Discover MyHeritage from Downunder

Key points and insights

In her dynamic and globally relevant session, “Discover MyHeritage from Down Under,” Australian genealogist Shauna Hicks guides viewers through the powerful research potential of MyHeritage, especially for users tracing ancestors across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and beyond. With decades of archival experience and a love of uncovering unexpected details, Hicks demonstrates how MyHeritage’s tools—from historical records and directories to new DNA features—can breathe life into family history and solve even longstanding genealogical puzzles.

Key Takeaways:

• Use Filters, Variants, and Broad Searches for Better Results: Hicks emphasizes the importance of flexible searching. By adjusting filters, name variants, and even searching for relatives like spouses or children, researchers can discover records missed by rigid queries. She illustrates how electoral rolls, post office directories, and name spelling errors can reveal critical migration or family data.
• Browsing by Collection Unlocks Unexpected Finds: One of Hicks’ favorite strategies is browsing newly added or localized record collections. She demonstrates how lesser-known sources like hospital registers, prison records, and regional histories can offer rich details—including colorful anecdotes from Cornwall and the surprising presence of an Australian ancestor in an English jail.
• Leverage New Tools Like Cousin Finder and Ancient Origins: Hicks highlights MyHeritage’s latest features, including Cousin Finder, which helped her identify DNA matches and solve long-standing lineage questions in seconds. The Ancient Origins tool provides users with a deep ancestral snapshot dating back to the Bronze Age, offering a fascinating context for genetic heritage.

This engaging webinar is perfect for family historians looking to make the most of their MyHeritage subscription or exploring its potential for the first time. Hicks not only demonstrates how to uncover buried records, but also how to make meaning from them—especially through unexpected gems like old community biographies, annotated baptismal records, and digitized family trees.

To unlock the full power of these tools and strategies, watch the complete session and explore the detailed syllabus materials. Whether tracing Cornish miners, Canadian cousins, or convict ancestors, this class will expand your genealogical horizons—and perhaps reveal more than you thought possible.