Family history for the 21st century
When I’m not researching history and genealogy, I’m pursuing a career in TV writing. But it doesn’t take a TV writer to tell you that this week’s episode of SUCCESSION was a banger. (Don’t watch SUCCESSION? First of all, do that! Second of all, bear with me.) The main character and monster presiding over the … Continue reading What “Succession” Can teach you about Genealogy
Came across a funny Ancestry transcription error today that I, clearly a 11-year-old at heart, had to preserve for posterity. Reader, the original record says "Tents, Huts and Shelters." But this was a chain gang so...
I’ve blogged that one of my ancestors living in the (later notorious) Forsyth County, Georgia had a 14-year-old Black child named Isaac Suthard living on his farm in 1880. I wrote that blog post 10 years ago, and at the time I just assumed that Isaac was a hired hand, in the same way that … Continue reading Find Post-Civil War Black Ancestors Through Apprenticeship Indentures
I've transcribed another letter from Edith West Harris to her brother Paschal West and his wife Rebecca Westray West here. At the time, Edith had been abandoned by her husband, Zachariah T Harris and was living "at home" with her parents, Georgie and Jennet West. Paschal and Rebecca were living in Yell County, Arkansas after … Continue reading Letter from Edith Harris West to Paschal West, April 1888
Can you help me identify these Cherokee County, GA photos?
I get a lot of my current history knowledge from podcasts, so I decided to start a new series here and on the Genealogy Technology YouTube channel on podcast reviews for genealogists. And I saved the best for first - my favorite podcast, Ben Franklin's World! Watch my video review here: I hope I came … Continue reading Podcasts for Genealogists: Ben Franklin’s World Review
I've started a new series of history podcast reviews on this blog and over at the Genealogy Technology YouTube Channel. While podcasts are becoming hugely popular, they haven't yet - as of this writing - quite hit the mainstream. I still have people asking me "What exactly is a podcast?" And the biggie: "How can … Continue reading How to Listen to Podcasts
I recently published a two-part video series on how to bust through genealogy brick walls. Just like with any good top 10 list, they get a little more creative as they go along. You can watch the entire series here, along with helpful hints and examples. Or, if you're in a hurry to finally find … Continue reading 10 Creative Ways to Bust Through Genealogy Brick Walls
Ancestry hints can be just the thing to break through genealogy brick walls, but they can just as easily lead you astray. Check out my video on what to do before accepting an Ancestry shaky leaf hint into your tree: To learn more about Ancestry hints straight from the source, check out this great video … Continue reading Use Caution When Accepting Ancestry Hints
In one of my recent Genealogy Technology YouTube videos, I compiled 7 pro tips for genealogists who are having trouble tracing their ancestors before 1850. That year was, of course, the first year that U.S. Federal Census began listing every family member rather than just heads of household. However, genealogy is about more than just … Continue reading 7 Tips for Tracing your Pre-1850 U.S. Ancestors
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