AncestryDNA has updated how it predicts certain close-family relationships. Instead of relying primarily on the total number of centimorgans you share with one DNA match, Ancestry can now examine patterns of DNA sharing among networks of shared matches. In this video, I’ll show you what has changed in the DNA Match List and explain how […]
Ancestry has begun rolling out a redesigned ThruLines experience, and in this video I’ll show you what’s new, how it works, and why I think it’s a major improvement for DNA research. We’ll explore the new ancestor and descendant views, compare the new layout with the classic version, and look at how Ancestry is helping […]
Think you know everything about Find a Grave? Think again! In this video, I’ll show you several free Find a Grave tips and tricks that can make your genealogy research more accurate, more organized, and more productive. Whether you’re brand new to Find a Grave or have been using it for years, there are features […]
This episode, produced earlier this year, is full of key strategies that can be used to build a successful family history. Do you know the Big Four record groups you should search for every ancestor? If you can remember Census, Vital, Land, and Probate, you can build and prove your lineage generation after generation. In […]
How many records are enough to prove your family history? One of the most misunderstood concepts in genealogy is Reasonably Exhaustive Research—the first standard of the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS). In this lesson, I explain what it really means, why it matters, and how it helps you build stronger, evidence-based conclusions. ?? JOIN the GENEALOGY […]
Use Revolutionary War records to verify disputed service history. Follow along as I research a soldier at the NC State Archives. Genealogy research often hits a wall when service records conflict with family stories. This video demonstrates how to navigate official archives to find the truth about an ancestor’s military service. If you are struggling […]
Ashley and I walk through how I use DNA matches to work out where an unknown match fits in a family tree. We map Ashley’s case in Lucidchart, keep generations aligned, compare shared matches, and use DNA Painter’s shared centimorgan tool to narrow the possible relationships. You’ll see how a visual chart can make half-sibling […]
If you’ve ever tried to piece together a family member’s military service from World War II, you’ve probably hit a wall at some point. In this episode, Ashley Moore joins me to talk through what records are actually out there, what to realistically expect, and how to keep going when things run dry.
Have you ever found a genealogy book packed with information about your ancestors… but no index? That was my problem with an 1890 history of Randolph County, North Carolina. The book contains dozens of references to my ancestors and their neighbors, but finding those names over and over again was becoming a challenge. So I […]
Academy Members – Use this link below to watch this YouTube video on the Academy dashboard. The handout is included in the lesson. https://genealogytv.org/courses/2026-youtube-videos/lessons/creating-an-index-from-a-pdf-ancestry-networks/
