Category Archives: Advice & How-To

Create Genealogy Charts with Smart Art

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 […]

New & Improved: Research Planning Magic Challenge

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 […]

Leave No Stone Unturned…Literally!

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, […]

Genealogy Education: Listen

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 […]

Genealogy Education: Watch

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 […]

Genealogy Education: Read

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 […]

Review Your Research…Again

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 […]

Facebook for Genealogists: Pages

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 […]