Do you have Shakers in your family tree? What are Shakers in the first place? Here, you will learn about this unique religious sect and how to find information on any ancestors you had who were part...
Category - Genealogy Resources
Free Genealogy Resources to Bring Your Ancestors to Life
Do you need some excellent free sources of online genealogy records? Here are three websites that are totally free and extremely useful for any genealogist.
How Popular is Genealogy?
How popular is genealogy? It is something that is portrayed in the media as being more popular than ever. However, is this really true? Here is a look at how popular genealogy really is and why it...
A Review of Family Tree Magazine
Are you interested in reading or subscribing to a new genealogy magazine that has something for everyone? Family Tree Magazine is the one for you. Here is a review of this amazing stalwart of the...
Your Foot Shape and Your Genealogy
Have you ever heard of foot shape genealogy? It is a concept out of the 19th century that still has some adherents today. It is based on the belief that the shape of your foot can tell you one of...
What are Railroad Records?
Did your ancestor work for the railroad? If so, you'll want to explore railroad records to find out more about them. Here's what you need to know to find them.
Did the Document Trail Run Dry? Here Are More Places to Look
Did the document trail run dry, leaving you with a brick wall ancestor? Here are some alternative places to look for info that may break that wall down yet.
What are Some of the Best Genealogy Magazines Out There?
Do you read genealogical magazines? If not, you should. They are invaluable resources for learning new skills, connecting with other researchers of your family lines, and discovering historical...
Explore Your Ancestry, Enrich Your Life
From immigration records to marriage records, historical documents offer a view into the past. With more and more databases becoming publicly available, the search into your family’s history can be...
A Treasure Trove of Colonial History
The Massachusetts Bay Colony and Boston itself date back to 1620. The entire New England area is rich in colonial history, much of it faithfully documented by local historians. You’ll find a...
The Different Types of Libraries Used in Genealogical Research, and Their Unique Values
There are several different types of genealogy research libraries you can use, and they each have their own, unique collections. Here's what you need to know.
Why You Should Incorporate Periodicals into Your Genealogy Research
What are periodicals, and how can they help you with your genealogy research? These are actually highly valuable and woefully underutilized tools you need.
Gustave Anjou: An Intriguing Career of Genealogical Fraud
Are you familiar with the name Gustave Anjou? If you aren't, you should be. He is a famous genealogical con man. Here's his story, and how he did it.
Using Local Historical and Genealogical Societies to Further Your Genealogy Research
What types of things will you find at local historical and genealogical societies? It varies, of course, but you may find valuable research resources.
A Review of the New England Historic Genealogical Society
Do you have New England ancestry? If you do, you will want to look into joining the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Here's what it has to offer.
Genealogy Apps to Help You With On the Road Research
Genealogy is mobile in the 21st century. If you use mobile devices and are a serious genealogist, you need these apps to do your best work wherever you happen to be.
Guest Books: A Genealogical Treasure Trove
Here's how to use the signatures in guest books you or your relatives may have inherited to further your own genealogical research.
DNA Testing: What the Different Types Can Tell You
DNA testing is a very popular way of doing genealogy these days. It can open doors and solve mysteries that no records exist to solve. DNA does not lie, either. It always tells you the truth about...
How to Order Your Ancestor’s Social Security Application
Have you heard of Social Security applications as a means of genealogical research? If this is a new record source to you, here's what you need to know.
The Family Tree Guidebook to Europe: Your Essential Guide to Trace Your Genealogy in Europe
Each week I like to share an invaluable resource that has helped me in my genealogy endeavors. The Family Tree Guidebook to Europe will help you chart your research course to find your European...
Tax Records: More Information Than You Think
Have you started using tax records to research the lives of your ancestors? If not, you should. Tax records offer a lot of information you never imagined.
Genealogy Online
Here’s a wonderful book from Elizabeth Crowe that I found very helpful in my genealogy research. I currently have an older edition and I’m looking forward to purchasing the up-to...
Sicilian Genealogy and Heraldry
Sicilian Genealogy and Heraldry is a new book by one of Sicily’s foremost historians, Louis Mendola. He’s been consulted by the Vatican, the BBC, the New York Times, The History Channel...
Explore Your German Ancestry
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide: How to Trace Your Germanic Ancestry in Europe I recently purchased this book on Kindle to help me locate my missing German ancestors. I’ve found a wealth...
Genealogy Data: Frequently Occurring Surnames from Census 2000
The U.S. Census Bureau publishes a list of frequently occurring surnames from Census 2000. (Note: this data is from the 2000 census.) You can look through the list below of surnames that may show how...
Connect with Ancestors and Share Family Stories (FamilySearch Tree App)
I started using this app a few weeks ago and I’ve found it very easy and convenient. I can use my existing FamilySearch.org Family Tree account to view the details of my family tree, plus add...
Tracing Your Family Origins
If you’ve ever wondered about past relatives, you’re not alone. I’ve always been curious about my ancestors. Knowing where you come from is a wonderful feeling because it provides...
6 Questions To Ask Before Using The National Archives
I’ve been researching my family history since 1995 and it’s always a joy to look through the military documents at the National Archives. It’s exciting to learn new information...
Top 10 Genealogy Reference Books (plus 5 more)
I couldn't find myself stopping with only 10 genealogical books. There've been so many books that have helped me in my personal genealogy research in the past 25 years.
Genealogy offline: Finding family history records that are not online
Experienced genealogists know that the vast majority of valuable family history records are NOT online, but are housed in libraries, archives, historical societies and courthouses across the nation...