How to Evaluate a Genealogy Record

Have you tried out the Experimental Full-Text Search on Family Search? In this post, find out what you might be able to discover about your ancestors from using this free tool.

Are you wondering what kind of information you can learn through passenger lists where your ancestor is named? In this post, discover how to use these valuable genealogical records to find new details about your ancestor’s life.

If you have spent some time analyzing your DNA match list, you might wonder if it is possible to have no DNA matches from an ancestor who you know is in your family tree. In this post, learn whether this is possible and how it could happen.

Are you thinking about putting together a family reunion, but don't know where to start the planning process? In this post, learn helpful tips for planning a family reunion that everyone will remember for years to come. I spend a lot of my free time working on my family tree, which usually means I am …

Anyone who spends much time researching their family tree will eventually stumble upon family names that cause them to pause and wonder. Here, learn how and why our ancestors sometimes have names that seem strange to us. In this post, I'll tell you some examples of some "crazy" names in my own family tree, and …

Do you want to learn more about the most recent MyHeritage ethnicity estimate update? In this post, you will find out everything you need to know about the v2.5 update of your DNA results.

Did you know that there is a way to automatically add a DNA match to your family tree on Ancestry? In this post, learn how to find and use this helpful tool! This tool, called the "Add DNA Match to Tree" tool, is a feature that launched around the beginning of 2025. Anyone with an …

Did you know that the 1921 Census of England and Wales is available on Ancestry? In this post, you will find information about the background of this census, what you can learn from these records, and how to access them on the Ancestry site. If you had ancestors living in England or Wales in the …

Have you ever thought about who should or shouldn't be added to your family tree? In this post, I'll discuss what you should consider before adding someone to your tree.

If you have ancestors from Poland and you are looking for the best places to find records online, this article is for you. In this post, learn the top places to search for Polish genealogy records and tips for using the databases. Two of my great-grandparents came to the United States from Poland in the …

Do you want to know how to use the Gedmatch Matching Segment Search tool? Learn how this tool can help you learn more about your DNA and family tree.

Do you want to know the difference between extended and distant family members? In this, post, learn which of your relatives are in each group, and in which circumstances the definition can be flexible.

Do you want to know what your ancestor's occupation was? In this post, you will find nine different ideas for places to look for the information you need.

Did you get more than 40% matching a single region on your DNA results? In this post, learn how many generations back this is, as well as everything you need to know to find the ancestor who passed this down to you.

Did you know that your Ancestry DNA results were updated in October, 2024? In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about Ancestry's biggest update yet to our DNA results.

Have you seen the Ancestry Enhanced DNA Matches feature? In this post, learn how to use it and what you can discover through using this tool.

Have you heard of Ancestry Pro Tools? In this post, you will learn what these tools are and how you can best use them to help with your family tree and DNA match research.

Do you want to learn how to connect your Family Tree DNA results to a family tree? In this post, find a quick tutorial on exactly how to do this.

Are you wondering why your closest relatives don't show up on your list of DNA matches? In this post, find out all the reasons why this can happen.

If you have tested with or uploaded your DNA to Family Tree DNA, and have a family tree on that site, then you will definitely want to read this post. You will learn about an important change that happened in 2024 and the collaboration between FTDNA and MyHeritage.

Are you interested in putting your knowledge of your family history to use to connect with your ancestors' culture? In this post, find several ways to expand your connection with the cultures your ancestors called their own. If you have read other articles on my website, then you know that most of the information on …

Census records can be excellent sources for genealogy research. In this post, learn how you can use these records to learn about your ancestors. Census records are some of my favorite types of genealogy records. This is because when you can locate your family's census records, they serve as a "snapshot" taken at regular intervals …

Did your first cousin take a DNA test? In this post, learn how to know if your cousin is a full or half-first cousin to you. Knowing whether your cousin is a full or half-cousin can be important in your genealogy research. For example, if your cousin is a half-cousin, you can use your shared …

Are you interested in finding immigration records for your ancestor from the 1800s? In this post, learn what you need to know to find these records, including where to look. If you can find immigration records about your ancestor, it is often a goldmine. These records can help us learn a lot more about our …

Are you hoping to find the ancestor from whom you inherited a percentage on your DNA ethnicity estimate? In this post, learn how to know how far back your "100% ancestor" might be in your family tree. There are many reasons that people are interested in understanding how many generations back their "100% ancestor" might …

If you logged into your Ancestry account, yet can't see the DNA results you were expecting to see? In this post, learn the reasons why this might have happened, and what to do about it.

Do you have a close DNA match with whom you would like to figure out your relationship? In this post, learn some strategies that you can use to find out how you are related to those closer DNA matches. It might seem like it should be very easy to figure out how a close DNA …

Did you know that you can use the free Relative Finder tool to quickly find out how you are related to friends or even famous people? In this post, learn how the tool works and how to get started using it. I first used Relative Finder because my child asked me if I thought we …

Did you know that genetic males can now learn about their ancient direct-line paternal ancestry on their Family Tree DNA Family Finder results? In this post, find out how to see this information, and more. The Y-DNA haplogroup is now included automatically when you take a new Family Tree DNA Family Finder test. However, if …

Do you ever wonder how far back the furthest family tree goes? In this post, learn the furthest verified case that anyone has been able to trace their ancestry.

If you know that you have endogamy in your family tree due to many generations of marriages between cousins, you might want to know how this affects your DNA and matches. In this post, learn more about this topic through examples.

Have you ever wondered who owns your family story, and which boundaries, if any, should limit your family tree research? In this post, find a discussion about who has the right to tangible and intangible aspects of a family's history. Most people who have dabbled in genealogy know that not everyone in their family loves …

Do you have DNA matches that you can't place in your family tree? In this post, find tips that will show you how to find the extra information you need

Do you want to know what percentage ethnicity on your DNA results is considered significant? In this post, we'll discuss the answer to this question - and more.

Have you been contacted by a DNA match, but aren't sure how to respond? In this post, find tips and ideas for how to proceed.

Do you share a paternal haplogroup with someone? If you wonder what this means, and if you might be related to this person, this article will answer your questions.

Have you heard of negative evidence in genealogy? In this post, learn what this term means, as well as how you can use and document negative evidence in your family tree research. Family tree research can sometimes be difficult. We are searching for records and documents related to people who lived long ago, often without …

Have you heard of Ancestry Pro Tools? In this post, learn more details about this set of features, how much they cost, and how they might help you with your family tree. When I first saw the Pro Tools features, I wasn't sure if they would be something that I could use. Even though I …

Do you wonder if it is possible to research your German ancestors without actually having to go to Germany? In this post, we'll discuss how to research your German ancestors from the comfort of home. Of course, I would love to take a trip to Germany to see where my ancestors lived and maybe do …

What does it mean when you have a DNA match that doesn't share any ethnicity regions with you? In this post, find out how this can happen and what it means.

Have a situation where multiple DNA matches share the same DNA segment with you? Learn what this means, and what you can learn from this.

Do you wonder what will happen to your family tree if you have to take a break from your Ancestry subscription? In this post, find out that answer.