German Place Names: Find Your Ancestors’ Hometown with This Free Online Tool
German place names have changed dramatically over time, so it can be challenging to identify your German ancestors' place of origin. This free online tool helps family historians navigate changes in German place names, jurisdictions, and boundaries. Thank...
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All Ellis Island Passenger Records Now Free on FamilySearch
All Ellis Island passenger records are now available and free to search at FamilySearch.org! It’s one of 8 free fresh FamilySearch collections profiled in this article. You’ll also find: New Jersey brides, France vital records, Northumberland parish records, Palermo...
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Improvements to MyHeritage DNA
You've taken your DNA test for genealogy and anxiously waited for your results. When they arrive, you dive into the ethnicity pie chart. Then matches start rolling in and it can become a little overwhelming to make sense of it all and the benefit it can...
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German Civil Registration Records and More Now Online
Now online! German civil registration records for Bad Doberman, Berchtesgaden and Minden, as well as WWII UK prisoners of war records, updates to the 1939 Register, parish records for Cheshire, Cumberland and Derbyshire; British newspapers and Queensland, Australia...
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Merchant Marine Records for Genealogy
If one of your ancestors served in the United States Merchant Marine, then you'll be especially interested in the conversation that our recent blog post on the topic has generated about the records that may be available for your genealogy research. The...
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A Genealogy Speaker’s Life
Join me for a peek inside this speaker's life. Last week I was in Provo, Utah for the BYU Conference on Family History & Genealogy, with production assistant (and awesome daughter!) Hannah by my side. It was a full week of teaching (6 sessions), interviewing, and...
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29 Million Free Netherlands Genealogy Records
Nearly 30 million free Netherlands genealogy records are now searchable at FamilySearch.org. Also: free historical Catholic and Columbia University newspapers; Catholic parish records in Boston, MA; British Army and Royal Navy records; and new collections for England...
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Share Stories this Summer
He was the "new good-looking" Ken that would talk to you, and in 1970 I was listening! What did your Ken say to you? We've all got stories to tell. This summer "say many different things" about your family history to your kids. Have fun with it, and help them...
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Come see us at the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2018 Conference
What: Federation of Genealogical Societies 2018 Conference Where: Fort Wayne, Indiana Booth: #101 Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems When: August 22-25, 2018 We can’t wait to see you at the Federation of Genealogical Society 2018 Conference!...
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New Jersey Death Index and More US Genealogy Records Online
The New Jersey Death Index tops this week’s list of new and updated U.S. genealogy records online. Along with a Native American census collection, our list includes family history records for Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Among...
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Join Me at MyHeritage LIVE in Oslo, Norway
If you'd like to go global with your genealogy, the MyHeritage LIVE conference is for you! MyHeritage just announced that registration is open, and I am honored to have been invited as one of the international guest speakers. I would love for you to join me in Oslo,...
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Happy Monday
Happy lazy days of summer. Have a wonderful week! -Lisa Lisa is the Producer and Host of the Genealogy Gems Podcast, an online genealogy audio show and app. She is the author of the books The Genealogist’s Google Toolbox, Mobile Genealogy, How to Find Your Family...
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How to Use Online Genealogy Trees and Hints Wisely
Is the tail wagging the dog in your genealogy research? Resist the temptation to jump at each hint and online family tree. Instead, take the lead in your own research and follow the scent of each clue with genealogical best practices. Here's how... Almost as soon as...
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New European Genealogy Records Online
This is the week to explore new European genealogy records online! This weekly record roundup covers four areas of England as well as France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Scotland, Spain and Sweden. Boost your family history research by keeping up with new records...
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Findmypast and Living DNA to provide genetic genealogy testing
Here's exciting genetic genealogy news that you'll want to know about. Findmypast and Living DNA have announced a new partnership. The two leading British companies are creating a new DNA experience focused on uncovering British & Irish roots. This new service will...
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What Family Memories are YOU Making this Summer?
My daughter Hannah is an adventurer at heart, and turns drives to genealogy conferences into trips to remember. This summer, be sure to make memories with living relatives! Have a wonderful week! -Lisa Lisa is the Producer and Host of the Genealogy Gems Podcast, an...
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British Isles Descendants Will Love these New Records Online
Millions of British Isles descendants—whether still living in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales or dispersed to the United States, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, may find their ancestors in these new online records that include medieval maps, BMD and immigration...
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New Google Video from Genealogy Gems!
Google your family history with Genealogy Gems! Google has a great collection of free online search tools--all powered by the same Google search engine--that can help you discover your family history. In this new Genealogy Gems Premium eLearning video, Google guru...
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