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 privacy What 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 Story In 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...]
Find Centuries of Ancestors in Germany’s Village Genealogy Books!
If you have German ancestry, village genealogy books are an essential resource for extending your family history. German genealogy can be intimidating—after determining the ancestral village of origin, the next step involves deciphering documents written in an archaic handwritten cursive script that can challenge even the best of us. So, genealogists seeking their German ancestors can perhaps be forgiven for wishing for any kind of a shortcut that could make their lives easier. Fortunately, for … [Read more...]
Horses Not Zebras: 5 Tips for Evaluating Conflicting Evidence
"How do I evaluate conflicting evidence in my family history?" Read on to discover tips from professional genealogists. A common medical aphorism states, “When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras.” Essentially, this means that when making a diagnosis, doctors should avoid jumping to an exotic conclusion when there is a more commonplace explanation. The same principle applies when evaluating genealogical evidence. One of the most common mistakes a novice researcher can make is … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: A Genealogist’s Guide to Australian Archives
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers from across the globe to access records for our clients. We asked one of our onsite researchers to share an inside look at the resources available for family history research at various Australian archives. Australian archives can be broadly sorted into governmental, public and private collections. They can occur at each of the three levels of government (federal, state and local), within other public institutions such as state libraries, or … [Read more...]
Genealogy Activities to Enjoy at Home
Enjoying a quiet day at home? Spend the day having fun while finding your ancestors. Enjoy this list of genealogy-focused rainy day activities. When you need a break from the hustle and bustle, a relaxing day at home is a great time to focus on researching the ancestors that have come before us. Learning about their lives and the struggles they endured can provide perspective, hope, and appreciation for the journey-takers that helped write the pages of our own story. Not sure where to … [Read more...]