Don’t ignore the courthouses
I have met people who have done research for over 20 years and never once stepped inside a courthouse to conduct their research. This can be a big mistake as … Read more
Basic Genealogy Research
Are you waiting to understand the science of DNA before using it?
I have given several presentations this year about using DNA as just another genealogical tool. I start by asking how many of them drive AND can explain the science behind … Read more
Are you making these mistakes, part III?
This is the final week on common mistakes. Not properly understanding what your DNA testing is telling you is another common mistake. While a large portion of what DNA … Read more
Are you making these mistakes, part II?
I started this topic last week and will complete my current thoughts next week. I’ll start with a secret about genealogy researchers who charge by the hour. We absolutely love … Read more
Are you making these mistakes?
I had the honor Saturday to present this very topic in Albany, Georgia for the Southwest Georgia Genealogical Society and thought it a great topic for a blog for a … Read more
Tips and tricks with FamilySearch.org
If you are a true researcher, then you have used FamilySearch.org (FS) but have you used ALL of the features there? Have you seen some of the new services they … Read more
How do we know what to trust?
It can be easy to take other people’s research as correct because it makes sense and aligns with what we hope but have you thoroughly researched their findings with the … Read more
Standard #5: A soundly reasoned, coherently written conclusion
We now come to the last standard although we have touched on it several times, we must take our research and make it available to others. Whether we publish it … Read more
GPS Standard #4: Resolution of conflicting evidence
I touched on this a bit last week when I mentioned the multiple Banner Thomases in Pierce, later Appling, County. There are many reasons we run into conflicting evidence and … Read more
GPS Standard #3: Thorough analysis and correlation
What exactly does this mean? You cannot always take things at face value and must thoroughly look at all aspects of what you have found. Also, you must not stop … Read more