How To Avoid A Brick Wall And Research Your Ancestors With Common Names

Researching ancestors with common names can be a challenge, but with the right strategies, you can identify who your ancestor was.

Research SkillsJessica NeavesAugust 2, 2022common names, Surname researchComment

How To Effortlessly Analyze Old Obituaries And Verify Their Clues

Old obituaries are an essential genealogy resource. But how do you know they’re accurate?

Research SkillsJessica NeavesJuly 5, 2022Obituaries, Newspapers, Online resourcesComment

10 Terrific Resources For Identifying Your Immigrant Ancestor’s Hometown

Finding an immigrant ancestor’s hometown is a goal for many genealogy researchers. There are several key US resources to help you uncover your ancestor’s birthplace.

6 Google Search Tips For Genealogy That Will Save You Hours Of Time

Not having luck Googling your ancestors? There are several ways to how you can use Google for genealogy more successfully and save hours of time.

Research SkillsJessica NeavesFebruary 22, 2022Google, search tips, Research skills, Online researchComment

Why Should You Use Ethnic Newspapers For Genealogy Research?

Ethnic newspapers are a great genealogy resource for searching for immigrant or African American (or other POC) ancestors.

12 Tips For Getting Back Focus And Motivation In Your Genealogy Research

Genealogy research burnout happens to most everyone. Here’s 12 tips on how to get your motivation and excitement for researching your family tree back.

Miscellaneous, Research SkillsJessica NeavesAugust 3, 2021Motivation, Research skills, BurnoutComment

Can’t Find Your Female Ancestors? You Need To Try Using Religious Records

If you can’t find your women ancestors, try religious records. These valuable resources began before civil registration and can have details not in other records.

Research SkillsJessica NeavesMay 25, 2021women, Church records, Religious records, synagogue recordsComment

How To Trace Women In Your Family Tree With Veterans’ Pension Records

If you can’t find your female ancestors, try researching them with veterans’ pension records.

How Probate Records Can Help You Find Your Female Ancestors

Finding your female ancestors can be a big challenge for genealogists. Probate records are a great resource to help you trace the women in your tree.

Genealogy Resources, Research SkillsJessica NeavesMay 4, 2021court records, Probate records, women, Wills, GuardianshipsComment

Solve Your Genealogy Brick Wall: 10 Ways To Widen Your Research Net

One method to busting brick walls is to change up where and how you’re researching. Here’s 10 tips on how to widen your research net.

Solve Your Genealogy Brick Wall: Review and Analyze Your Research

One of the first strategies to take when trying to bust down a brick wall is to review and analyze your existing research.

Research SkillsJessica NeavesMarch 2, 2021Brick walls, Research skills, Research methodsComment

7 Simple Steps To Creating A Genealogy Timeline (And Why You Need One)

Timelines are super helpful for your genealogy research and can help with your brick walls.

7 Tips For Creating A Successful Genealogy Research Plan

Here are 7 tips on how to create a genealogy research plan.

Organization, Research SkillsJessica NeavesJanuary 19, 2021research plans, goals, research logs, planning, organizationComment

11 Smart Strategies For Searching For Ancestors Who Changed Their Name

Researching ancestor name changes can be a challenge, but there are several resources and strategies you can use to find their original name.

How 250,000 Children Rode Orphan Trains To New Families Across The US

Research Skills, Genealogy ResourcesJessica NeavesDecember 15, 2020Orphanages, OrphansComment

5 Things to Look For in Probate Records to Help Trace Your Ancestors

Have you tried looking for the wills and estate records of your ancestors? Estate records should be one of the top records you look for because they can be jam-packed with information!

31 Family History Interview Questions To Bring Out Their Memories

The holidays are a great time to ask your family questions about their experiences and memories. Here’s 31 questions to get you started.

Research SkillsJessica NeavesNovember 12, 2020Oral histories, Family interview questions Comment

How to Strengthen Your Cemetery Research Skills to Find More Clues

Genealogy research in cemeteries is essential. Cemetery research can give you a lot of clues and be a substitute when vital records can’t be found.

Research SkillsJessica NeavesNovember 10, 2020Cemeteries, Find a Grave, GravestonesComment

What is a nom dit and why did my French Canadian ancestor have one?

When I first started researching my French Canadian branches, I couldn’t figure out what on earth “dit” meant and why these people had two names! Click to read more about nom dit and what these mean for your family.

Research SkillsJessica NeavesNovember 3, 2020French Canadian, Nom dit, Dit names, QuebecComment

What To Know About Alien Registration Files And Where To Find Them

Have you heard of Alien Files, AKA A-Files? If not, and if you have an immigrant ancestor who was in the US in the 1940s and 1950s, you could be missing out on some great resources!