The Original 13
Growing up, from time to time, I would stay with my aunt and her family in Germantown, Pennsylvania. I won’t mention how many years ago that was, but I will tell you those visits...
The Allure of Libraries
With so much focus in genealogy on internet searches, it is important to remember that libraries can be very helpful in your search for ancestry. Some libraries are set up specifically for genealogy while...
Is That You, William? How Do You Know When You’re On The Right Track?
Brick walls – every researcher has a couple. They sometimes stand for years, those annoying barriers between you and that elusive ancestor you have been chasing for what seems like forever. Now and then,...
The Genealogy of Adoptees
I am the only biological child in my family, but my parents adopted five children once I was in college. Whenever I think about genealogy, I think about them. Of course, they are an...
Real strategies for overcoming that brick wall
Both novice and experienced family historians have likely encountered a common obstacle while researching their histories: hitting a brick wall. You may discover that family records were destroyed, lost or simply unavailable; information...
Genealogy research: knowing when it is time to call in a professsional
Despite the abundance of resources available online and in records depositories, there are some situations which might require the assistance of a professional genealogist. There are many professional genealogists who are adept at tracking...
The search for identity: one adopted man’s struggle to find his roots
The cover story of a recent edition of Sports Illustrated begins: “Aaron Levi wanted to know who he was, where he came from, where he belonged. From an early age he had questions about...
Using various land records to unlock clues about our ancestors
Valuable information can be gleaned from analyzing your ancestor’s land records. In addition to vital historical facts, these records also give context to your family’s status, lifestyle and migration patterns. And with 90%...
Jewish genealogy and the search for roots near and far
Previously, I discussed the challenges encountered by African-Americans searching for ancestors who pre-date the Civil War and strategies for accessing both basic and more detailed information about this time period. Similarly, genealogical research for...
Family History in New England
How Family Trees Grew in America Early genealogy in America was an extension of the European quest for verification of aristocracy, heraldry, and legitimacy. Tracing one’s genealogical roots in colonial America was seen as...
