When should you actually order genealogical records like birth, marriage, death, land, or military files? In this episode, professional genealogist Connie Knox explains when it’s worth paying for original records, when to look for free alternatives, and how to decide if a record will truly advance your research.
You’ll learn how to:
– Evaluate whether a record answers your research question
– Find free or low-cost records on FamilySearch, state archives, and county websites
– Use the FamilySearch Research Wiki to locate record availability by state and county
– Identify when ordering originals (like the Social Security SS-5 form) is worth the cost
– Recognize clerk copies vs. true originals
– Save money and research smarter
If you’ve ever wondered when it’s worth ordering the real record instead of relying on indexes, this episode will help you make confident, informed choices and keep your genealogy budget under control.
Master AncestryDNA grouping to organize your cousin matches efficiently. Sort your DNA matches by branches of the family tree and clarify your research results. We’ll talk about the NEW ThruLines®...
Academy members can now watch this YouTube video on the Academy dashboard, ad-free. Use this link to watch https://genealogytv.org/courses/2026-youtube-videos/lessons/finally-organize-your-ancestrydna-matches-in-under-20-minutes/
