Best Census Entry Ever?
This census enumerator clearly had an opinion about Mr. Coleman's "real" occupation! What funny tidbits have you found in genealogy records? I've got my fingers crossed that you'll leave your comments below so other Gems can share the fun. Have a wonderful week!...
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Mayflower Ancestors Tops US Genealogy Records now Online
A new Mayflower ancestors database can help connect you with your Pilgrim roots. Also, amateur US newspapers: Hill Air Force Base newspaper, Norwegian and African American Mormons, PERSI updates and collections for Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Ohio,...
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Happy Independence Day!
Which of your family do you think of when you celebrate your nation's birthday? A patriot who fought for freedom? Immigrant ancestors who came to these shores? Your current generation, as it seeks its unique American dream? Or your youngest and the...
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Free US Historical Newspapers on MyHeritage for July 4 Week
Through July 8, search free US historical newspapers on MyHeritage.com! Newspapers help you tell compelling family history stories. Collections for several individual states are available--and so is a SuperSearched-version of the nationwide historical newspaper site,...
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YDNA Test Q&A for Genealogy
Here’s a YDNA test Q&A with questions from a Genealogy Gems Podcast listener. Your DNA Guide Diahan Southard has answers: where to test, on joining a family DNA project, and those conflicting DNA ethnicity percentages. Recently Lisa Louise Cooke received a voicemail...
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Scandinavian Genealogy Records and More
It’s a Scandinavian genealogy dream come true: over 135 million new free records at FamilySearch! Also new (and free): church records for England, France, Germany; Italian and Mexican civil registration; archival indexes for The Netherlands; South African court...
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4 Easy Steps to Preserving Old Letters
Preserving old family letters is one of the best things you can do to be sure their precious content is available to future generations. Follow these easy steps from The Archive Lady, Melissa Barker, to organize and preserve the old correspondence in your...
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When Genealogy Challenges You….
What obstacles are you facing this week? A research brick wall... finding a particular record... getting your stuff organized? Leave your comments below so we and other Gems can cheer you on. Have a wonderful week!...
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DNA and Privacy: No Man is a Genetic Island
The recent identification of the Golden State Killer through a DNA database for genealogy is just one way your DNA may be used in unexpected ways. Lisa Louise Cooke shares 5 key principles to keep in mind when considering your online DNA presence. Golden State...
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British Isles Genealogy Records New Online
New U.K. suffrage records are online—and so is a related historical experience at Google Arts & Culture! Also: U.K. slavery notices, Scottish memorial inscriptions, British newspapers, and Irish school records. Featured: The Suffragettes and the Road to Equality...
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Making Family History Accessible for the Visually or Hearing Impaired
Making your family history accessible to your visually or hearing impaired relatives may require a little extra work. But the effort can mean making your genealogy discoveries more available and vivid for EVERYONE--now and in the future. Let these ideas help you! ...
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Unclaimed Persons Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Ten years ago, Unclaimed Persons launched as a volunteer effort within the genealogical community to help coroners reunite unclaimed bodies with their families. Here's what Unclaimed Persons has accomplished over the past decade--and how you can join the growing...
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Finding a Birth Father Using DNA: “How We Did It”
Finding a birth father using DNA is possible but can be hit-or-miss with DNA alone. Read this story about how the experts at Legacy Tree Genealogists combined DNA testing results with historical research and family knowledge to help one woman find the answers--and...
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New York Genealogy Records and More
Work on your New York genealogy research with these new naturalization and marriage license records. Also: WWII draft registrations; family history records for AL, ID, KS, KY, LA, OH, VA; and records from Australia, Canada (including a mapped-out photo archive of...
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Episode 218 – It’s All About You
The Genealogy Gems Podcast Episode #218 with Lisa Louise Cooke In this episode, Lisa answers your questions and shares your comments. Hot topics on your minds that are covered in this episode: discovering new records online, working with other people's...
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MyHeritage News: Pedigree View, End of WorldVitalRecords
We have three pieces of MyHeritage news to share with you. First: a quick summary of the billion records they've added recently--including U.S. newspapers. Second: a much-requested feature for their online family trees launches. Third: they're retiring the site that...
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Pennsylvania Genealogy Brick Wall Strategies
It’s a common Pennsylvania genealogy brick wall: “My ancestors are from PA—but I don’t know where!” Pennsylvania expert Jim Beidler has strategies that may help narrow down the needle-in-a-haystack problem of identifying your ancestor’s home county. Here, we also add...
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Here are the Genealogical Resources You are Not Seeing
In the digital era, it's more important than ever to digitize your family history: tree data, photos, stories, interviews, home movies and compiled research. Digitizing preserves the information against loss and allows others to enjoy it now. And for future...
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