Genealogy Tip Of The Day

Genealogy how-to research tips, ideas, and suggestions with a concentration on research in the United States.

FROM USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND GENEALOGIST ELIZA WATSON! "A gold mine of ancestral research information!" —5-Stars by JBee "I was expecting a dry, fact-oriented book about genealogy, like so many I've seen, but couldn't be farther from the reality. Not only does this portray real-life searches but it does so in a fun and funny way. Her writing is so down to earth and she makes it fun and easy to delve into your family history." —5 Stars by Sharie Breihan-Groot In 2007 a twelve-day trip to Ireland—my ancestors’ homeland—turned out to be the most significant turning point in my life. I never dreamed when I embarked on my adventure it would lead to me becoming a genealogist, meeting dozens of Irish rellies, writing two fiction series set in Ireland, and buying a renovated 1887 schoolhouse in my Coffey ancestors’ townland. Since that trip, I’ve researched more than twenty-five of my maternal and paternal Irish lines as well as several Scottish ones. I’ve also assisted friends and family members with ancestry research in Austria, Canada, England, Germany, Hungary, and the US. Besides conducting online research, I have visited numerous historical archives, traipsed through hundreds of cemeteries (many now situated in sheep-filled fields), and located several family homesteads. In 2018 I began writing a genealogy column for my monthly author newsletter about my personal research experiences. Because I was writing articles faster than I was publishing newsletters, I compiled them into a book. Genealogy Tips & Quips includes: · twenty-five newsletter articles · twenty-five brand-new articles · a case study about how a paternal DNA test revealed my family’s royal lineage and my quest to uncover our family secrets · an extensive case study on tracing my most difficult family line Be prepared for unexpected twists and turns as I share my mistakes, lessons learned, and tips for getting to the roots of your family tree! About the Author Eliza Watson is a USA Today bestselling author and genealogist. Eliza's genealogy adventures have inspired two fiction series set in Ireland, Scotland, and England. She also writes a genealogy column for her monthly author newsletter and has written feature articles for genealogical societies. In 2013 she fulfilled her dream of owning a home in Ireland when she and her husband bought a renovated 1887 schoolhouse in her Coffey ancestors' townland. When Eliza isn't tracing her ancestry roots through Ireland or Scotland, she's at home working on her next novel, bouncing ideas off her husband, Mark, and her cats, Frankie and Sammy. Topics: Genealogy Research, Genealogy How To, Family Trees, Irish Genealogy, Scottish Genealogy, Irish Roots, Ireland Ancestry Research, Ancestry Research, Family History, Scottish Ancestors, Irish Ancestors, English Ancestors, Tracing Irish Ancestors, Researching Scottish Ancestors, Family DNA Research, Irish Research Records, Scotch Irish, Tracing Your Ancestry Roots, Ireland Cemeteries, Ireland Church Records, Writing Ancestry Biographies, Genealogy Humor

An Excerpt from When Descendants Become Ancestors "Congratulationsyoure going to be an ancestor (someday). You cannot escape it. Nor can I. Nor can anyone else. Thats not necessarily a bad thing, depending on your beliefs about an afterlife, but each body ultimately ceases to exist. We all know that. From the moment of birth, each of us begins a journey that must ultimately conclude with our entrance into ancestry. As we research our own ancestors and mourn the lack of information available to us, we forget that we are the future ancestors of our descendants. And if we dont leave to them the kinds of information about our lives that we crave to know about our own forefathers, then we are merely perpetuating the problem." How often have you regretted your failure to engage the elder generations of your family for information about their lives and memories? How many times have you wanted just one more hour with a deceased relative who could answer that one burning question that you suddenly thought about, and that no one else can answer? Perhaps you remember a time when an older acquaintance wanted to share with you some stories about the good old days, but you couldnt be bothered. Most of us have had regrets like these, as will our descendantsunless we seek to record and preserve some stories for their use. Whether our stories are short and simple or long and complex matters not, but these stories will become part of their heritage and can certainly influence their lives. Though our contributions may not be recognized for decades, our lives matter to future generations and our stories should be told. The rest is up to each of us.

Discover your roots! The answers to all your genealogy questions in one place! This convenient, timesaving collection of genealogy hacks gathers the best resources, tips, lists, and need-to-know facts from the experts at Family Tree Magazine. Inside, you'll find fast facts about a variety of family history topics, such as important dates in US history, the different kinds of DNA tests, and how to use the best genealogy websites. Inside, you'll find: • Key genealogy lists and statistics: common genealogy abbreviations and acronyms, a glossary of genetic genealogy terms, genealogy pitfalls to avoid, and more • Strategies for tracking your ancestors in important documents (including census records, passenger lists, and military records) and performing important genealogical tasks (such as searching Ancestry.com) • A size perfect for carrying with you wherever your research may lead

My Best Genealogy Tips: Quick Keys to Research Ancestry will assist beginners and researchers who feel they need to start over. This is the first in a series of books that will walk you through getting an oral history interview, using historical records rather than family trees for proving research, and making sure you remember to include the things expert researchers have admittedly forgotten. You will avoid the common pitfalls many seasoned researchers have fallen into such as what to do when you find a photo that you would like to use or making sure you tell the most important family history --- your own! Become proficient with where to look for resources that match where your ancestors lived and when they lived in a particular place. I have answered thousands of questions from researchers around the globe. This series will enable you to help yourself.

What will you find in this 'best tips' guide? Everything from practical ways to use Google, advice on protecting your privacy online, information about secret or little known resources for genealogy research and more.

Break through brick walls in your genealogical research Learn how to use innovative methods to unearth hard-to-find ancestors. Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques shows you, step by step, how to uncover elusive details by taking advantage of specialized tools and software programs and using proven best practices for breaking through the brick walls that have hindered your progress. You’ll get professional advice on formulating a research strategy, understanding the details you discover, keeping careful track of your data, analyzing the evidence, and developing hypotheses. Real-world case studies demonstrate how you can apply the systematic procedures presented in this practical guide to your own research--and achieve success! Examine the brick wall in detail to find potential weak spots that can be exploited into a breakthrough Use brute force techniques that leave no stone unturned Obtain exact copies of original records rather than derivative sources Research the family, associates, and neighbors (FANs) of your brick wall ancestor Consult with your family, friends, and colleagues to get a fresh perspective on your research Use crowdsourcing--genealogy societies, online forums, social media, blogs, wikis, and podcasts Apply technological solutions, including DNA testing and specialized genealogical software Get tips on hiring a professional genealogical researcher with the appropriate credentials and references Revisit your brick wall problem after honing your research skills Review your evidence, develop a research strategy, and keep a meticulous research log