The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is an interview with Libby Copeland, author of the new book The Lost Family: How DNA Testing is Upending Who We Are. We discuss some of the main themes in the book, from ethnicity estimates, the history of genetic genealogy, the use of DNA to solve cold cases, and surprises that come from testing. Libby also shares her own experience with genealogy and DNA te...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to find your female ancestors. We interview Lisa Lisson, the author of the Are You My Cousin? blog. Lisa shares four helpful strategies to get around the common problems encountered when researching the women in our family tree. Join us as we talk about these proven strategies and unique record types (even cookbooks!). Links Researching Female An...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about Richard Miller's new chrome extension, Goldie May. The extension logs each website you visit and offers helpful research guidance. Start with a person in your FamilySearch Family Tree, then set an objective. Goldie May advises you where to look for locality information, suggests reviewing the ancestor's timeline, and reviewing the sources already att...

DNA Research Reports – the Ultimate Finish by Robin at Family Locket Writing a Research Report on a DNA Research Project by Diana at Family Locket - includes Diana's sample report about Benjamin Cox Research Like a Pro with DNA – What's Next? by Nicole at Family Locket Research Like a Pro eCourse Study Group - more information and email list Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide by Diana Elde...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to use a research log in your genetic genealogy research. We discuss the sources and methods to include in your log, how to best keep track of your DNA matches, correspondence logs, and tech tools that will help you be efficient. We discuss how to use a database tool called Airtable to help you with big projects where you have a lot of DNA matche...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to find and use gazetteers in your genealogy research. Diana and Nicole discuss how to locate them using the FamilySearch Wiki, Google, and library catalogs, and what kind of helpful information they contain. They share several examples of helpful gazetteers, including Meyers Gazetteer for Germany, the U.S. Geographic Name Information System, Nam...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to analyze a record thoroughly and find clues for future research. Nicole is preparing her portfolio to submit to the Board for Certification of Genealogists, so we are discussing portfolio element 3 - Document Work - in conjunction with this subject. For this portfolio element, applicants are given a document to transcribe and analyze. We focus...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to include contextual information in your genealogical writing. Whether you are writing a research report, proof argument, or a family history narrative, adding context will aid you. You may want to flesh out an ancestor's life with details about their occupation and community, or add to your body of evidence by discussing the laws that prompted...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to create DNA source citations. We will discuss the importance of citing and saving DNA information, the citation elements described in Genealogy Standard #5, and how to cite DNA matches and tools using this formula. We give several examples of what each element could be, from the DNA testing company name, to the details about an mtDNA haplogroup...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to create a research plan with DNA sources and methods. Robin Wirthlin joins us as we discuss the next step in the Research Like a Pro with DNA process. We talk about the summary of known facts for documentary sources, and also for DNA sources. We go over how to identify possible sources and methods, including DNA analysis tools, then prioritize...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is an interview with Michael Strauss, Accredited Genealogist Professional. Michael is an expert on United States federal records and military records. We will talk about military service records beginning with the Revolutionary War and ending with the Phillipine Insurrection (1898-1902). Michael shares how Fred Ainsworth was instrumental in creating the compi...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to prepare a lineage society application for the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Kathy Kaldis is a professional genealogist and an expert on submitting successful Mayflower Society applications. She guides us through the process of working with state societies to prove your lineage to a Mayflower passenger. Listen in for her great advic...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about locating the route your ancestors might have taken as they traveled to a new area. Exploring migration could open up new areas of research in your genealogy brick walls. Taking a look at the historical roads and trails that our ancestors possibly traveled can add to their story and help understand more about their lives. It might even lead to more di...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to choose items from your next action list based on your time, context, energy, and so forth. Engaging with your next actions list is how you actually get things done in your system. We'll talk about tools we use and how our circumstances often dictate what we choose to do at any point during the day. Join us as we discuss getting our family hist...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about the fourth step in Getting Things Done, reflecting. Regularly capturing the new items that have risen to the surface, reviewing your calendar and project lists, and processing new materials can keep your mind free to do its best work. We discuss the weekly review, getting clear, getting current, and getting creative. We also talk about the big pictur...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about setting up an organizational system that you trust to hold your projects and give you reminders about what needs to be done on any certain day. What good is a filing system or calendar that is never used? Have you tried a new tool but given up when it didn't meet your needs? This is the time to revisit how you're organizing your genealogy and make so...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about genealogy education opportunities, including attending genealogy conferences like RootsTech. Our guest, Amberly Beck, talks about her first experience at RootsTech in Salt Lake City and how Tom Jones' classes impacted her. She also shares about her experience speaking at RootsTech London and some of the classes she liked there. After recording the ep...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is an interview with Alice Childs. Alice is a professional genealogist and recent graduate of our Research Like a Pro with DNA study group. She is sharing the DNA research process she used to discover a client's immigrant ancestors' origins. She is also sharing the full report, so scroll down to find the link to her services pages where it's listed as a work...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to find articles using the Periodical Source Index (PERSI). There are two different search pages to use. Learn about the differences between them and how to use them effectively to find the articles that might help in your research. We also go over 7 ways to obtain the articles you find in the Periodical Source Index, and how to search using stat...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about the periodical source index. This index to periodicals useful to genealogists was originally created by the Allen County Public Library and published in print and fiche formats. Now, genealogists can access the index online at FindMyPast ! Join us as we discuss what you might find in the index and how the articles might be of use to you. Links PERSI...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is part 2 of our series on getting things done. Following David Allen's method, we discuss the second part - clarifying.  You look at your list of projects and things to do, and think broadly about what you want to do. Consider delegating some of the things on your list. Then, put your items in a prioritized order, based on when you can get to them. Think dee...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about David Allen's book, Getting Things done: the art of stress-free productivity and the applications to family history and genealogy research. We discuss the overview of his program and some examples of capturing, clarifying, and organizing. Links Family History and Getting Things Done - by Diana at Family Locket Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-F...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is a discussion with Robin Wirthlin about DNA tools and methods involving segment data. AncestryDNA doesn't provide segment data, but the other companies do! With chromosome browsers and segment data, you can use segment triangulation and chromosome mapping to prove common ancestors. Join us as we talk about how this all works! Links The Chromosome Browser: A...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is a discussion with Robin Wirthlin about how to use DNA tools and methodology in your genetic genealogy. This is part 1 of DNA tools, focusing on creating genetic networks, pedigree triangulation, and the What are the Odds tool at DNA Painter. We grouped these together because they are usually the first tools and methods to use. You don't need segment inform...

Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is an interview with Dana Leeds about her method of color clustering DNA Matches. This is called the Leeds Method. When she first shared her method last year, it became an instant success. The Autocluster reports created at Genetic Affairs and the Collins Leeds method are both based on the Leeds Method of color clustering. Listen in to hear all about the Leed...