How to Upgrade Your DNA Test with Your DNA Guide
When it comes to chocolate my general rule of thumb is that more is usually better! The same is true with DNA testing. With this big DNA test upgrade sale, now is the perfect time to get MORE! I love being Your DNA Guide here at Genealogy Gems, and today I'll walk you...
Australasian Genealogy Congress 2018: Join Me There
It's a joy to announce that I'll be keynoting at the Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry in Sydney in 2018! Mark your calendars and meet me there! Join Me in Sydney, Australia! The Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry will meet in March 2018 in...
British Isles Genealogy: New Records Online for England, Scotland, Ireland
Trace your British Isles genealogy! This week we report on new genealogy records online for England, Scotland, and Ireland. Read about WWI weekly casualty lists, free census records at FreeCen, English and Scottish burials, Scottish poorhouse--and a free British...
“If My Ancestry Subscription Expires, What Happens to My Tree?”
Are you worried about access to your online tree if you let your Ancestry.com subscription lapse? The tree should still be there. But take these steps to be sure your Ancestry family tree remains accessible and secure--along with the records you've attached to it....
Got Criminal Ancestors? How to Investigate Their Crimes
Lydia thinks her great-grandfather was murdered--perhaps even by her grandfather! Here's some advice for her and everyone researching "cold cases" for criminal ancestors on your family tree. I heard recently from Lydia with these intriguing questions: My great great...
New U.S. Vital Records Online: Freedmen’s Bureau, Statewide Databases and More
Millions of U.S. vital records have recently been published online! These include updates to the U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index; nationwide obituary, funeral home, and cemetery databases; Freedmen's Bureau field office records; a new African...
Episode 206 The Genealogy Gems Podcast – Your Family History Show
The Genealogy Gems Podcast with Lisa Louise Cooke In this Blast from the Past episode: Lisa reprises a favorite research detour into vehicle forensics to identify an old family car and shares tips for creating short family history books like those she given as holiday...
Cold-Calling Your Kin: How to Contact Distant Relatives
Need to contact distant relatives? Got cold feet? Follow these steps and you'll warm right up--and hopefully, so will those you contact! Today, online trees, social media, and email make it easier than ever to find relatives you don't know well (or at all). And there...
FTM’s 101 Best Genealogy Websites: Here’s the Latest List!
Family Tree Magazine has released its newest list of 101 best genealogy websites--and we're on the list! This year's list is all about the best free genealogy websites--for US.research, military records, tech tools and more. Each year, Family Tree Magazine publishes...
Get the Big Picture and the Little Details
I'm excited to keynote Family Tree University's Fall Virtual Genealogy Conference, September 15-17, 2017. Get three days of video presentations packed with DNA research strategies, the latest tech tools, organization and preservation tips, and MORE! Sign up by...
Best of New and Updated Genealogy Records Collections
This week the entire Genealogy Gems team is heading to Dallas to present a two day event at the Dallas Public Library. With Lisa, Sunny and Diahan so busy, I've decided to take the reins this week and bring you a roundup of my favorite genealogy records of 2017! This...
5 Expert Tips for Using Meyers Gazetteer for Your German Genealogy
Track down your German ancestors with Germany genealogy expert Jim Beidler. He's here to share great tips for using MeyersGaz.org, the recent online collection of crucial historical German maps. The Meyers Gazetteer is a comprehensive, indexed map to every place name...
Unclaimed Persons Project Offers Opportunity to Apply Your Genealogy Skills
When the recent press release from the Unclaimed Persons project crossed my desk, it jumped out at me in a very personal way. I majored in Forensic Anthropology (the study of human remains) in college, and was no stranger to coroner’s offices. I’ve witnessed...
Free Genealogy Records from Around the World: Newly Online!
Free genealogy records, newly available online, may be able to take you around your ancestor's world! This week's record destinations include Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, France, Italy, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Russia, and...
How to Find Original Manuscripts with ArchiveGrid
Original manuscript records may reveal genealogical gems about your ancestors. Find these old records in archives around the country using this little-known, free online tool: ArchiveGrid. Manuscript records such as old diaries, letters, vital record collections,...
Join the Genealogy Gems Expert Team for Sources, Storytelling & DNA
The Dallas Genealogical Society 2017 Summer Seminar is fast approaching on August 4-5, and will feature the entire Genealogy Gems Team! Join us for two fun-filled days devoted to Sources, Storytelling & DNA! Sunny Morton is coming in from Ohio, and Diahan Southard...
Beginning Swedish Genealogy: Tips from Legacy Tree Genealogists
Beginning Swedish genealogy can be daunting. But don't let language barriers or unfamiliar naming traditions deter you! Check out these getting-started tips from an expert at Legacy Tree Genealogists. This guest post comes from Paul Woodbury, a Senior Genealogist with...
Stunning Irish Historical Maps and More: New Genealogy Records Online
Digitized Irish historical maps are among new genealogy records online. Also: Irish civil registrations; Irish, British, and Scottish newspapers; Westminster, England Roman Catholic records; wills and probates for Wiltshire, England and, for the U.S., WWI troop...
