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 wall and they can be so very frustrating! When your research hits a roadblock, it’s …
Group Ancestry DNA Matches to Break Through Brick Walls Read More »
There’s a lot of hilarious genealogy humor floating around the internet, here are ten finds that made us laugh the loudest. 1. General Relativity is a Breeze 2. How Will You Be Remembered? 🙂 3. It’s the Truth 4. My Family History is Finally Complete! (um, no) 5. Family History Secrets …
Genealogy Humor: 10 Comic Finds That Made Us Laugh Out Loud Read More »
The U.S. Census Age Search for years 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2010 involves restrictions, guidelines, and even fees – but it all might well be worthwhile if it helps you to fill in more recent blanks in your family tree.
As you dive deeper into your family history you will likely run across terminology that you have not seen before or that you may not fully understand. Even those of us who have made history a profession will sometimes run across terms that are no longer used or that have a specific application that’s unfamiliar. This guide explores confusing military terms from the Civil War and the American Revolution to help you with your genealogy research.
If you’ve ever transcribed the text of an old genealogy record by hand, you know how time-consuming the task can be. Even if you just plan to pull out the most important information from a record to include in your family tree the process can be daunting. Many of us simply never find the time for …
How to Instantly Transcribe Your Genealogy Records for Free Read More »
As interest in family history research continues to grow more and more researchers are taking the time to educate themselves about genealogy best practices so they can grow an accurate family tree. Family historians are understanding the value of doing their own unique research, avoiding copying the trees of others, and taking more time to properly source their trees for the benefit of everyone. But a surprising number are not taking the time to do the most important thing they can do for their research.
By Alice Plouchard Stelzer The dictionary tells us that being invisible is being inconspicuous, unobtrusive, and unnoticeable. From a researcher’s point of view, tracing the life movements of invisible women creates many challenges. In the Preface to Notable American Women, editors Janet and Edward James said, “Biographies of women, especially little-known ones, pose special problems …
Having Trouble Researching Your Female Ancestors? Here’s Some Help Read More »
I’ve been doing family history research for 20 years and, like everyone, I’ve encountered a few brick walls. Although I have been successful in breaking most of those down using solid research techniques, one or two remain. One in particular has haunted me for more than a decade – the parents of one of my 3rd great grandparents. Unable to locate this information I have had to leave this branch of my tree undeveloped.
The Ellis Island records website has long been a great place to find free ancestry information. Providing instant access to more than 50 million immigration records, it’s a vital resource for anyone with US immigrant ancestry from the late 19th and early 20th centuries (earlier records can be found here). A couple of years ago Ellis …
Did Your Ancestors Come Through Ellis Island? Here’s How to Find Out Read More »
Thank you to the family history research site Crestleaf for sharing this fun take on why people didn’t smile in old photographs. Ever wonder why your ancestors aren’t grinning from ear to ear in those faded black and white family portraits? Though there are many speculations and theories as to why people donned such serious …
Why Weren’t Your Ancestors Smiling in Those Old Photos? The Reason Revealed Read More »