Adoption and Genealogy: A History of Adoption in the U.S.
Most of us probably have adoptees somewhere on our family trees. Do you know how to research them? It's not the same as the adoption research people do nowadays to find their birth parents. Formal, legal adoption wasn't common in the U.S. until the late 1800s. (State...
Family History Episode 18 – Using Family History Centers, Part II
Originally Published 2009 Republished February 11, 2014 [display_podcast] Download the Show Notes for this Episode Welcome to this step-by-step series for beginning genealogists—and more experienced ones who want to brush up or learn something new. I first ran this...
BillionGraves Now Accepting Your Documentation
I'm hearing so much these days about source citation and I love it! Everyone seems to be getting smarter and better at sourcing their research finds. And genealogy websites are making it easier and more collaborative. Here's just one example, an announcement just made...
Google Earth for Genealogy: How to Identify Old Photos’ Locations
Do you have old pictures but aren't sure where they were taken? Sometimes Google Earth has the answer. Check out this question from podcast listener Dennis: Q: "I am scanning slides from my only trip to my ancestor's home in rural Germany and don't recall the names or...
Pssst: Lisa’s Free Sessions at RootsTech…Pass it On!
One of the best kept secrets about #RootsTech is the fact that free sessions are held all day in the Demo Theater in the Exhibit Hall! At first glance it looks like a lounge full of comfy chairs. But don't let that fool you. (Image right: My friend Janet Hovorka,...
5 Times When You Should Be Listening to Genealogy Gems
It was a daunting thought! I had over 1650 miles to drive last weekend to make the move from California to Texas. And I'm notorious for getting sleepy on car rides. My husband was driving the moving van, so I needed to drive the suburban on my own. How was I going to...
Countdown to #RootsTech 2014!
RootsTech 2014 is next week! If you can get to Salt Lake for it but haven't registered yet, don't forget to enter to win a FREE full-access pass from the Genealogy Gems podcast! Here's some countdown information from the planners to help you find your way around: To...
Enter Last-Minute Giveaway Now: Full-Access Pass to #RootsTech 2014 Next Week
One of the great things about presenting at genealogy conferences like RootsTech is the FREE swag they give you. Well, I'm going to pass this gotta-have-it swag along: a free all-access pass to RootsTech 2014. RootsTech is shaping up to become the biggest annual...
Do Your New England Genealogy: Church Records Online–and More Are Coming!
If you have New England roots, you need to know about New England’s Hidden Histories, an ongoing project of the Congregational Library in Boston, Massachusetts. This project is collecting, digitizing, indexing and posting online New England church records, a vital...
RootsTech 2014: Must-Have Tips for Visiting the Family History Library
Whether you're going to RootsTech next week or not, at some point in your genealogical research you'll want to use the Family History Library (FHL). The FHL, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, has 6.875 billion historical records on microfilm, which contain an...
Family History Episode 15 – More Tips for Contacting Distant Relatives
Originally published 2009 Republished January 21, 2014 [display_podcast] Download the Show Notes for this Episode Welcome to this step-by-step series for beginning genealogists—and more experienced ones who want to brush up or learn something new. I first ran this...
Tackle Your Genealogy Brick Walls with These Tips
This Saturday I'm giving a class on how to tackle your genealogy brick walls. If you're anywhere near Santa Rosa, California, USA, I invite you to come! Even if you're not, I hope you'll check out several tips for brick-wall research that I share in a news story on...
New FamilySearch Indexing Website Launches
Are you a FamilySearch indexer, or have you considered joining this worldwide volunteer effort? FamilySearch has just launched a new website that's all about making indexing EASIER. If you're already an indexer, here are the highlights of the new site, according to...
SCGS Jamboree 2014 Lineup Announced!
I'm pleased to return this year to speak at the 45th Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree. This popular conference, hosted by The Southern California Genealogical Society, runs June 6 to 8, 2014 in Burbank, California, USA. The theme of the 2014 Jamboree...
Family History Episode 14 – How to Contact Long Lost Relatives
Originally published 2009 Republished January 14, 2014 [display_podcast] Download the Show Notes for this Episode Welcome to this step-by-step series for beginning genealogists—and more experienced ones who want to brush up or learn something new. I first ran this...
Genealogy Test Reveals Dad’s DNA Swapped in Artificial Insemination
It's not uncommon for genetic DNA tests to reveal that you're not related to people you thought you were. But here's a twist I've never heard before. A family who had a daughter by artificial insemination of the husband's sperm eventually decided to do some DNA...
Historical Maps of Major U.S. Cities and More in New Online Tool
I love showing people how to use online tools to compare historical maps to modern ones. You can map out your ancestor's address, check out their neighborhoods "then and now," map their route to work, see if their old home still exists and more. Well, the...
Family History Episode 13 – Genetic Genealogy and Photo Sharing
No episode! But lots of good updates. Keep reading.... UNLUCKY Episode 13: Genetic Genealogy and Photo Sharing Episode 13 of the original podcast reviewed genetic genealogy and photo sharing products that are either now longer offered or are outdated. This episode is...
