Who Gets Included in the Family Tree?
There has been some interesting discussion in Genea-land lately about who to include in family trees. Certainly for those with UK or European ancestry, it … Read more
Taphophila is a Grave Business
As my kids know only too well, I am a bit of a “taphophile”. Taphophile: someone with a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. Taphophilia … Read more
I’m Not Sure What My Clan Is
Having spent several weekends at highland games this summer, assisting people with their Scottish genealogy research, likely the most common comment I heard was, “I’m … Read more
What Do You Want in Your Obituary?
Our local newspaper now charges for obituaries. Some obituaries are short and to the point, while others take up several columns. It got me thinking … Read more
Google – Your Genealogy Guru
I love Google. It’s simple, efficient, opens a world of knowledge and makes me feel smart just through its simplicity and ease of use. But … Read more
Why ISN’T Everything Online?
We so often hear “not everything is online” And that is very true. Likely less than five percent of all of the archival documents available … Read more
The Fotygraft Album
Most recently I sold used books that were donated by the community. I find many books interesting reading, but one caught my eye. It was … Read more
Why It’s Important to Use Desktop Family Tree SOFTWARE
Big name databases have all encouraged us to create our family trees online. And while this is fine, it is also limiting. You still need … Read more
Preparing for a Genealogy Road Trip
If you are planning to head to the state or provincial archives to do research on your ancestors, it is important to plan ahead so … Read more
Newspapers: Our National Treasure
Our first amendment right gives us such treasures in the newspapers: from the past and those of today! Genealogists can enjoy the benefits of hours … Read more
The Learning Curve – Learn about Genealogy
One of the best things about genealogy is the many opportunities to learn. Workshops, magazines, blogs, conferences and even Facebook pages/groups. Whether you are a … Read more
To Read or Not to Read: Grandma’s Diary
Grandma passed away in December of 2007 at the age of 101( b 1906). Each of us grandchildren felt very close to grandma and despite … Read more
Researching Ancestry on the Periphery
Do you remember this song from Sesame Street? “Who are the people in your neighbourhood…. They’re the people that you meet When you’re walking down … Read more
Family Reunion – Finding Artifacts from the Past
Summer is family reunion time and it was for our ancestors too. What records and artifacts might our ancestors have left for us to find? … Read more
Scottish Surnames and Spelling
It is important to note that spelling was not consistent until dictionaries made it standard in the 1800s. Until this time, spelling was quite fluid … Read more
Canadian Sources, Eh?
If your ancestors originate from the British Isles, and came to north America after the Revolutionary war, it was easier for them to immigrate through … Read more
How to Preserve Old Documents, Photographs and Files?
One of the most asked questions on genealogy blogs and in Facebook genealogy groups is how to preserve old genealogy documents, papers, photographs, and digital files. … Read more
Packing for the Cemetery: Genealogy Style
I just LOVE visiting cemeteries. My mom would just laugh if she were alive to hear that. Grow-ing up, my mom and aunt would take … Read more
Using Twitter for Genealogy
The first question might be “just what is Twitter anyway?” Well, simply put, Twitter is a social media venue that allows access to instant information. … Read more
It’s Elementary, Dear Watson
Part of the joy of genealogy research is the thrill of the hunt. We tune into, hone and cultivate our inner detective. Let’s look at … Read more