As I am sure you all have heard by now that Footnote.com is now Fold3.

Footnote has been such a great resource over the past few years for finding military records, some census records and a bunch of random genealogical goodies. I have used it many times in my personal research as well as for clients [...]

After a brief fright in recent medical examinations I have learned the importance of knowing your health family history! Knowing about your family’s medical past truly can lead you to a healthier and more prepared future. It is an important factor in your family history that can literally change the way you live your daily [...]

I just read on Dick Eastman’s site that Walton County, Georgia’s Besse Cooper is the World’s Oldest Person at 115 years old. I was curious about Besse. Who was she? What led to her longevity, her ancestry, her lifestyle, occupation? What could I find out about her online? What an amazing life she’s led so [...]

Medieval probate records were commonly written in Latin. If you don’t know Latin don’t be discouraged- oftentimes knowing a handful of words will help you determine information about a will’s grantor, grantees, and the property being bequeathed. Here is some basic vocabulary on titles, property, and common phrases that can help you in deciphering medieval wills:
Titles:

Miles- Soldier or Knight
Armiger – Arm-bearer, Esquire
Aldermannus [...]

My time at the Salt Lake Family History Library is precious. There are so many records available to search through. Every time I leave I find myself wishing I had had just 15 more minutes and reviewing in my head the list of searches I was not able to get through.
In my quest for an [...]

As a genealogist and recent transplant to Utah, I thought I would share some tips as a newbie at the Family History Library. I moved here from Atlanta in April to join ProGenealogists and first used the library in May. For those who can’t pick up and move to Salt Lake City but plan to [...]

I recently ordered a birth certificate for a client’s ancestor who was believed to be born in Tennessee. After the usual wait time I received a certified record of “no record found.” Before simply accepting that the record was a lost cause, I took a few steps to determine the search parameters that the Tennessee [...]

One of the most useful, but lesser known resources at Ancestry.com, is their vast collection of city directories.   City directories offer a small glimpse—a year-to-year census if you will—into your ancestor’s life.  I have used city directories to help me determine:

Where an ancestor is located in a census record
When an ancestor died
When an ancestor immigrated [...]

Sometimes people researching their family history seem to forget that there is more to their ancestors than a birth and death date. If we’re truly trying to get to know our forebears, those are among the most boring bits of information since they happen to everybody! We all descend from more fascinating people than we [...]