Genealogy

Were your ancestors religious? Did they belong to a church, mosque, or temple? Yesterday, January 19, was World Religion Day. This is a great time to learn about the religious traditions of your ancestors. Besides giving you a fuller picture of their daily life and values, knowledge of a particular religious tradition, like its history…

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to get organized? If so, don’t forget to include your genealogy! It is never too late to organize your research and develop a plan for going forward with your genealogy. Taking the time to plan now will save you a lot of time later! While organization is key…

In the previous post, we explored holiday family traditions. This time, we are discussing ways to preserve those holiday family traditions. Whether they are in physical or oral form, there are ways to make sure that they are saved and documented for current and future generations. Your family will thank you for taking the time…

Does your family come together for the holidays? Do you have special holiday traditions? If so, these can hold genealogical clues that are worth exploring! Sometimes, they have small pieces of information that can lead you in new directions or break through a stubborn brick wall, and the holidays are a perfect time to explore…

Did you know that November is National Novel Writing Month, often called NaNoWrMo? This month is a perfect time to write down those family stories! You may not consider yourself a good writer, and/or you may not want to write an entire novel. That is okay. You can start with yourself and then branch out…

Did you know that November is Native American Heritage Month? According to the official 2024 White House proclamation, “During National Native American Heritage Month, we honor the history, rich cultures, and vast contributions of Native peoples.” One way to honor Native American histories, cultures, and contributions is to research your Native ancestors and learn more…

Are you curious about using AI (artificial intelligence) for your genealogical research? Perhaps you have felt confused about how to use the various tools. Perhaps you have experimented with some of them and become frustrated. Well, the secret is in the prompts. When you phrase your inquiry in a certain way, you will likely have…

Did you know that October is Family History Month? This is a perfect time to celebrate your favorite pastime/hobby. Embrace your genealogical prowess with pride! This month is also an excellent time to write or collect family stories and memories. First, Write Some Stories! You have likely already collected a lot of information from/about your…

Have you ever wondered why Oktoberfest is celebrated in September? The actual history may surprise you! Yesterday, the annual festival began in Munich. This historic folk festival has deep cultural roots that continue to reverberate throughout the world, and Chicagoland is no exception. The multitude of smaller Oktoberfest celebrations held around our area are proof…

Have you ever encountered an unfamiliar or archaic word when you are conducting genealogical research? Perhaps you read the cause of death on an ancestor’s death certificate and wanted to learn more. Or perhaps you found a genealogical abbreviation/acronym that you could not readily decipher. Maybe you are researching in an unfamiliar language and need…