10 Surprising Things I Discovered about My Ancestors Using MyHeritage

Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A.
Sep 17, 2025
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Content

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Welcome
21s
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Speaker's Introduction
1m 01s
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Introduction
4m 39s
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Record Matches
4m 23s
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Smart Matches
9m 02s
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Instant Discoveries
2m 52s
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Collection Catalog
6m 04s
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Photo Tools
7m 19s
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OldNews.com
4m 42s
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DNA Tools
4m 29s
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PedigreeMap and More
5m 29s
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Announcements / prizes
1m 58s
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Questions / answers
4m 23s

About this webinar

MyHeritage has a plethora of records and tools to help you make amazing discoveries about your ancestors. Learn how a long-time genealogist uncovered new facts about hard-to-find ancestors and found previously clues to solve research problems using MyHeritage.

About the speakers

About the speakers

Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A., is a freelance writer, instructor, and internationally recognized lecturer specializing in Eastern European research and nonfiction writing. She is the author of 11 books, including the award-winning Three Slovak Women
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MyHeritage is the leading global destination for discovering, preserving and sharing family history. Our platform and DNA kits make it easy for anyone, anywhere to embark on a meaningful journey into their past and treasure their family stories fo
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Key points and insights

Exploring family history often leads to unexpected revelations, and in this engaging Webtember session, genealogist and author Lisa Alzo demonstrates just how powerful modern research tools can be. In her presentation, 10 Surprising Things I Discovered About My Ancestors Using MyHeritage, Alzo walks viewers through real-life examples of discoveries made with the platform’s diverse features. From unlocking forgotten family stories hidden in yearbooks and newspapers to connecting with living cousins across the globe, the session showcases how MyHeritage can enrich genealogical research by combining technology, historical records, and personal narratives.

Key Takeaways:

  • Harnessing Record and Smart Matches: Automated hints from MyHeritage’s record collections revealed unexpected details about Alzo’s family, including her father’s forgotten role as a football team manager and rare photographs shared by cousins. These features not only save time but also help confirm or challenge family lore.

  • Adding Depth with Newspapers and DNA Tools: Through digitized newspaper archives, Alzo uncovered her grandfather’s involvement in a political controversy and obtained valuable obituaries and estate notices. Meanwhile, DNA testing and cousin connections extended her tree internationally, especially within her Slovak ancestry.

  • Bringing Ancestors to Life with Photo Tools and AI: Enhancements, colorization, and animation features gave Alzo a fresh perspective on her grandparents as vibrant individuals before they became “grandma and grandpa.” Combining these visual tools with AI-generated biographies provided context and emotion that deepened her personal connection to their stories.

This webinar is more than a demonstration of technology; it is a vivid reminder of the ever-evolving ways genealogists can uncover, preserve, and share their family histories. Watching the full presentation will provide invaluable tips on maximizing MyHeritage’s resources, ensuring that researchers can make discoveries of their own—both big and small.

To continue the journey, genealogists are encouraged to explore the additional resources included in the webinar syllabus, which expand upon the strategies discussed and offer guidance for diving deeper into family history research.

Comments (61)

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  1. PD
    Patrick Deady
    6 days ago

    Goood.

    Reply
  2. MH
    Marilyn Hartley-Kik
    6 days ago

    Great Speker and love the new tips

    Reply
  3. JH
    Joanne Howard
    6 days ago

    Excellent presentation. Learnt a lot of new things to try.

    Reply
  4. ER
    Edward Rosenthal
    6 days ago

    Lots of excellent materials.

    Reply
  5. JA
    Jean Ameduri
    6 days ago

    Being unfamiliar with MyHeritage, I was pleased that she spoke about so many options on this paid genealogy website.

    Reply
  6. FB
    FREDDA BUTLER
    6 days ago

    I learned so much!! But I am glad I can look at this webinar over and over!

    Reply
  7. RD
    Randall Dodds
    6 days ago

    very informative.

    Reply
  8. HW
    H-V White
    6 days ago

    Really insightful, lots of great take aways on how to get the best out of My Heritage. For anyone who is seriously considering finding out about their family heritage, it’s a great tool to get stuff done.

    Reply

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