4 Must-Explore Ancestry.com Collections
Some Ancestry.com collections are super valuable but, for one reason or another, are easy to miss. You DON'T want to miss these four exclusive Ancestry.com collections that were hand-picked by an Ancestry staffer: landowner maps, iconic shopping catalog images,...
New Genealogy Records on the Genealogy Giants
Millions of new genealogy records for Australia, the British Isles, the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Central and South America have been added to Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, Findmypast.com and MyHeritage.com, the “genealogy giants.”This week, we’ve sorted them by...
Major Pro Bono DNA Testing Initiative for Adoptees
MyHeritage Launches DNA Quest: A Major Pro Bono Initiative for Adoptees and Their Biological Families to Find Each Other via DNA Testing MyHeritage will distribute 15,000 DNA kits, worth over one million dollars, for free in the first phase of this initiative. Here's...
New State Genealogy Records Online
Local and state genealogy records can be some of the best resources for tracing your family history in the United States. Check out these new or updated collections from 15 different states: AR, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MA, NE, NJ, NM, NC, SC, TX and WY. State...
Use the RootsTech 2018 App
The RootsTech 2018 app will help you find your way around the world’s biggest genealogy event this weekend in Salt Lake City. Here’s how to use it to plan your days! Get the RootsTech 2018 App The app for RootsTech 2018 is the same as 2017. If you downloaded it last...
Beginning German Genealogy: Defining “German”
Beginning German genealogy research starts with a key question: “What does ‘German’ really mean?” A Legacy Tree Genealogists expert responds with a story about ancestors whose German identity in the U.S. census seemed to keep changing—and why that was so. Thanks to...
New! North American Genealogy Records Online
New North American genealogy records online this week! Featured are U.S. military, passenger and yearbook records (including WWII film footage); regional collections for New England and Great Lakes; Congressional statutes; and over 63 million Mexican genealogy records...
Genealogy Gems Premium Podcast Episode 156
In the new Genealogy Gems Premium Podcast Episode 156, hear inspiring tips for curating your family photos and preserving old letters. Learn when and why to consider getting a second opinion on DNA test matches. Discover what genealogical treasures may be in your...
Party at the Genealogy Gems Booth: RootsTech 2018
We are rolling out the red carpet all week at the Genealogy Gems booth at RootsTech 2018! Don’t miss exclusive free classes, prizes worth over $2000, a Saturday prize wheel for Family Discovery Day, and more. It’s time for genealogy’s biggest party of the year:...
5 Branches of US Military Records for Genealogy
Finding US military records for genealogy depends on which of the five branches your relative served in: Army Navy Air Force Marines or Coast Guard. Here, military expert Michael Strauss introduces each one and tells us where to look for their records, both online and...
How to Research Your Ancestors’ Occupations
Tracing your ancestors' occupations can be one of the best ways to learn more about their everyday lives, skills, financial status and even their social status. Follow these tips and record types into the working lives of your relatives to enrich your family history....
New Genealogy Records Include UK Suffragettes and Travelers’ Records
New collections about Great Britain Suffragettes and travelers on the S.S. Great Britain headline this week’s roundup of new genealogy records online. Read here about more new genealogy records for England, Scotland and Ireland: parish records, newspapers and more....
Inspiring Family History Video Ideas Sent In By YOU
These family history video ideas and comments/questions sent in by Genealogy Gems listeners can inspire your own short videos. See how they script their stories, find royalty-free music soundtracks and more. Then visualize yourself in the director’s chair—what kind of...
Genealogy Gems Podcast Episode 214
The Genealogy Gems Podcast Episode 214 with Lisa Louise Cooke In this episode, Irish expert Donna Moughty joins host and producer Lisa Louise Cooke to talk about Irish genealogy to help you get a...
German Census Records DO Exist
For a long time, German census records were thought not to exist. But they do! A leading German genealogy expert tells us how they’ve been discovered and catalogued—and where you can learn about German census records that may mention your family. Thanks to James M....
Tracing your African American Roots: Top Tips
Researching African American roots has unique challenges. This Q&A with expert Angela Walton-Raji can inspire you with tips and success stories. Learn what to ask, what history you should know, how to face the 1870 “wall” and how to explore your ancestor’s freedom...
African American Genealogy Records: New and Free!
Explore these African and African American genealogy records in celebration of your family history and Black History Month! Also this week: see new records online for Southern Claims Commission, GA, NY and VA as well as African heritage sites, Liberia and South...
Using Vertical Files in Archives
Vertical files in archives are like Forrest Gump’s proverbial box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get. The Archive Lady Melissa Barker shows us the fabulous genealogy finds that may be awaiting you in an archive somewhere. The family history you may...