Because I get that I need to know a lot more about DNA, I’m currently in the Research Like a Pro with DNA 6 Study group. The other day my fabulous peer group leader, Claire DeLeo brought up an interesting question. Have my DNA ethnicity estimates changed since I first took a test? I was … Read more
Psst! If the land records in this post interest you, sign up for my upcoming “Land Records: The Cornerstone of Georgia Genealogy” presentation for the Georgia Genealogical Society on August 8, 2024. As a Cherokee County, Georgia-based genealogist who loves to get out of the house and go bother other people about history, I’ve spent … Read more
Y’all, every once in a while this meme makes the rounds. Like most Southerners, I had this awakening. I was probably twenty or so before I realized the tall clothes-holder in your bedroom that doesn’t have a mirror is not called a “chester drawers.” On that note, I had older relatives called Iler, Eller, Emmer, … Read more
My secret goal for this year is to write a blog post every week. This week my blog post got away from me due to client work (more about that soon!) and finishing up a research report on one of my own projects. So instead of a full blog post, I made a meme for … Read more
You’re invited! Sign up for my free presentation Tap Into Tax Records to Enrich Your Genealogy Research via the Allen County Public Library. The live event takes place Thursday April 25, 2024 from 6:30-7:30pm. Now I may be showing my biases here, but I think this totally free, online event is especially relevant to two groups: … Read more
Last fall, the “situation” was hurtling violently toward “emergency.” I really needed a website for my genealogy business. I’d done a project with a local cemetery preservation committee and had a speaking engagement coming up with some opportunities for more. Now, I’d been self-employed for 18 years by that point. One of the lessons I … Read more
One part of getting my history degree involved an oral history class where I interviewed several elderly relatives. Recently I went back to my handwritten research notes from that day and discovered something unexpected. First off, I’m going to keep things a little vague here since this was in the 20th century, took place in … Read more
Last year, 2023, was the year I got serious about genealogy education, with the ultimate goal of becoming a professional genealogical researcher, writer, and educator. Then last summer, I started implementing my 3-year plan toward pursuing Board Certification. Now, not every genealogist is certified or accredited nor do they need to be. There are plenty … Read more
I got interested in genealogy when I was fourteen-years-old and discovered a weathered lime green vertical file in my grandparents’ hutch. This folder of wonders was full of little booklets, family group sheets, and various other scraps of paper of dubious origin. To me, that was like finding a treasure chest. Who are these people? … Read more
I’m thrilled to announce that the book I wrote, SALTY DOG GOES TO DENIM DAY, is now on sales at the Cherokee County (Georgia) History Museum! Synopsis “When Mama forgets her lunch before work, her clever canine Salty Dog goes on a journey through 1960s Canton to return it to her. His final destination? The … Read more