Weekly Genealogy Toolkit

Congratulations... you're not a beginner anymore. But what's next for the podcast? 

Katie Thomas and Kaycee Connelly from Moxxy Forensic Investigations join me for a conversation about Investigative Genetic Genealogy and how people can help them in their quest to bring closure to families, and communities.    https://www.moxxyforensics.com/donate

I can't thank you enough for listening to this podcast... I've really enjoyed working on it. But just like you've listened to this one, I listen to plenty of other genealogy podcasts, and I wanted to share the ones that I listen to most.  In no particular order: Genealogy Gems Family Tree Magazine Podcast Hittin the Bricks with Kathleen The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast The Genealogy Guys DNA:ID  

Keeping your edge sharp is important as a researcher. You can learn a lot just by doing, but what about when you feel yourself starting to plateau? Let's talk about continuing education in Genealogy.    BYU Family History Program   Boston University Genealogy Studies Program   Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburg   Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research   Mid-west African American Genealogical Institute   International Society for British Genealogy and Family History   Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy   Texas Institute of Genealogical Research   Legacy Family Tree Webinars  

Would you drive cross country without a map? Then don't go researching within collections if you haven't read the description. Think of it as your roadmap for how to use the collection and what you can and can't find within. 

Until I got into genetic genealogy, I had no idea how common misattributed parentage was. The reality is, most people's trees, if they aren't also using genetic matches to validate everything, likely have the wrong biological parents in one or more places in the tree.    Today we talk about how to figure out your relationship to a match that has a non-paternity event, or NPE in their tree... Just remember, it might be in yours.   @theWGTPod  WGT on Facebook

It's only natural that the more genealogy we do, the better we get at it. In genealogy being better means being finding more records and being more accurate. So what do you do about all that work you did earlier when your skills weren't as developed. It's time for an audit.   @theWGTPod on Twitter Find me on Facebook

As an American doing genealogy, it's so exciting when you finally see those documents that show what country your family came from. Once you've learned everything there is to learn in America about them, it's time to cross the pond and start learning about them in the home country... But what if that country's records aren't in English? Have no fear, you're not at a dead end just yet.    @theWGTPod on Twitter Find me on Facebook

We've all come across that location that is challenging to research because the courthouse burned, or flooded, or was destroyed by a tornado. It's a common enough occurrence that just about every genealogist has bumped into this problem. For many this becomes a brick wall for them... don't be content to leave walls in your tree. While some information is truly lost, don't give up until you've done everything you can.  Listen to hear tips on how to get around pesky record loss and still find out the answers to your questions.    @theWGTPod on Twitter Facebook Page 

I've said it many times before, but not everything that you are going to be looking for can be found online. So grab your keys, we're going to hit the road and go check out the libraries, court houses, and dusty back rooms to find some neat stuff. 

Let's dive into a common challenge for beginner genealogists—tracking down the women in your family tree. Often, maiden names feel like locked doorways, especially in records predating 1850. We can overcome these "brick walls." From scouring censuses for hidden clues to finding forgotten family connections in wills and death certificates, this episode offers practical advice for uncovering the women in your ancestry. Learn how creativity and persistence can reveal the stories that go unnoticed. Tune in for tips, stories, and a reminder that offline research still holds treasure!

“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” -Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride.   Are you understanding your sources fully? Or are you missing parts and pieces, or worse yet, are you misunderstanding what your source is or what it is saying? Spend some time researching the process that generated the document you are looking at, and research any terms that you don't fully understand. You might be surprised what you find.  The Legal Genealogist

Sorry for the lengthy episode this week, but I just couldn't help it. I wanted to talk about an episode of early American history little known outside of the state of North Carolina. It's an important event though, and it's a great example of the kind of small historical footnotes that may have featured prominently in the lives of your ancestors.    If you want to learn more about the North Carolina Regulator Movement, check out the following books: Dissenting Farmers by Carole Watterson Troxler Breaking Loose Together by Marjoleine Kars

These days, it seems like even your breakfast cereal has AI in it. But can you use the most common AI tools for genealogy? Absolutely yes! but they should come with a surgeon general's warning. 

You can use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and probably just about any other social media platform out there for genealogy. This episode will go over a brief "walkthrough" of how to find some cousins, and even more good information using your favorite time-waster.    @theWGTPod

Have you ever gotten into a new hobby and it seemed so affordable at first. You buy a thing here or there, none of which cost much money... but after you've been in it for a bit and you tally it up, you've spent a small fortune? Genealogy is like that, but the spending never really ends.  It's okay though, because you can absolutely get a lot of family history research done for little or even no money. Let's jump in and figure out how to be kind to our piggy bank, and still uncover all those family mysteries.    FamilySearch USGenWeb RootsWeb Cyndi's List  

Fall in! you've reached the last episode in the special series on military records. If this is your first to tune into, have a look back through the series. It's time to learn a bit about how to research your military ancestors. I'll be looking through a number of American Conflicts and talking about some of the specific resources available for that conflict and probably sprinkling in some more broadly applicable military research tips. This week we talk about World War 2. Links in this episode: Masters of the Air by Donald Miller Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors by James Hornfischer Silent Victory by Clay Blair Jr. A Brief History of the U.S. Army in World War II UNITED STATES ARMY IN WORLD WAR II: READER'S GUIDE Request Military Service Records IDPF FOIA Address: Department of the Army U.S. Army Human Resources Command ATTN: AHRC-FOIA 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Dept. 107 Fort Knox, Kentucky 40122-5504 502-613-4400 [email protected] Select Online IDPFs at the National Archives American Battle Monuments Commission Courthouse Plaza II 2300 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22201 703-696-6897 Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Submarine War Patrol Reports Veterans Affairs Regional Offices Unit Histories US Army Center of Military History US Naval History and Heritage Command USMA Digital History Center - Atlases

Fall in! It's time to learn a bit about how to research your military ancestors. I'll be looking through a number of American Conflicts and talking about some of the specific resources available for that conflict and probably sprinkling in some more broadly applicable military research tips. This week we talk about World War 1.  Links in this episode: A Peace to End All Peace by David Fromkin Over There: The United States Army in the Great War 1917-1918 by Byron Farwell ORDER OF BATTLE OF THE UNITED STATES LAND FORCES IN THE WORLD WAR UNITED STATES ARMY IN THE WORLD WAR 1917-1919 THE U.S. ARMY IN THE WORLD WAR I ERA VETERANS ADMINISTRATION CLAIM FILES AND WORLD WAR I BURIAL FILES Request Military Service Records The American Legion Digital Archive Order of the First World War Resource Page US Army Center of Military History US Naval History and Heritage Command USMA Digital History Center - Atlases

Fall in! It's time to learn a bit about how to research your military ancestors. I'll be looking through a number of American Conflicts and talking about some of the specific resources available for that conflict and probably sprinkling in some more broadly applicable military research tips. This week we talk about The Civil War Links in this episode: This Great Struggle by Stephen Woodworth The organization and administration of the Union army, 1861-1865 / by Fred Albert Shannon v.1 The organization and administration of the Union army, 1861-1865 / by Fred Albert Shannon v.2 The Armies in Gray by Dan Fullerton Fold3.com Civil War Collection National Archives Civil War Collection US Army Register of Enlistments (FamilySearch, Ancestry, Fold3) Civil War era medical terms Union Pension Records Confederate Pension Records 1883 Pension Roll (Ancestry) US Army Center of Military History US Naval History and Heritage Command American Battlefield Trust USMA Digital History Center - Atlases

Fall in! It's time to learn a bit about how to research your military ancestors. I'll be looking through a number of American Conflicts and talking about some of the specific resources available for that conflict and probably sprinkling in some more broadly applicable military research tips. This week we talk about the Mexican War Links in this episode: The Occupation of Mexico (PDF) What Hath God Wrought by Daniel Walker Howe (Amazon) Abstract of Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers (FamilySearch) Order Compiled Service Records from the National Archives Limited Compiled Service Records (Ancestry) US Army Register of Enlistments (FamilySearch, Ancestry, Fold3) Pension Records Index (FamilySearch) 1883 Pension Roll (Ancestry) US Army Center of Military History US Naval History and Heritage Command USMA Digital History Center - Atlases

Fall in! It's time to learn a bit about how to research your military ancestors. I'll be looking through a number of American Conflicts and talking about some of the specific resources available for that conflict and probably sprinkling in some more broadly applicable military research tips. This week we talk about the War of 1812.  Links in this episode: Campaign of 1812 (PDF) 1812: The War that Forged a Nation by Walter Borneman War of 1812 Index to Service Records (FamilySearch, Ancestry) Order Compiled Service Records from the National Archives US Army Register of Enlistments (FamilySearch, Ancestry, Fold3) Pension Records (FamilySearch, Ancestry, Fold3) 1840 Census of Pensioners  1883 Pension Roll (Ancestry) Bounty Land Warrants (Ancestry) US Army Center of Military History US Naval History and Heritage Command American Battlefield Trust USMA Digital History Center - Atlases     @theWGTPod

Fall in! It's time to learn a bit about how to research your military ancestors. I'll be looking through a number of American Conflicts and talking about some of the specific resources available for that conflict and probably sprinkling in some more broadly applicable military research tips.  Links in this episode: US Army Center of Military History The Continental Army US Naval History and Heritage Command Patriot Pirates (Book) NARA Revolutionary War Resources Military Bounty Land Map American Battlefield Trust USMA Digital History Center - Atlases   @theWGTPod

Let's look at the crucial role of maps in genealogical research. Learn how to use maps for verifying geographic details, understanding historical boundaries, and locating ancestral lands.   Library of Congress David Rumsey Maps Arcanum Maps FamilySearch.org Google Earth Pro Georectification tutorial   Say hi @theWGTPod

Sorry to leave you without any tips this week. But I'll be back next week.    Take care -Ed

Let's have a look at the intricate world of probate records. Discover how understanding probate processes and documents can uncover valuable insights about your ancestors. Learn key terms, the steps involved, and how to navigate this complex area of genealogy. Whether you're a beginner or looking to deepen your research skills, this episode provides essential tips to help you master probate records. 

Come along as I explore the fascinating journey along the Great Wagon Road, the I-95 of colonial America. Discover how this historic migration route shaped cultural identities and settlement patterns in the eastern United States. Learn tips for tracing your ancestors' steps and breaking through genealogy brick walls.  If you're just starting or you've been at this for a while, it never hurts to learn about the context in which your ancestors lived and in this case... moved.   @theWGTPod

Let's dive into the fascinating world of historical documents and the art of deciphering old handwriting.  Discover the secrets to identifying common letterforms, distinguishing between different historical writing styles, and overcoming the hurdles of faded ink and archaic language. We'll also explore the tools and resources available to aid in your document decoding journey. Enhance your skills and unlock the stories hidden in old manuscripts with our practical advice and insights. BYU Handwriting History   @theWGTPod

In this special episode of the Weekly Genealogy Toolkit, I share my personal journey into genealogy and the reasons behind my passion for family history.  I talk about the therapeutic and enlightening aspects of genealogy, emphasizing how uncovering the stories of my ancestors provided him with perspective, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of his own identity.  Whether you're a seasoned genealogist or someone new to the hobby, this episode offers a look at the motivations behind family history research and encourages listeners to explore their own roots. Tune in to hear my story and learn why family history matters not just to me, but to all of us. If you find this episode meaningful, please share it with someone who might benefit from a new perspective on their own family history. Don't forget to reach out to me on Twitter @theWGTPod with any questions or to share your own family history stories. Thank you for listening, and see you next time!

Just like with any good detective, building timelines can help the genealogist make sense of all the information they've found on a particular ancestor. You can use them to audit your research, reject hypotheses, and identify indirect evidence to answer your questions. Listen this week as we dig into timelines.  Aeon Timeline Website

Late 18th century into the early 19th century of American immigration has become the iconic imagery for what American immigration is all about. Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and huddled masses of unfortunate Europeans, yearning for their shot at the American Dream. But who were they? Where did they come from and where did they settle? And most importantly how do we research them?    Steven Morse One-Step Webpages

Immigration research is one of the most rewarding parts of genealogy. It's breathtaking the first time you see your ancestor on a ship's manifest indicating their original hometown. The next thing you know, you'll be learning how to make pierogis or haggis. But what can you do when there is no ship's manifest? This week I look at early American immigration, and some records that can help you answer your questions. 

Adoption is one of the more challenging situations to face within genealogy. Even more challenging is when there is no documentation of the adoption ever occurring. That doesn't mean that this constitutes an insurmountable challenge though. Learn about 19th Century Adoption in this week's case study.    @theWGTPod

In this week's episode, let's talk about maximizing the power of search functions across various genealogy websites. Understanding how to effectively use search operators and other advanced tips can significantly enhance your research outcomes.    @theWGTPod

I really love maps. I just wish that they wouldn't change so much. No, I'm not worried about the tectonics plates moving around the globe so much as the ever moving political borders that makes genealogy work so challenging sometimes. Sometimes answering the question of where your ancestor lived isn't so straight forward. Listen to this week's episode as we explore evolving borders and what that means for our research.    chronas.org Atlas of Historical County Boundaries David Rumsey Maps Library of Congress Maps   @theWGTPod

Doing genealogical research from the comfort of your own home is great, but doing that work in physical repositories that have documents that no one has ever seen since they were created is amazing. Standing on the property of your many times great grandparents is a bucketlist item. In this week's episode I talk about ways to get the most out of your trip so that as soon as you finish your first one, you'll start planning your next one. 

Burnout maybe inherent in just about anything if you do it long enough, and genealogy is no exception. But if you find yourself sitting there staring at your screen, unable to summon the energy to continue the search... is that it? Are you done with genealogy? You don't have to be. Today I talk about a number of techniques to stay in the field, but give yourself a break.    @theWGTPod

You spend a lot of time looking at names when working on genealogy... but how much time are you spending thinking about those names? Chances are, you have some great clues for future research just sitting there in the names of the ancestors already sitting in your family tree. Listen now to learn what's in a name?   @theWGTPod

Did you know that if you are just logging into the big genealogy websites, filling out a form and clicking 'search' you are leaving an entire world of information undiscovered. This week, we look at unindexed records and the potential gold mine that these represent. Where do you find them and how do you use them? Listen in to find out. 

It's so easy to use the main search feature on Ancestry, My Heritage, Family Search and all the rest. You just punch in a name and click search. But where should you go when you do that and you don't see what you're expecting to find? Well, leave the main search page, and head over to the card catalog. It may seem intimidating at first, but you will thank my later.    Reach out on twitter: @theWGTPod

History matters. This is the first episode in what might become a quarterly series, highlighting little known, but fascinating micro histories that you might be surprised to find when you start looking into the history of the world your ancestors inhabited. In this episode, 167 men get punished for a murder. How'd that happen? Map of Fort Brown Map of Brownsville University of North - The Texas Portal to Texas History:  https://texashistory.unt.edu/explore/collections/BRAF/ Amazon.com - Brownsville Texas Incident of 1906: The True and Tragic Story of a Black Battalion's Wrongful Disgrace and Ultimate Redemption, By William Baker: https://a.co/d/67dNJdT   Contact me on Twitter @theWGTPod

History matters. And not because it's helpful in understanding the present, or because it allows civilizations to learn from their mistakes, or because its ability to inspire. It matters because to your ancestors, it was their now. This week I talk about how I go about understanding the world of my ancestors. 

Trust no one. Just because it's on an old document doesn't make it the truth. You'll never know if you've found yourself researching that small town with a big secret unless you analyze your sources. Get ready to shake up your tree, because there's some learning to be done.    Episode 7 - Types of Evidence: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/types-of-evidence/id1724689931?i=1000645822239

It's easy to get lost when you are working on a challenging genealogy project. Try leaving yourself some breadcrumbs so you can retrace your path if you need to, or get back on track if it's been a while since you last worked on that project. This episode is all about research logs... the genealogical breadcrumbs. 

RootsTech 24 was a great conference. No matter how experienced you are in genealogy, there's always something to learn there and this year was no different.  So, grab your favorite cozy spot and let's unravel the magic of RootsTech together. 

This week, I spill the beans on the ultimate genealogy event: RootsTech! Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just dipping your toes into the gene pool, RootsTech offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. Join me as I share the inside scoop on why you should mark your calendar for this must-attend event, whether you're joining in person or online. From inspiring keynotes to hands-on classes, there's something for everyone at RootsTech. Don't miss out on the chance to supercharge your genealogy journey. 

Have you ever felt stuck chasing that one perfect source? Well, here's the scoop: sometimes it just doesn't exit. Sometimes you need to look at indirect or negative evidence pieced together across several sources to find the answer to your question. Listen now to discover how to find those diamonds in the rough and what to do when things aren't crystal clear. 

Today we're unpacking the game-changing FAN Club Methodology. Discover how exploring the connections of Friends and Family, Acquaintances, and Neighbors can help you smash through those stubborn brick walls in your family tree.

Research plans can help your time spent doing genealogy more productive. Rather than just search, do REsearch. A good research plan is the difference between catching and not catching those fish.  FamilySearch Research Wiki Example Research Plan Templates and Examples Family Tree Resources My Family History Files American Ancestors FamilySearch

Waiting for your DNA test results to come back can remind you of being a kid on Christmas eve again. It just seems like you'll never get that e-mail stating that they are ready. But they will be ready some day, and what are you going to do with the results? How can you use your DNA to help with your work on your family tree... and what dangers are awaiting you?    Good online sources for DNA work:  DNAPainter ISOGG Wiki (International Society of Genetic Genealogy) GEDMatch.com (another site where you can upload your data and get matches) Genealogy Junkie DNA Tips DNAeXplained - Endogamy  Board for the Certification of Genealogists - DNA Resources FamilyTreeDNA Blog  

Most of the online genealogy sites make grabbing information from other people's trees easy. It's great to share, but what about when that information is wrong? This is the mistake that most genealogists make!