After months of using AI as a research partner, I’ve learned what works—and what doesn’t. Whether you’re transcribing 18th-century deeds or analyzing complex family relationships, these five tips will help you get the most from AI while maintaining professional standards. 1. Start with a Clear Template or Format AI excels at consistency, but only if
5 Tips for Using AI in Genealogical Research Read More »
Have you ever noticed how many family trees on popular genealogy websites show the same obvious errors copied from tree to tree? I encountered this problem while researching Elenor “Elen” Carter’s parentage. According to numerous online trees, her father James Carter had married Nancy Jane Tucker in 1815 in Essex County, Virginia. The problem? The
Same Name, Different Men: How I Untangled Two James Carters in My Family Tree Read More »
“The courthouse burned.” These three dreaded words have stopped many genealogical research projects in their tracks. When I discovered that the Hickman County, Tennessee courthouse fire of 1865 had destroyed all early records that might have named Elenor Carter’s parents, and that Putnam County, Missouri lacked death records from before 1911, I could have given
Researching Around Record Loss: Strategies When Courthouse Fires Strike Read More »
When I first encountered pre-1850 census records with their frustrating tick marks instead of names, I nearly gave up using them for serious genealogical research. But in my quest to identify Elenor “Elen” Carter’s parents, these seemingly vague records became crucial evidence. Today, I want to share how I turned those anonymous tick marks into
Finding Family in Pre-1850 Census Records: My Census Detective Work Read More »
Have you ever found your ancestor recorded under different names across various records? In my research on Elenor ‘Elen’ Carter’s family, her apparent mother appeared as Polly, Mary, Jane, or Nancy in four different documents. The answer: one woman, not four — a nickname, a common double name, and likely a clerical mix-up explain all
Solving the Same-Name Puzzle: When Your Ancestor Has Multiple Identities Read More »
When I first set out to discover who the parents of my ancestor Elenor “Elen” Carter were, I had no idea that property records would ultimately provide the breakthrough I needed. Birth and death records didn’t exist for someone born in Ohio around 1823, and I kept hitting brick walls. Then I discovered the power
Following the Land: How Deeds Led Me to My Ancestor’s Parents Read More »
When I first set out to determine whether Uriah Johnson was truly the father of my ancestor Harrison Johnson, I knew I needed more than just a casual approach to DNA testing. I needed a structured research plan that would either confirm or refute my hypothesis. Today, I want to share how I developed and
From Hypothesis to Proof: Building a DNA Research Plan That Works Read More »
When combining DNA evidence with traditional genealogical research, I’ve discovered that migration patterns provide powerful context that can strengthen a case dramatically. In my quest to prove Harrison Johnson’s parentage, understanding the geographical movements of the Johnson family added a crucial dimension to my DNA findings. The Migration Trail: North Carolina to Tennessee to Missouri
Migration Patterns and DNA: How Geography Strengthened My Genetic Case Read More »
When I first started using DNA for genealogy, I was overwhelmed by match lists and centimorgans. Fast forward a few years, and I’m now using advanced techniques like network clustering and DNA coverage estimates to solve centuries-old family mysteries. Today, I want to share how these powerful methods helped me prove that Harrison Johnson (born
DNA Clusters and Coverage: Advanced Techniques for Genealogical Proof Read More »
Have you ever hit a brick wall where document evidence simply stops, leaving your ancestor’s parentage a mystery? That’s exactly where I found myself with my ancestor Harrison Johnson, born around 1813 in Tennessee. While my previous research had built a compelling case using indirect evidence that Uriah Johnson was likely Harrison’s father, I still
How DNA Solved My 200-Year-Old Family Mystery: The Harrison Johnson Case Read More »
