Reflecting on a Year of Genealogy? Learn from my mistakes in 2023! Census data, birth certificates & other lesser-known records provide rich details about your ancestors' lives.
Category - Research Tips
Did You Research Their Neighbors?
Do you have an elusive ancestor who didn't seem to leave any records behind? You can still discover important things about them. Here's how.
Every Family Historian Should Focus On These Three Things
Are you interested in becoming a better genealogist? Whether you're a beginner or a veteran, your research will improve if you focus on these three things.
5 Ways To Tell If Your Genealogy Research Is Accurate
How can you tell whether your genealogy research is accurate? Learn five ways to compare records, retrace sources, test assumptions, and use DNA evidence to check your family history.
Genealogy Debriefing After a Genealogy Trip
Have you been on a genealogy research trip, or are you planning on taking one soon? Don't forget proper debriefing when you get back. Here's how to do it.
How Given Names Can Help You Identify Your Ancestor
Trace a family relationship using given names, unusual spellings, and surnames passed down as middle names. Follow the Mathew Albritton Johnson example from census clues to land records.
What is an Acceptable Reasonable Conclusion in Genealogy?
Do you want to prove a relationship in genealogy, but lack direct evidence? You can still come up with an acceptable reasonable conclusion. Here's how.
Pitfalls You May Encounter in Middle Name Research
Middle names are important genealogical research tools. They can tell you about the political beliefs, personal values, friendships, business connections, and even earlier generations of the family...
The Do’s and Don’ts of Genealogy Research
Build a reliable family tree with six genealogy research habits: cite sources, verify claims, identify photos, check online trees, organize files, and back up your work.
Why Citing Sources is Crucial in Genealogy and How to Do it Right
Learn how to cite genealogy sources, record the details of books and online records, and keep evidence connected to the conclusions in your family tree.
What are the Four Best Free Genealogy Websites?
Here are the four best free genealogy websites you should be using, whether you have access to a membership site or are waiting until you are in a financial position to join one.
How to Use Women’s Clothing to Identify 19th Century Photographs
Clothing styles change over the decades today, just as they have done for centuries. Changing styles is not new. This is good news, because clothing styles can help you identify old photos.
How to Read Old Handwriting: A Primer
Learning how to read old fashioned handwriting is a craft, and one you need to know when working with ancient documents in genealogy. Here are some of the basics of how to read old handwriting.
Get With the Plan: Breaking Bad Genealogy Habits
Genealogy research, especially family time spent working on research together, brings the past into the present and brings families together. And it preserves the past for future generations.
Genealogy Again: Breathing New Life in Your Family Research
Do you need some ideas to make your genealogy research more interesting again? Here are four ideas to get you moving.