New Collection for Tracing Immigrants From the British Isles
Exciting news this week is the brand new British and Irish Roots Collection from Findmypast. This collection has 98 million records and is free to search for a limited time. Also new are electoral rolls for Australia and vital records for the United...
Ellis Island Passenger Arrival Records: Relatives Now Searchable at MyHeritage
Millions of Ellis Island passenger arrival records include the names of the arrivals' relatives, but those names haven't been searchable in online indexes--until now. MyHeritage has added over 26.6 million relatives' names to its passenger list collection and even...
Why You Should Have a Free FamilySearch Account–And Use It!
A free FamilySearch account gives you access to more historical records and customized site features than you’ll see if you don’t log in at this free genealogy website. Here’s why you should get a free FamilySearch account and log in EVERY time you visit...
Photo + Story Competition: RootsTech 2018 Contest
A new Photo + Story competition will be part of RootsTech 2018! If you can take a story-filled picture and caption it meaningfully, you should enter. Check out these tips for creating winning family history photo and story combinations. Winners will receive prizes...
Big Updates at Ancestry for Canadian and German Vital Records
Big records updates at the Genealogy Giant website Ancestry.com! Brand new collections of birth, marriage, death, and census records for Canada were added this week, along with a Remembrance Book for the 100th anniversary of the Halifax explosion. Additionally, new...
Genealogy Gems Podcast Episode 212
The Genealogy Gems Podcast Episode #212 with Lisa Louise Cooke In this episode, Lisa Louise Cooke speaks with Contributing Editor Sunny Morton about turning our fleeting scraps of recollections into meaningful memories.Also: Genealogist Margaret Linford tells us how...
Official Military Personnel Files for US Military Ancestors in WWI, WWII and Beyond
Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs) are 20th and 21st U.S. military records for conflicts such as WWI, WWII, and beyond. OMPFs are packed with great genealogy clues, but millions were destroyed by a 1973 fire. Here’s how to find what records still remain, and...
Genealogy Book Club Gems: Add These to Your Must-Read List
These three must-read titles from our Genealogy Book Club would be great stocking stuffers for yourself or someone you love. See my newest book recommendations for family history lovers by best-selling authors Christina Baker Kline (Orphan Train) and A.J. Jacobs (The...
Why You Should Have a Free FamilySearch Account–And Use It!
A free FamilySearch account gives you access to more historical records and customized site features than you'll see if you don't log in at this free genealogy website. Here's why you should get a free FamilySearch account and log in EVERY time you visit the site. ...
New Genealogy Records for Canada and the United States
New and updated records for Canada and the United States are hot off the press this week. Mortality schedules, cemetery records, Roman Catholic records, and passenger lists are listed for Canadian genealogy research. For the United States, check out Ohio newspapers,...
AncestryDNA Opt-Out Options for DNA Matches: What This Means for You
A new AncestryDNA opt-out option allows DNA test takers to not participate in DNA match lists: they do not receive matches or show up in others' match lists. Your DNA Guide Diahan Southard weighs on in the implications for genealogy researchers who may worry about...
Cyber Monday Genealogy BIG DEALS! 50% OFF
Genealogy Gems Premium eLearning Membership is an investment in learning and sharing your family history is an investment in a lasting legacy for the ones you love most.Give the gift of membership here. Genealogy Gems Premium Membership is the ultimate...
Black Friday Genealogy Freebies and Sales: Grab the Gems before they’re gone!
Our Black Friday genealogy sale is on! Start with a limited-time FREE viewing of the new Premium video, Your Guide to Cloud Backup. Then snatch up rare and exclusive savings on Backblaze cloud backup service, a new mobile genealogy bundle, and our new Irish guide and...
Comparing Digitized Newspapers on Genealogy Websites: Why Findmypast.com Gets a Headline
When it comes to digitized newspapers on genealogy websites, Findmypast is a clear headliner. The site already hosts millions of U.S., British, and Irish newspaper pages--and their British collection is about to DOUBLE. Extra, extra, read all about it! Here at...
Pay It Forward in Genealogy: 4 Ways to Give Back to the Community
During this giving season, why not give back to the community of global genealogy lovers who quietly and continually enrich our family history research? Here are 4 ways to pay it forward in genealogy from the comfort of wherever you are! One gem you may not have heard...
The Hidden Clues US Passenger Lists Can Reveal about Immigrant Ancestors: Genealogy Gems Premium Podcast Episode 153
Learn about surprising clues US passenger lists may hold for your immigrant ancestors, from the places and people they left behind to their final destinations, future naturalization dates, physical descriptions and more. These must-listen tips come straight from Ellis...
Applying to Lineage Societies: Why Hire a Pro to Help You
A professional genealogist can help you apply to lineage societies. Joining is a time-honored way to honor your heritage and document your family history research. But it's not easy! Here's why even experienced genealogists may want to hire a professional to help with...
New Records at the Genealogy Giants Websites
Enjoy millions of new records from the 'Genealogy Giants' websites this week: Ancestry, FamilySearch, Findmypast, and MyHeritage! New collections are now available for England, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Also new are two collections of WWII Holocaust...