Genealogy

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Genealogy Articles - by Kimberly Powell, your Genealogy Guide



25 FREE Ways to Research Your Family Tree Online
Web sites around the world contain free information of use to family tree researchers including birth, marriage, death, military and census records, ships passenger lists, surnames, wills, photos and much more! Here are twenty-five of the best.

Ancestors Season 2 - It's Better Than the Original
Ancestors, the popular family history series which first aired on PBS in 1997, is back for a second season and is better than ever... Special sneak preview right here!

Are You a Genealogy Genius?
Have fun with this quiz which tests your knowledge of some of the basic premises of genealogy.

Beginner's Guide to Researching Your French Ancestry 
Genealogy research in France is easier than most people believe due to their excellent record keeping. Learn about the major sources for genealogical information in France, including the information contained by the various records, and how to obtain copies.

Celebrate Motherhood
Celebrate your mother and all of the special mothers in your family tree with this brief history of Mother's Day and tips for finding your female ancestors.

The Courage to Compromise
The Confederate Flag is a controversial symbol. To some it is a proud emblem of Southern heritage, and to others it is a shameful reminder of slavery and segregation. South Carolina is trying to end the war once and for all.

Celebrate Your Family Heritage
Celebrate Family History Month this October with one of these great ideas for honoring your family heritage.

Civil Registration in England and Wales
A guide to birth, death, and marriage records in England and Wales including how to locate the records, how to obtain certificates from both the UK and abroad, what information is included on the certificates, and what to do if you can't locate a record for your ancestor.

Family History Centers - Part I
A Step-by-Step Guide to Using the World's Largest Genealogy Library From Your Own Home Town

Family History Centers - Part II
Part 2 of this series explains how to use FamilySearch.org to find census records, ships passenger lists, vital records, family histories, bible records, and much more!

Family History Centers - Part III
Part 3 of this series introduces a new genealogy research aid, Research Guidance, which is especially useful when you can't find the information you are looking for online or when you need help in determining which records to search.

Family History Centers - Part IV
Part 4 of this series explores two more new research options on the FamilySearch Web site.  Here's the scoop on what these tools can do for you, with step-by-step instructions on how to make the most of them in your genealogy research!

Family History Centers - Part V
An insiders look into Family History Centers - what they are, how to use them, and a virtual tour with a Family History Center volunteer. Learn why these are the best genealogy resource you have!

GEDCOM 101
What exactly is a GEDCOM and how do you read one? Learn everything you need in this introduction to GEDCOM files and get started on the road to sharing family tree information with others!

Genealogy Research in the Cemetery - Step By Step
Everything you need to know to find your ancestors in cemeteries, including what you can learn from cemeteries and cemetery records, how to locate cemeteries, and what you should bring and do to make your visit a success.

Genealogy Standards - Rules to Live By
The National Genealogical Society has come to the rescue of frustrated family historians everywhere with these simple guidelines for genealogical research, using records repositories and libraries, using technology in family history research, sharing genealogy information with others, and publishing genealogy information on the Internet.

The Hatfields and McCoys Meet Again!
It is the reunion they said would never happen! The two most famous feuding families in history, plan to face off again - but this time in a friendly tug of war. Learn more about the feud, and the reasons behind the reunion.

Holiday Gifts for Genealogists
End-of-the-year holidays are about celebrating family and loved ones and creating warm and lasting memories - just like genealogy. Help to make the season even more enjoyable for your favorite family historian with these sure-to-be-appreciated gifts. 

How to Find Your Ancestors on the Internet
Essential Web searching strategies and techniques for finding surnames and family Web pages on the Internet.

Invisible Women Ancestors
Try these special strategies for uncovering hard to find information about the female ancestors in your family tree including the best resources for finding maiden names.  

Irish Roots: A Guide To Your Irish Ancestry
Explore your Irish ancestry and heritage with these wonderful online resources (including sites in Ireland).

Making Sense of the U.S. Census
What exactly is the U.S. Census and what can you discover about your ancestors from these records? Learn how to do research in the U.S. Census including how to locate the records, what information is available for each year and tips for dealing with discrepancies.

Molecular Genealogy - Is DNA the Answer to Lost Records?
The Molecular Genealogy Research Group is working to build a database of genetic family trees which will eventually enable people with blocked genealogies such as adoptions, illegitimacies or missing records to trace their origins.

Now you CAN Find Your Ancestor Online - The Race to Digitize the US Census
The race to put US census data online is heating up between Heritage Quest, Genealogy.com and MyFamily.com (parent company of Ancestry.com). Here's the scoop on what each company is offering and how much it will cost to access these digitized census records.

The Origins of Memorial Day
A brief history of the origins of Memorial Day.  Learn which towns claim the honor of the first local observance, which one was finally selected as the official "Birthplace of Memorial Day," and follow links to further resources.

The Perfect Name for Your Baby May Be Hidden in Your Past
Can't come up with a name for your baby? The perfect name may be hidden in your past. Check out these great ideas for honoring your relatives, ancestors or heritage while creating a unique name for your little one.

Who Wants to be a Canadian Genealogist?
Ever wonder what "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" might look like if there were only Canadian genealogy questions? Take my quiz and find out how genealogy savvy you are!

Teaching Your Children to be Ancestor Detectors
Most children will learn to appreciate their family history if you turn it into a detective game.  Start your children or grandchildren on a lifelong journey of discovery by introducing them to genealogy.

Top Ten Genealogy Mistakes to Avoid
Ten key mistakes that you will want to avoid in your genealogy research including hints, tips and strategies for a successful search.

What is a Genealogy Conference Anyway?
Genealogy conferences are the frosting on the cake for many genealogists. Learn why you should put attending a genealogy conference on your "must do" list, along with tips for making the most of your experience and links to upcoming events.

 



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