Think Outside the Box at NGS and Jamboree
Major genealogy conferences like NGS and Jamboree can be both invigorating and overwhelming! It's tough to catch all the classes I want by my favorite lecturers on the topics I need most. But at some point each day, I'm also done sitting in a boxy classroom for a...
10 Maps for Family History at David Rumsey Map Collection
Among more than 15,000 maps and images newly posted at the David Rumsey Map Collection, these caught my eye as particularly useful for family history. Do any of them look relevant to YOUR genealogy? 1. A massive group of German Invasion plans for England, Wales, and...
Iowa Newspapers Stacking Up With No Plan to Film
According to a news story by IowaWatch.org, current Iowa newspapers are piling up at the archives of the State Historical Society of Iowa in Des Moines, with no current plan to microfilm or otherwise preserve them. "Traditionally, the papers would have been sent off...
Record a Life Story: Free StoryCorps App
Recently a friend sent me a link to a TED talk by StoryCorps founder Dave Isay. As a radio broadcast journalist, Dave has spent his life capturing other people's stories. The profound impact this had on him led him to found StoryCorps, which collects and archives...
Ancestry App for Apple Watch
Ancestry's new app for the Apple Watch brings new meaning to the idea of giving our ancestors "the time of day!" The Ancestry blog reports that while the Ancestry app for Apple Watch doesn't offer full-service genealogy research capabilities on its small screen, you...
We Dig These Gems: New Genealogy Records Online
Every Friday, we highlight new genealogy records online. Scan these posts for content that may include your ancestors. Use these records to inspire your search for similar records elsewhere. Always check our Google tips at the end of each list: they are custom-crafted...
MyHeritage Shares Holocaust Survivor Story with Descendants
About a year ago, Greek-American family historian and Emmy award-winning writing, producer and author Yvette Manessis Corporon published When the Cypress Whispers: A Novel, a novel based on true stories gathered from her grandmother. Among the anecdotes was a...
AncestryDNA Works Toward Genetics + Genealogy Integration
The ideal genetic genealogy interface creates a seamless transition between genetics technology and genealogical research findings. Most currently available tools are either DNA technology without much genealogy, or genealogy without much DNA technology....
Volunteer Gem: He Indexed Milwaukee Journal Obituaries Himself!
Recently we received this inspiring story from Brian Zalewski, a longtime Genealogy Gems podcast listener. He found a valuable genealogy resource and made it easier for others to access. Thank you, Brian! "Over the years I've spent a lot of time looking for death...
We Dig These Gems! New Genealogy Records Online
Every Friday, we highlight new genealogy records online. Scan these posts for content that may include your ancestors. Use these records to inspire your search for similar records elsewhere. Always check our Google tips at the end of each list: they are custom-crafted...
How to Find Your Family History in the 1950s
When we try to research our family history from recent decades, we often find privacy barriers: U.S. census records for 1950 and beyond are closed, as are many vital records. Here are some ideas for finding family history in the 1950s and beyond: 1. Interview...
1950 Census Substitute: What To Use Until its Release Date
The 1950 federal U.S. census will not be released to the public until April 2022. Are you as excited about that as I am? This census will provide volumes of new information about our families and their lives. Answers to Your Questions about the 1950 Census Here are...
RootsMagic Family History Software Now Available on Amazon Prime
Are you an Amazon Prime Member or do you shop Amazon for the free Prime shipping with qualifying orders? RootsMagic family history software is now eligible for Amazon Prime shipping. According to the company, "For those who have Amazon Prime accounts, this means you...
CeCe Moore: DNA for Genealogy and Adoption and MORE on Free Genealogy Gems Podcast Episode 178
The latest episode of the free Genealogy Gems podcast (Episode 178) has been released and it's PACKED with gems you can use now to inspire your family history! First, nationally-renowned genetic genealogist CeCe Moore joins me on the show to talk about using DNA for...
New Genealogy Gems Book Club Pick: The Lost Ancestor
We are excited to announce the newest featured book in the Genealogy Gems Book Club: The Lost Ancestor by Nathan Dylan Goodwin. This is the most recent book in the genealogical crime mystery series by the British author. It's classic genre fiction, so much fun to...
RootsTech Hits the Road! RootsTech Family Discovery Days Coming Your Way!
Were you among the record-breaking audience of 23,918 attendees at RootsTech 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah? Even if you were, chances are you didn't catch all the top talks. RootsTech staffers have announced that over 1000 FREE regional RootsTech events, called...
Puerto Rico Civil Registrations Now FREE Online
Do you have family from Puerto Rico? Newly-searchable at FamilySearch.org are Puerto Rico Civil Registrations. Ancestry published these last year for their subscribers. Ancestry describes this as their "largest single collection of Puerto Rican records." According to...
We Dig These Gems: New Genealogy Records Online
Every Friday, we highlight new genealogy records online. Scan these posts for content that may include your ancestors. Use these records to inspire your search for similar records elsewhere. Always check our Google tips at the end of each list: they are custom-crafted...