Have you ever wondered about elections of the past and how they influenced our ancestors’ lives? What issues were important to the men and women in our family trees? What challenges did they face when it came to exercising their right to vote? And in the case of minorities, women, immigrants and the poor, what …
Voting Created Some Fascinating Genealogy Records! Here’s Where to Find Them Read More »
By Lisa Lisson “No one is interested in my story.” — “Me? I was just a housewife.” — “Our family did not do anything special.” — “Our family never had much.” These are some of the responses I received when I began asking my grandmother (at the time in her late 80s) about her life and family history. So, …
The Vital Genealogy Research Step You May Have Missed Read More »
Ongoing education is one of the keys to productive genealogy research. Whether you’re taking a fun online family history course like The Genealogy Journey or curling up with some new genealogy books — you’ll be surprised how much there is to learn in the ever-changing world of modern family history research. One of our favorite ways …
15 Genealogy Books You Can Read for Free With Kindle Unlimited Read More »
This type of mistake is so common that it was recently discovered that an entire line in Hillary Rodham Clinton’s professionally constructed tree was completely wrong. Here’s how to avoid it.
Whether family history research is your newest hobby or a lifelong passion — pitfalls are everywhere and sometimes they’re hard to spot. From forgetting to back up your data to limiting your research options, these important dos and don’ts will help you avoid some of the most common issues facing family historians today. 1. DO interview family …
The 12 Important Genealogy Dos and Don’ts You Need to Know Read More »
Genealogy is an exciting adventure into a unique past — that of your very own family. It’s full of twists and turns, validation and insight. What could be better? But family history research is, unfortunately, also full of pitfalls. Pitfalls that can hinder or derail your research if you don’t avoid them…or at least try …
How to Fail at Family History Research in 10 Simple Steps Read More »
Are you interested in finally searching out the truth behind that old family story about a Native American ancestor? Or perhaps you already know that the story is true, but you’re not quite sure where to go next. Luckily, there are many online guides, records collections and specialized resources that can help you on your journey. Here’s where …
Do You Have Hidden Native American Ancestry? Here’s How to Find Out Read More »
The 1940 census of the United States is a particularly exciting one for a number of reasons, and has been integral to many of us in our genealogy research. But there is a critical element of this massive family history resource that often gets overlooked. Built into the 16th census of the USA was a …
The “Secret” Details in the 1940 Census You May Be Missing Read More »
One of the most important things a family historian can do is get organized. It makes research easier in the short term, and you’ll thank yourself repeatedly for it in the future. Many genealogists, including myself, use Evernote — which has both an excellent online and downloadable system for capturing data and organizing information. There is also …
Finally! A Super Easy, Visual Way to Organize Your Genealogy Data Read More »
By Susan Wallin Mosey Is it weird that I have a graveyard kit? How else can you go grave hunting in an organized and well-equipped manner? Mine is stored in a pink bucket with a decal on it. (I’m a very girly grave hunter.) The bucket contains all the stuff I need for proper gravestone …
Do You Have a Graveyard Kit? Here are the 13 Things I Keep in Mine Read More »