By Lori Samuelson Most families have stories that have been passed down for generations. Some legends are poignant, while others are fanciful. Only through careful research can the accuracy of those tall tales be discovered. Caution is needed in blindly believing a family story. Over the years, many clients have wanted me to prove their…
By Roccie Hill The first thing fledgling genealogists do if they have disposable income is to subscribe to any or many of the fee-based databases for genealogical research. It makes sense. These are the companies that collect, index, and disseminate information we so passionately want. But is this the wisest path for amateur or professional…
By Jeanne Rollberg It seems to be a historic era for women – and maybe eventually women’s genealogy? In America, two women are nominated by their respective political parties, one major, to run for the presidency. Around the world, female leaders like Chancellor Angela Merkel are shaping the future. Queen Elizabeth last year became Britain’s…
By Anne Sherman Recording family history research is probably the one area that many beginners think little about. They may add a tree online with companies such as Ancestry etc., but there is so much more you can do to keep your research organised. Online Trees These all have their place in your research and…
By Jeanne Rollberg After commemorations of the September 11, 2001 attacks this week and after America’s birthday celebration on July 4, researchers about America are reminded: It’s time to re-dedicate ourselves to investigating history, our immigrant ancestors, and their families’ contributions to the United States. When we seek comprehensive information on forebears and the contextual…
By Ericka Grizzard Do you have a difficult time thinking about your ancestors beyond the abstract idea of the few facts that you can reel off about them? I know I do. There are certain ancestors that I feel a connection towards, but for many of them I honestly couldn’t tell you much about them…
By Roccie Hill How often has each of us “accidentally” spent multiple hours researching various online sites, only to have zero firm results? How often have we packed the dogs and the kids off to family, made a day’s journey to a county or state office to find a document we are sure will be…
By Jeanne Rollberg Could research in Pennsylvania, The Keystone State, provide the key to unlocking some of your ancestors’ pasts? If you plan to attend a conference there, such as the upcoming FGS one in Pittsburgh, you may easily supplement your visit with trips to outstanding nearby research facilities as well as museums and exhibits…
By Tina Sansone I came across some helpful aids while doing your family history while traveling. Here are some items to have for your genealogical travel kit. Stationery: Notebook, pens, and files or folders in which to keep your valuable documents, photographs and local information. Documents: Copies (not originals) of vital records and other archival…
By Ericka Gizzard I think there are many of us who have been lured in by the promise of that rippling green leaf, next to our ancestor’s name on Ancestry.com, filled with records and other users’ information. 47 hints?! That’s incredible! Those people in the commercials are so lucky! When I began researching my family…