Family Tree Research

Want to know how to make your family tree into a website? Here, learn how to export your tree into web formats in order to share your research with others.

Do you want to know how to take genealogy notes? Taking notes can save you time in the future and help keep your research focused. Learn more in this post!

Are you interested in learning about the genetic roots of the Vikings? In this post, we'll discuss the ancestry of the Vikings.

Do you feel like your ancestor must have just appeared out of nowhere? Here, learn some of the most effective strategies for breaking down "brick walls"

Do you want to know how to write an obituary genealogists will love? Want to know what to include and exactly how to write it? Learn more in this post!

Do you want to know how to transfer your family tree from Ancestry to GEDCOM format? Here, you'll learn exactly how to do it, and why everyone should.

Have you ever saved a record on Ancestry for later? Here, learn how to find your Shoebox on Ancestry, as well as how to save and delete records.

Want to know if you can use DNA and family tree research together? Learn how to use DNA as a tool for genealogy and take your research to the next level.

Wondering if there are groups of family historians all researching the same thing? Learn what the Gedmatch Ancestor Projects are and how they can help.

What is a second cousin? Our second cousins are actually closely related to us, even if we don't know all of them. Here, learn all about second cousins!

You've likely seen several documents with the same name as that of your ancestor. In this post, learn how to know which record belongs to your ancestor.

Are you brand-new to the exciting hobby of genealogy? If you have just recently decided to start learning about your ancestors, this list of family tree research tips for beginners will save you time and money. Plus, following these tips will help you learn even more about your family tree. What's not to love? In …

Do you want to know how to look up your ancestors for free? In this post, I'll teach you ways to find information about your ancestors without having to pay a subscription. It seems like every online records website wants to charge a hefty monthly fee. While some of those sites can be worth the …

Want to know how to get started in genealogy? Here, how to start your family tree research, including where to find records and where to build your tree.

Want to know what genealogy records are? Learn the definition of genealogy records, as well as which are the best records to look for and where to find them

What is a third cousin? Want to see an example of third cousins? How many third cousins do you have? Find these answers and more in this post!

If you are doing family tree research, you might stumble upon some unfamiliar terms.  Cousins removed - what in the world?  In this post, you will learn what a third cousin once-removed is, how many third cousins once-removed you might have, along with the best way to locate your third cousins. What is the definition …

Do you want to know if you can export a family tree from Ancestry? Want a step-by-step guide for how to do it? Learn how to download your Ancestry tree!

Ever wondered how to do a cultural heritage interview? Want to know cultural heritage interview questions that you could ask your relatives who immigrated?

Struggling with finding out about your female ancestors? Do you focus on certain lines of your family tree? Have you noticed sexism in genealogy research?

Your 23andMe results can be very useful for genealogical research. I'll teach you how to use your 23andMe results to build, or expand, your family tree.

What does "DNA Verified" mean on someone's tree? Why do people use this? Where to get this graphic? I answer all this, and more.

You've heard someone say that DNA matches can be helpful for family tree research. What if you already have a big tree? Can DNA matches still be helpful?

Find out how to get free download of the Family Tree Builder software from My Heritage. Plus, learn about some of the coolest features of the software.

Have you ever wondered if there is some way to know whether your family tree is accurate? Perhaps you've heard that DNA testing can help you determine whether what you know about your family history is true. As it turns out, taking a DNA test is an excellent way to verify the accuracy of your …

Have you decided to build a family tree? Genealogy is such a fun adventure, and I'm so glad that you have made the first step to getting started: deciding that you want to build a family tree. You've come to the right place for learning how to build a family tree! In this post, you'll …

Do you want to know if there is a way to determine whether you are biologically related to your parents using your DNA matches? Even if your parents can't take a DNA test, there are a few simple ways to find out if your DNA matches one or both of your parents. Note: Naturally, the …

Why should you build a family tree? In this post, I'll give you my top reasons for building a family tree.  I hope you are inspired to starting working on yours right away!

There are many places to build a family tree online, but Ancestry is the best. Here, I'll explain why it's a good idea to build your tree on Ancestry.

What is a half-cousin? A half-first cousin? You've come to the right place to find all types of half-cousins explained, as well as a half-cousin chart.

Are you interested in learning how to use your DNA to find out the identity of your biological grandparents?  No matter how old you are, or whether or not you believe your grandparents to be living, it's possible to use your DNA results to determine who they were.  If you are interested in family tree …

If you've been into genealogy or genetic genealogy for a while, you've probably heard someone say that they have traced their ancestry back to William the Conqueror (d. 1087), Julius Caesar (d. 44 BC), or even Adam and Eve.  While most of us will be skeptical, it can lead us to wonder how far back …

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 …

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 …

Do you want to learn more about your Dutch ancestors? In this post, I'll show you how to trace your dutch ancestors with DNA and genealogy.