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...
What Made You a Genealogist? Margaret Linford’s Story
To be the family historian in a clan is an honored role. But to fulfill it effectively, you must include all stories--including your own. So here's a prompt and a story to get you started: What led you to become a genealogist? “Your stories are the family history of...
How to Find Compiled Military Service Records for Your Ancestors
Compiled Military Service Records are core genealogical documents for your ancestors' military service for the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Indian Wars, Mexican Wars, Civil War, and the Spanish-American War. Expert Michael Strauss tells us what's in them and how to...
RootsTech 2018 Pass Giveaway (and More Exciting RootsTech News)
Our RootsTech 2018 pass giveaway is underway! Enter by November 15, 2017 to win a chance to attend the world's biggest genealogy event for FREE. Meanwhile, there's more RootsTech news: the class schedule is posted and two keynote speakers have been announced. We think...
Boston Catholic Records Now at Ancestry.com, and Other New Collections
New at Ancestry.com are Boston Catholic records, thanks to a partnership with the New England Historical Genealogical Society. Also new this week are big updates for the Big Apple with lots of new and updated collections for New York. Additional new collections for...
Episode 211
The Genealogy Gems Podcast Episode #211 with Lisa Louise Cooke In this episode, host and producer Lisa Louise Cooke talks with Barry Moreno, Historian at Ellis Island. Hear about the life cycle of this busy U.S. immigration station (1892-1954) and Barry's...
Genealogy Gems Premium Podcast Episode 152: DNA, Genealogy Website Hints, Old Audio Recordings and More
Genealogy Gems Premium Podcast episode 152 is ready for our Premium members to enjoy. Hear about a DNA "total surprise," Google Translate and its limits, how to tell German from Dutch, hinting technologies at the giant genealogy websites, and a fabulous old audio...
Home Archiving for the Genealogist: 5 Ways to Think Like an Archivist
You may be doing some "home archiving" without even realizing it, if you're the keeper of any family photos, documents, heirlooms, or artifacts. Professional archivist and genealogist Melissa Barker offers these tips for the family historian and keeper of the family...
9 Unique Family Trees That Will Take Your Breath Away
These unique family tree designs--some hundreds of years old--are creative and artistically stunning. Some are about actual families, and others re-create the family tree of an entire culture or empire. Which ones inspire you? These 9...
Historic U.S. Newspapers & More in New & Updated Records
Historic U.S. newspapers are featured in this week's new and updated records collections, including Hawaii, Colorado, Georgia, and North Carolina. Also new this week are updated New York passenger lists, vital records for England, Welsh newspapers, military and census...