Last week, I was in a bit of a hurry. Researching on the fly is never a good idea. One doesn’t do one’s best work that way. What was I doing wrong? Failing to study a document for myself when…
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Yes, it IS possible for you to find them! The use of genetic genealogy— defined as DNA testing in combination with traditional genealogy to trace lineages—has transformed the ability of adoptees, those with an unknown father, and donor-conceived individuals, or…
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It is stated that if you go far enough back in time, for enough generations, you will find that we’re all related. So true. However, it IS fun to make the connections and figure out exactly where and how certain…
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If you are new to family research, you are probably new to filling out pedigree charts or creating a family tree. Whether you are hand filling out a paper chart or entering data into fields in a software program, it…
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Yesterday, I realized that I needed to re-upload my husband’s Family Tree DNA results to GEDmatch.com. For those not familiar with GEDmatch, it is a wonderful, collaborative website that “provides DNA and genealogical analysis tools for amateur and professional researchers…
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I don’t claim to be a genetic DNA expert. The subject matter is so complicated I still feel like a newbie and I’m still learning daily. But I HAVE learned much and I’m happy to pass on my knowledge. Following…
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The most common question I am asked about genealogy or family research is, “What DNA test should I take?” This week, I have received a couple of emails from friends and family members asking what test to take. Last week, a…
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While you’re all together this Thanksgiving, make recording family history a priority. A new smartphone app, called StoryCorps, not only makes it easier to record one-on-one interviews with your loved ones, but it also allows anyone to become a documentarian….
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The majority of what I know about proper standards regarding genealogical research techniques I learned the hard way. I didn’t have anyone to teach me, so I made a number of mistakes and years later I am still fixing them….
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30 Questions– A top priority for any family historian should be to preserve the oral history and stories of the persons in their lives still living, including parents, aunts and uncles, and especially elderly grandparents or great-grandparents. Taking the time…
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