The Genealogy Research Process: The WANDER Method
Genealogy research isn’t a matter of just getting more and more records. The drive to continually add more records leads us to going down rabbit holes, wasting time, and getting frustrated. It’s time to take a look at the research process so you can make more discoveries.
5 Search Strategies Every Genealogist Should Know
Sometimes records like to hide. That’s when you need to use a good search strategy. Here are 5 that every genealogist needs to know — including one that doesn’t even use a name!
Book It, Tweet It, Pin It: Using Social Media to Grow Your Family Tree
Social media isn’t just for posting pictures of the grandkids and cat videos. See how you can use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest to make more discoveries.
Citing Sources Without Stressing Out
Citing sources is one of those things in genealogy research that tends to make us kind of kind of twitchy. We know we should be doing it and we want to do them right… so we tend to stress out about it. But there is a key to thinking about citing sources—and it won’t raise our blood pressure.
Desperately Seeking Susan: Finding Female Ancestors
Researching females can be difficult, but doesn’t have to be impossible. Learn the key elements to a successful search and see a real-life example of how it all fits together.
Evaluating Evidence and Its Source
Not all sources are created equal. Learn how to truly understand what that source is telling you (and what it isn’t).
Finding Ancestors Before 1850
Pre-1850 research can be difficult. The federal census does not list everyone in the household by name and many localities do not have civil vital records. This session will explore some record groups and research strategies for moving your ancestral lines beyond the mid-19th century.
How Do I Know That's My Ancestor?
You don’t want just anyone in your family tree — you want the right person. Learn how the concept of identity will help you keep from adding someone with the same name.
How to Keep Blogging When You Have Boring Ancestors
You want to blog, but your ancestors seem so…. boring. Here’s how you can keep your writing going. (Hint: Your ancestors weren’t actually boring.)
How to Milk a Source for All It’s Worth
Find a document. Pull out the fact you were looking for. Move on. If that describes your research, you’re probably leaving valuable clues on the table.
Timelines: The Swiss Army Knife of Genealogical Research
Timelines are powerful and versatile. Learn how to create them and how to use them to evaluate evidence, spot holes in your research, and generate leads for further investigation.
