The Victorian Bicycles Your Ancestors May Have Ridden
Victorian bicycles like the "Ordinary" high-wheel and the woman's racing tricycle were anything but ordinary! Check out this video footage of our Genealogy Gems Book Club featured author Sarah Chrisman and her husband Gabriel on their high-wheels--and Gabriel's...
Swedish-American Newspapers and Other Lesser Known Genealogy Collections
Swedish-American newspapers are our first stop as we head off the beaten path. This week you'll discover special record collections of Burke County, North Carolina yearbooks, photo images for Scotland, and State Militia records. Also this week, German civil...
How to Use the Dawes Collections for Native American Research
Here are the step-by-step instructions you need to know to effectively navigate the Dawes Applications for Native American research. Many American families have a tradition of Native American ancestry. Now through Nov. 15, 2016 Fold3 has made access to their Native...
Bust a Brick Wall by Speaking Google’s Language
Bust a genealogy brick wall by learning to speak Google's language. Proper use of Google's basic search operators will have you plowing through walls in your research in nothing flat! Genealogy information is sprinkled across the millions of websites on the web....
The Genealogy FAN Club Principle Overcomes Genealogy Brick Walls
Another brick wall...busted! We all have trouble spots in our family history research. Sometimes, we just need a little help breaking through. Here’s a tried-and-true method for using the genealogy FAN club principle to overcome brick walls in your family history...
New and Updated Genealogical Records Reveal Ancestors in Paradise
This week, we set sail to the islands with new and updated genealogical records for Hawaiian and Irish genealogy. Passenger lists and denization records shine a light on ancestors who walked the shores of beautiful Hawaii and previously classified records are revealed...
Anabaptist Genealogy Records: Anabaptist Ancestors Revealed Part 2
Anabaptist genealogy records include Amish, German Baptist and Mennonite ancestors. In a past post titled "Amish Genealogy Revealed," we shared tips for searching out your Amish family tree. Here are more helpful resources submitted by our wonderful readers that you...
3 Clever Ways to Share Family History with Kids
If you're like me, you would give anything to share family history with kids and not be met with an eye roll. Here are three clever ways to capture their imagination, put a smile on their face, and most importantly, help them soak in the importance of their family...
New and Updated Genealogical Records for Scottish Genealogy
Scottish genealogy records are as popular as plaid this fall. Deeds, paternity records, and censuses are just a sampling. Also this week, records for Ontario, New York State, Philadelphia, and the women's suffrage movement! Scotland - Deeds Findmypast offers Scotland...
LaVar Burton to be Keynote Speaker at RootsTech 2017
RootsTech 2017 is already wowing us with their recent announcement of Friday's keynote speaker, LaVar Burton. Not just known for favorites like Reading Rainbow and Star Trek: The Next Generation, LaVar has been known by millions for his role as Kunta Kinte the...
Why You Should be Researching Court Records
Researching court records may require some advanced genealogical skills, but the benefits are worth the effort. Lisa Louise Cooke helps a reader get out of a genealogical slump and makes the case for why you should be researching court records. Our reader shared: I...
3 Ways to Improve Your Genealogy Blog
Creating and maintaining a genealogy blog is a fun and rewarding way to share your family history. Blogging is also effective in finding cousin connections! If you are worried your blog isn't pulling in the cousins you expected, elevate your ranking in search results...
Upcoming Events and Lectures for Lisa
We know you want to keep up-to-date with where Lisa will be giving her lectures and presentations. This fall, we have three upcoming events. Here all the details: Upcoming Events: Kansas The Johnson County Genealogical Society will be holding an all day seminar on the...
Learn to Leapfrog by Speaking Google’s Language!
Speaking Google's language will have you "genealogy leapfrogging!" It's a new phrase coined by Gems reader, Steve, after his amazing discovery using the Google search techniques shared by Lisa in a recent lecture. You too can make some giant leaps in your genealogy...
New and Updated Genealogy Collections from Around the World
This week, we bring you new and updated record collections from genealogy societies around the world. We are often familiar with the record sets available at FamilySearch, Findmypast, and MyHeritage, but many more wonderful virtual repositories exist online. Check out...
Google Books for Genealogy Success Story
Using Google Books for genealogy is a successful tool to many. A Gem's reader shares the remarkable story she uncovered using the tips for using Google Books she learned from a recent Genealogy Gems Premium podcast. From Genealogy Gems Premium member: “Hi Lisa, I was...
Premium Podcast Episode 139: Chris Cleave, WWII and More
Genealogy Gems Premium Podcast episode 139 features best-selling novelist Chris Cleave, WWII newspaper tips, new Evernote vs. One Note comparisons and more! Genealogy Gems Premium members can dive into the days of World War II in the newly-released Premium episode...
Wedding Bells are Ringing Across the U.S. with New and Updated Marriage Records
It's not really wedding season, but we are hearing wedding bells across the United States! New and updated marriage records are dotting the country. Among other record finds this week, we share new sources from Latin America and Nicaragua. United States - New York -...