Two genealogists began a conversation over lunch and ideas began to tumble around as they approached a common research dilemma from two different angles. It wasn’t long before they discovered these two valuable sites that led to valuable discoveries in their research. Those metal signs you see on old buildings or the metal historic markers by the side of the road may offer clues to the lives of your ancestors.

FamilySearch full text search is currently in a beta testing phase that is open to the public. FamilySearch has offered this service for free on a select but large set of records. Learn how to activate this feature, utilize it, and reap the benefits of new tech!

Whether you have finished your writing project or you are just beginning, learn how to beautifully present your work. Although electronic copies are easy to share, the printed word can last for centuries. Printed books carry a sense of value that your family deserves. This class will provide an overview of up-to-date software options to lay out your book including InDesign, Microsoft Word, Blurb Bookwright, Apple Pages, photobook makers, and Canva. Learn straightforward best practice guidelines for a clean layout that does not scream self-published. The world of printing and publishing has made rapid advances in recent years, so learn the latest printing options. Whether you seek gorgeous heritage printing on archival paper or an affordable paperback for sharing, there are services for every budget. This class will provide an apples-to-apples cost comparison Avoid common pitfalls and understand when to call in a professional.

Research on a man’s mysterious second marriage identified his wife as a romance scammer who preyed on Civil War veterans. This case study shows how evidence correlation and reasonably exhaustive research cut through the lies and misdirection in a woman’s records to establish her identity and reveal her sometimes deadly deception.

Digitized, shelved, and some in obscure places. Online indexes and searchable images. Genealogical and historical society periodicals remain as important tools. This session illustrates the kind of treasures in those periodicals that might not be found anywhere else. Decades upon decades of articles have covered culture, migration, ethnicity, military, churches, cemeteries, family connections, queries, and other aspects of town, city, county, and state ancestral research. Indexes and record explanations with hundreds of names that are not on major genealogy websites. The webinar demonstrates how those periodicals are useful and vital for research, how to access them, and special considerations for using them to benefit your research.

In Colonial & Early American Land Records, George G. Morgan explores the rich and often underutilized world of land and property records from the colonial through early federal periods of American history. This session outlines the evolution of land ownership practices across different colonial powers and the valuable genealogical clues embedded in deeds, grants, patents, dower releases, and surveys. Morgan explains how these records can uncover key information about family relationships, migrations, and vital events. The webinar equips researchers with the tools to locate, interpret, and apply land records effectively in their genealogical pursuits. This webinar was first released 22 August 2019 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.

Y-DNA and mtDNA have revolutionized genealogical research, breaking through barriers that once seemed insurmountable. This session dives into the unique inheritance patterns of Y-DNA and mtDNA, showing how these tests trace ancient ancestry and identify relationships both close and distant. Gain insights into their application for solving lineage mysteries and uncovering ancestral connections.

This case study illustrates how four simple words in a newspaper notice and DNA evidence became the key to unlocking Great Granny’s Irish roots. The research journey began with the cryptic phrase “Toowoomba papers please copy” in an 1886 death notice. This small clue directed the research to the Hanlon family in another location hundreds of kilometres away, with DNA evidence crucial to confirm the connection back to Kilkenny, Ireland. The presentation highlights the importance of scrutinising every detail in historical documents, no matter how small, and explores techniques for following unexpected leads across disparate locations, combining traditional research with DNA analysis.

This talk gives an overview of the investigative genetic genealogy process: what it is, where it is used and the basics of how it is undertaken. Nathan briefly discusses some real-life key cases that have used IGG and then moves on to his own fictional writing, focussing on the Venator Cold Case series, which uses this methodology to catch serial killers. He explains his meticulous research process, the experts that he consults and his process of writing.