Despite how valuable census records have become to family history researchers, they were not created for this purpose. For this reason we need to understand everything we can about this go-to resource if we are to walk away with the most accurate data available. Here are 9 census facts that may surprise you.
The main Ancestry search page is the fastest way to look for your ancestors in Ancestry’s billions of searchable records. And, while its not always the best way to search, it can be a very effective tool when used correctly. Here’s how to make the most of it.
Probate records, legal documents created after someone dies, are invaluable genealogy tools. Whether or not your ancestor left a will, these records establish genealogical relationships, provide key details and illuminate the world your ancestor lived in. Here’s how to put them to use.
Recently I have been searching diligently for my husband’s German ancestors and I’ve run into that age-old genealogy problem – how do I distinguish between two unrelated people who have the same name, similar ages and live near each other? Or two people from the same family with the same name?
ThruLines, one of Ancestry’s newly announced features, is yet another advancement in their quest to connect DNA testing and traditional genealogy research more seamlessly. Here’s how to put it to use in your family tree today.
If you’re not sure what a family group sheet is, or you’ve never gotten around to using one in your genealogy research, you’re not alone. While the concept of a family group sheet is about as basic as it gets, not every family historian out there has had the chance to embrace this clever method of research and organization.
Family history research is never complete. There are always more records to be discovered, photos to be identified, and additional connections to uncover. But maybe you’ve reached the point when you want to share what you’ve learned so far. Here are some great options.
Upon first glance, the U.S. Census appears to be a powerful source for genealogists. With its wide array of information, from ages and family relationships to countries of origin, it seems to be overflowing with facts that can help us follow the lives of our ancestors across time. But, I say, “Researchers, beware!”
MyHeritage has announced a new genealogy tool that will allow its DNA users to more easily discover how they may be related to their genetic matches. This technology, called the Theory of Family Relativity™, uses family tree information and historical records from a variety of sources to attempt to find and display a common ancestor for matching individuals in the MyHeritage DNA database.
Women were just as important to a household and community hundreds of years ago as they are today but, thanks to laws and social ideas that limited women’s roles and rights, their contributions and names are often lost to history. To uncover your female ancestors’ lives, you’re going to have to work harder, dig deeper and be more creative.