Understanding social and historical context can be critical at guarding against presentism and inaccurate assumptions in your genealogy research.Understanding Social Context Last year, I attended a genealogy-oriented writers’ workshop where we discussed crafting family histories and biographies. As a case study on which to practice, our instructor, Dr. Amy Harris (check her out on Instagram, @familyhistoryprof), presented us with her research into Mina, a Scottish woman of 1905 who had … [Read more...]
Genealogy Tips & Best Practices
As the world's highest rated genealogy research firm, the experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists have compiled a collection of genealogy tips and best practices to help you find YOUR ancestors! From methodology and education, to writing a family biography, we explain the who, what, where and why of family history research!
Meet Rachel, Project Manager for Legacy Tree Genealogists
Meet Rachel, one of Legacy Tree Genealogists talented project managers!Rachel Derenthal comes to Legacy Tree Genealogists with a background in business, accounting, and family history research. She originally obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Middle East Studies and Arabic from Brigham Young University however her post graduate jobs pushed her towards the field of business and accounting. In 2016 she decided to switch career paths and enrolled in the Family History Research program at Brigham … [Read more...]
Meet Ryan, Project Manager for Legacy Tree Genealogists
Meet Ryan, one of Legacy Tree Genealogists talented project managers!Ryan Rockwood’s interest in the genealogy industry began when while living in Japan he saw how a deep reverence for and understanding of one’s ancestors can literally change people’s lives. This interest sprang into a career goal when he noticed how people of Asian descent had far fewer genealogical resources than those of other nationalities.In an attempt to address this need, Ryan received a bachelor’s degree in … [Read more...]
Preserving the Stories Your Descendants Need to Hear
While Legacy Tree can help you tell the story of your ancestors, you are the best person to tell your story. Learn how to document and preserve your story for future generations.Legacy Tree Genealogists is committed to helping our clients discover and preserve the stories of their ancestors. Our researchers employ proven research strategies and adhere to the Genealogical Proof Standard when searching available records and often analyze DNA evidence to uncover facts and clues about their … [Read more...]
The Genealogy Research Process: 5 Steps to Maximize Your Research
We outline the 5 steps in the genealogy research process that will help you maximize your research efforts.When researching your family history, have you ever asked yourself: “Where do I even start?!” Or, in the thick of researching have you ever thought: “What do I do next?” or “How do I know what I’ve found is correct?”These are questions we’ve all asked ourselves in one form or another at some point. Genealogy can be overwhelming and sometimes that feeling of being overwhelmed turns … [Read more...]
Solutions for a Weed-Free Yard, Genealogy-Style: Genealogy Podcasts
I don’t know about you, but there are just some chores that I loathe to do, like weeding. Right now, with spring in full swing, my yard is growing a healthy crop of weeds. My solution to making it more enjoyable? Listening to genealogy podcasts! Here are five of my favorite genealogy podcasts that make the time fly when doing any mundane task: Genealogy Gems is hosted by Lisa Louise Cooke, and her podcast “helps you make the most of your family history research time by providing quick and … [Read more...]
Genealogical Giggles – Finding Humor in Genealogy Documents
As genealogists, we occasionally encounter funny genealogy records that makes us giggle. Here's a collection of some of our favorites!Most researchers have felt the thrill of discovering a little-known document that connects the dots on a family tree, but generally a lot of time is spent slogging through pages of records with little to show for the effort. However, researchers who spend copious amounts of time in censuses, wills, and land records are often rewarded with a few giggles to make … [Read more...]
“Go Fish!” 7 Tips for Casting a Wide DNA Net
When seeking to identify a biological relationship, don't overlook the importance of casting a wide DNA net. We'll show you how!*names have been changes to protect privacyWhat Does "Casting a Wide DNA Net" Mean?Over the last decade, DNA testing has proven to be a powerful tool in genealogy research. One of the strategies repeated most often is the recommendation to "cast a wide net", or test at all the major testing companies. This is also commonly referred to as “fishing in all ponds.” … [Read more...]
“The Milkman’s Son”: Tips for Writing a Captivating Family History, and a Giveaway!
Randy Lindsay, author of The Milkman's Son, shares tips for writing a family history others will want to read, PLUS a giveaway for a copy of his book.Randy's StoryIn the summer of 2005, an ordinary trip to visit my dad changed my life. I should have known I was in for a surprise when he muted the sound on the television and had an actual discussion with me. Dad told me he was having dreams. He saw the faces of people he believed were his ancestors and even though none of these ghosts spoke … [Read more...]
Connecting the Dots: What Constitutes Genealogical Proof?
How do we know when we have compiled enough evidence to consitute genealogical proof of a familial connection? Read on to find out!How do we know when we have compiled enough evidence to constitute proof? Is a birth certificate or an autosomal DNA test result sufficient to declare this person is the child of that person? Must we collect every record regarding an individual – the deeds, the tax lists, the newspaper clippings, the census reports – before we can declare a familial … [Read more...]
