Category Archives: Advice & How-To

Did you know that you can create quick genealogy charts in Microsoft Word (or PowerPoint) using the Smart Art feature? I picked up this little tip from Paul Woodbury during a SLIG practicum a few years ago. You can use this to create family tree charts, but they’re also handy for charting DNA matches. In this video demo, I’ll show you how to use the Smart Art feature to create a chart, in particular, one for DNA matches.

Back in September 2020, I ran a free challenge to help genealogists build a research plan in just five days. It was very successful, with nearly 200 participants. After some feedback and reflection, I’m bringing it back, but it’ll be a little different this time around. You see, while many participants completed the challenge and walked away with an actionable research plan, I think I crammed in too much information (because if you know me, you know I always over-deliver), and in doing so, I may have overwhelmed some of […]

Several of my family members are buried in the same small section of Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois. It’s a well-organized cemetery, broken into sections and most gravestones are facing the same direction in any given section. It’s hard to see from this photo, but trust me, they’re pretty much all facing the same direction.

Education is important for genealogists to undertake. With a vast array of records that we consult to the techniques that we use to solve tough problems, it’s vital that we stay in the know and continually learn. This is a topic that I am passionate about. Had I not taken steps to educate myself from the beginning of my journey, I would not be where I am today with a nicely defined (although still in progress) pedigree and the ability to help others trace their roots. This is the third […]

Education is important for genealogists to undertake. With a vast array of records that we consult to the techniques that we use to solve tough problems, it’s vital that we stay in the know and continually learn. This is a topic that I am passionate about. Had I not taken steps to educate myself from the beginning of my journey, I would not be where I am today with a nicely defined (although still in progress) pedigree and the ability to help others trace their roots. This is the second […]

Education is important for genealogists to undertake. With a vast array of records that we consult to the techniques that we use to solve tough problems, it’s vital that we stay in the know and continually learn. This is a topic that I am passionate about. Had I not taken steps to educate myself from the beginning of my journey, I would not be where I am today with a nicely defined (although still in progress) pedigree and the ability to help others trace their roots. This is the first […]

Are you stuck on a genealogy problem? There are many ways to tackle tough genealogy projects, but I think the first step should always be—review your research. We all started our research as a beginner. During that time, we were prone to making mistakes and not fully understanding the records we found. Reviewing prior research can help you recognize those mistakes and any missed or misinterpreted details. Additionally, as you continue to do research, you learn more and more about the place, time period, and researching in general. Things you […]

Since I’ve been on the topic of Facebook this month, I’ve got one more idea to share. Facebook pages are typically the Facebook “home” for a business, organization, or public figure. A page is similar to a personal profile, but a page is public and anyone can follow or “Like” it. Many genealogical societies, as well as businesses (big and small) have a Facebook page. Some individual genealogists also maintain a public page in lieu of or in addition to their personal profile.