Hi Reader,

Ever find yourself with unexpected pockets of time? A few months ago, I was sitting at the airport waiting for my delayed flight (we've all been there!) and pulled out my phone.

Instead of mindlessly scrolling social media, I thought, "Why not peek at those census records I've been meaning to check?" Twenty minutes later, I'd found three new records to add to my family tree - all from the comfort of Gate B7!

It's amazing how these brief moments plus my smartphone can add up to meaningful genealogy discoveries. Which got me thinking about all the ways we can make progress on our family history research, even when we're on the go.

Now I find myself doing a quick bit of research while waiting at the doctor's, car repair shop....

​

📽️NEW VIDEO & BLOG POST

RESEARCH ANCESTORS ON THE GO!

Short on time to research your family history? You’re not alone! Life gets busy, but that doesn’t mean your genealogy has to take a backseat.

The Ancestry.com app is a game-changer for those moments when you're on the go. In my latest video, I show you how to:

• Search and save records while away from your computer.
• Sync updates seamlessly across devices.
• Stay organized with to-do lists right in the app.

📽️Watch the video HERE!​

For those of you who prefer to read the post: 👀Read the blog post HERE!​

📅SAVE THE DATE

ROOTSTECH 2025 - MARCH 6 - 8, 2025

ARE YOU REGISTERED YET?! If not, hop to it!

​RootsTech 2025 is the world's largest family history conference, bringing together genealogists, family historians, and DNA enthusiasts from around the globe.

The 2025 RootsTech online and in-person schedule is out, so you can start to build your own personalized agenda.

If you are attending the in-person event in Salt Lake City, I hope you will join me for one (or both!) of my talks.

• Culinary Heritage: Finding Home Within Yourself on March 6th at 8:00 AM MT
• Write Powerful AI Prompts to Unlock Your Family History on March 7th at 8:00 AM MT

Watch for my full guide to getting the most out of RootsTech 2025 in February.

🙂FREEBIE IN THE SHOP!

7 STEPS TO CEMETERY RESEARCH SUCCESS

Are you worried you're overlooking crucial evidence about your ancestors in that family cemetery? Missing even one small detail could mean losing a vital connection in your family tree.

Stop second-guessing your cemetery research. Get my free "7 Steps to Your Cemetery Research" guide and learn:

• My step-by-step approach to planning productive cemetery visits
• Tips for documentation and photography
• Tips for interpreting gravestone symbolism

Don't risk missing important clues to your family's story.

💡GENEALOGY TIP

FINDING NEW COLLECTIONS IN "OLD" DATABASES

Do you check previously searched databases for newly added records? No? You could be missing out on newly added records that could break down your brick walls. Ancestry.com regularly adds and updates their collections, but many researchers don't realize how to find these new resources.

Here's how to stay current:

• Go to your Ancestry.com homepage. Scroll down about 2/3 of the page. Under the Tools and Resources section in the sidebar (on the right), you will find a link to new and updated collections.

Pay special attention to updates in your ancestors' locations. A newly digitized county record collection or church register could hold that missing piece you've been searching for. For example, a recent parish record update might finally reveal your ancestor's baptism date that wasn't available in your last search.

Consider setting a monthly reminder to check for new collections in your key research areas. This simple habit could mean the difference between maintaining a brick wall and breaking through it.

Remember, the best genealogy discoveries often come when we keep our eyes open to unexpected resources and stay consistent in our research. Here's to finding your next ancestral breakthrough!

Happy researching,
​

Lisa

P.S. Love what you're reading in Are You My Cousin? newsletter? Help us reach more family history enthusiasts like yourself. Share this email with interested friends and tell your friends to subscribe here.​

Lisa Lisson Genealogy Researcher, Author & Speaker