You’ve heard all of the experts say that the best way to build a family tree is by using your DNA matches, but how, exactly, is it done? In this post, I’ll explain exactly how your DNA matches can help you build your family tree. While ethnicity estimates are fun and can occasionally reveal something …
What better what to feel a connection with your ancestors than through a beautiful homage to their culture in the form of food? Plus, it’s a great way to help family members, especially kids, become interested in their family tree and their heritage. If we are being honest, family tree research can be dry and …
There is so much written out there about how many times family stories aren’t true. Especially with the advent of DNA testing, it’s easier than ever to prove or disprove long-held family beliefs. I had an interesting experience recently, however, that I would like to share. There is value to talking with older relatives and …
Anyone who spends much time researching their family tree will eventually stumble upon given (first) names that cause them to pause and wonder why this person was given this name. 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 …
Do you want an easy way to find out if you look like your ancestors? Let Family Search’s new tool do the work for you. In this post, I’ll teach you how it works. I have spent way too much time lately uploading my family photographs to Family Search’s new “Compare a Face” tool to …
Are you wondering how many ancestors you have? In this post, I’ll teach you how to figure out how many ancestors you have – with a slight catch.
If many people have the same wrong person in your tree, and are DNA-matched, this could be confirmation bias in genetic genealogy. Learn how to avoid this!
Do you have Swedish ancestry? If you do, you might be interested in learning more about your Swedish immigrant ancestors, why they came to America, how to research your Swedish ancestry, and whether or not a DNA test can help you. If this sounds like you, this post will help you. Why did Swedish immigrants …
If you have been contacted by a DNA match who was adopted, or you’ve reached out to a match and discovered they are adopted, and you’d like to help them, this post is for you. It’s wonderful that you want to be a good DNA cousin and family member to your newly discovered relation! In …
Do you want to know how to learn about your German immigrant ancestors? In this post, you will learn about German immigration to America, how to find your German ancestor’s immigration records, and more! Are you one of the more than 44 million Americans with German ancestry? The number of German-Americans living in the United …