Category: Research

Expanded Commentary on the Rules of Genealogy: Rule Nine

Editor’s Note: This article by James Tanner was originally published in the Genealogy’s Star blog site and is used with the author’s permission. Expanded Commentary on the Rules of Genealogy: Rule Nine I have slowly been going back to the list of the Rules of Genealogy and writing about each individual rule. There are presently 12 Rules. Here is the current...

Are You Giving The Gift Of Family History?

Years ago I went to my first BYU Family History and Genealogy Conference and one of the speakers said, “If you want to find your ancestors, do other people’s research!”  There was a bit of a gasp from the audience! The thought ran through my mind, seriously? I can’t even do my own very well. This was probably a decade...

The Miracle of Community Indexing

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Karen Meyer, Area Temple & Family History Consultant, North America Southwest. You open a heavy trunk, hidden by debris in a dusty attic. Lifting the lid, you see it is full of old pictures. You routinely turn them over in your hands. You notice that a few of the pictures have a name,...

Sneak Peek: The Stars Project

In The Family History Guide there are thousands of links to helpful articles and videos on important family history topics, all just where you need them. The Online Tracker helps you track your progress with Goals and Choices, but it currently does not have a way to track whether you have read specific articles or watched certain videos. Not to...

More on Rule Four: There Are Always More Records

Editor’s Note: This blog article was originally published by James Tanner in the Genealogy’s Star blog site and is used with the author’s permission. Expanded Commentary on the Rules of Genealogy: Rule Four I published the first six Rules of Genealogy back on July 1, 2014. See “Six of the Basic Rules of Genealogy.” This short list included the most...

Is The Family History Guide for Experienced Researchers?

Although The Family History Guide is often thought of as a learning center for those new to family history, it’s also surprisingly good resource for those who are more experienced. These are people who know the basics of family history and have “been around the block” with research. Two areas where The Family History Guide shines are these: making research...

Your Work on the FamilySearch Family Tree Will Never Be “Done”

Editor’s Note: The following article was originally published by James Tanner on the “Rejoice and Be Exceeding Glad” blog site and is used by permission.  Your work on the FamilySearch Family Tree will never be “Done” Some processes and activities and our lives on earth all have a definite beginning point and an end. Genealogy changes with every new birth...

Are You Using Google for Family History and Genealogy?

Did you know that Google has only been around for 21 years? It is easy to forget what research was like in the old days, before the technology we enjoy today existed. It is such a joy to have so much instantaneous information at our fingertips.  Google is the most used and best-loved search engine for almost everybody.  There are...

Why Accuracy is so Important in Genealogy and Family History

Many visitors to The Family History Guide are new to genealogy and family history. There are a lot of misconceptions about why record sources and citations are so important. Some people feel that if a relative passed on a story it should be good enough. What we sometimes don’t consider is that those stories may not be accurate. Most people...

Do You Have a Research Plan?

Editor’s Note: This article was published in the Genealogy’s Star blog site by James Tanner and is used with the author’s permission. Do you feel your genealogical research is like a random walk in the park? Perhaps, you should think through your objectives and come up with a research plan. There is always a measure of uncertainty in any research...