Beginner Genealogy Research Help

What You Will and Will Not Learn by Taking a DNA Test for Ancestry

As more and more people choose to test their DNA in an attempt to better understand their family’s past, a lot of questions are popping up about what a genetic test can and can not tell you about your ancestry. In this article we’ll go over some things you will learn by testing yourself, or your family members, and some things you won’t be able to uncover unless you combine your results with traditional genealogy research.

Ancestry vs MyHeritage vs Findmypast: What’s the Difference and Which One is Best?

Ancestry, MyHeritage and Findmypast are the leaders in providing subscription-based genealogy records but a lot of people are confused about the differences between them. Which of these genealogy sites is the best? Which one has more records? Do they all offer family trees? Should you try all three or stick with one? What is the cost?

6 Uncommon Places to Find a Missing Birth Date for Your Ancestor

We all have those ancestors who make us want to pull our hair out. You know, the ones we just can’t find key pieces of information about – like a birth or death date? Locating a date of birth can be especially difficult because oftentimes only ages are listed on old records. And even on records that usually do list a birth date this detail is sometimes left blank because the informant didn’t have the needed information (this is common on death certificates). But finding an actual date of birth (rather than an estimated year) is important to your research. This article will go over a few common places to find birth dates and then jump into several sources that are often overlooked by researchers.

The 20 Largest Genealogy Record Collections Online: Have You Searched Them?

There are literally billions and billions of genealogical records now available online. From the huge databases of paid subscription sites like Ancestry and MyHeritage, to the varied collections of FamilySearch and other free initiatives – details about our ancestors’ lives are more accessible than ever. And every single one of the these collections is vitally important and needs to be preserved – whether the database contains one record or a billion. But have you ever wondered what the largest collections on the web are, and who holds them? This article will show you.

Which Genealogy DNA Test is the Best? A Detailed Comparison Guide to Help You Decide

Ready to take an ancestry DNA test to better understand your family’s past, but aren’t sure which one to choose? You’re not alone. Several excellent DNA tests for genealogy are now available for a reasonable cost, but picking the right one for you can be very confusing. What are the differences between each DNA test …

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Chinese-American Genealogy: A Beginner’s Guide to Tracing Your Ancestry

The story of Chinese immigrants in America is one of hardship, struggle, perseverance, and solidarity. Although a good deal of Chinese immigration to the US has taken place more recently, it can be traced all the way back to the 1820s. This guide to researching your Chinese ancestry will help you gain an understanding of the history of this migration and discover techniques and free resources for exploring your own family’s past.