Category: Research

New Videos: U.S. Military Records and DNA Research Case Studies

We recently added three new Quick Research Basics videos to our YouTube Channel and to the website: U.S. Military Records, Revolutionary War Records, and DNA Research Case Studies. You can watch the videos below, in the Quick Research Basics playlist on YouTube, or in United States Goal E1 (Military Records), Goal E2 (By Conflict), and Project 8: DNA, Goal 1,...

MyKoseki.com – a Must-see Site for Japanese Genealogy

One of the most powerful tools for doing family history research in Japan is using the “koseki,” which is the Japanese family registry required in Japan. This registry records births, adoptions, marriages, deaths, etc. for Japanese families. Recently we discovered a great website, MyKoseki.com, that makes it simple and easy to learn about, find, and use koseki records in your...

New QRB Videos – DNA Testing

We have added two new Quick Research Basics videos, on your YouTube Channel and as Intro videos in The Family History Guide. These are narrated by Debbie Weaver, a RootsTech presenter on DNA testing and family history research. Intro to Research with DNA: Learn the basics of how DNA testing can provide you with additional clues and resources for extending...

What Are the Locations of Events in Your Ancestors’ Lives?

Note: This article was published previously in the Genealogy’s Star blog site.     The most important element in accurate genealogical research is determining an accurate and specific location for an event in an ancestor’s life. Here is an example of a place that is not specific enough to be useful for research copied from the FamilySearch.org Family Tree. This entry is...

Find Your Military Ancestors with The Family History Guide

Today is Memorial Day in the United States, where military veterans are remembered and honored. No matter what country you are from, chances are good that you have one or more ancestors who completed military service. Finding out more about their lives can be a source of inspiration and connection. The Family History Guide can help you discover more about...

New Videos from The Family History Guide

We’ve recently added several new videos to our YouTube Channel and The Family History Guide. Let’s take a look at what’s new:   Spain Research Overview—This video is the first in a two-part series. It focuses on the history of Spain and how it has influenced the language and culture of the people. This gives you a background in understanding...

What is in a name? Taking Your Genealogical Research to a Higher Level

Note: This article appeared previously in the Genealogy’s Star blog site.     My Great-great-grandfather’s name was David Thomas b. 1820, d. 1888. He was born in Wales. Sometime, probably after he died, he “acquired” a middle name and became “David Nathan Thomas.” Here is a photo of his grave marker with his name as “David N. Thomas.” However, every...

New QRB Videos: Maps and Surnames

We have recently posted three new Quick Research Basics videos on our YouTube Channel. These are by Miles Meyer, Education Director for The Family History Guide Association. They have subtitle captions in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino, and they cover the following topics:   Using Historical Maps—Learn how historical maps can help you locate your...

Finding the Female Ancestors in Your Line

As we pause and give thanks to mothers everywhere on this Mothers’ Day, we should note the special place that they have in our family histories and pedigrees. As genealogists, sometimes we get distracted by looking only for male ancestral lines, to see how far back we can extend a link. There is much more to family history than that,...

What Is Genealogical Research?

Note: This article was published previously on the Genealogy’s Star blog site. A quote attributed to Confucius says: “To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.” A common genealogical saying similarly states that you should always begin your research by proceeding from what you know to what you do not know. I find...