research over the years.