Hi there! I'm Lisa Lisson, and I'm passionate about helping people like you discover their ancestors and expand their family tree without feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about the next steps.
7 Genealogy Lessons I Wish I'd Learned Sooner
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Hi, Reader, Lately, I’ve been thinking about what I’d do differently in my genealogy research if I were starting over. One of the biggest changes? I’d spend less time searching for new records and more time analyzing what I’ve already found. I frequently find that clues to my own genealogy brick walls are already sitting in my files. I just haven’t fully understood what the records were telling me. I’d also take advantage of today’s technology to revisit older research, challenge assumptions, and look at familiar records in new ways. I've pulled together seven lessons in my newest article over on the webstie. Whether you're relatively new to genealogy or have been researching for decades, I think you'll recognize a few of these. 👉 7 Things I’d Do Differently If I Started Genealogy Today I'm curious: What's one thing YOU would do differently if you were starting your family history research today? Leave a comment on the article. I'd love to hear what you've learned. Genealogy Deals Worth a LookNovember is here and suddenly holiday shopping is on everyone's minds! Genealogy companies are already rolling out some "holiday" style discounts. If you've been considering a DNA test, a subscription, or a genealogy gift, here are a few current offers. AncestryDNA — Starting at $34 AncestryDNA kits are on sale for $34 (regularly $99). If you've been thinking about testing another family member or giving a DNA kit as a gift, this could be a good opportunity. Ancestry is also offering discounted bundles that include three-month genealogy memberships. Sale ends November 19. Shipping extra. Membership bundles have separate eligibility and renewal terms. MyHeritage DNA — $19.90 MyHeritage has discounted its DNA kit to $19.90 (regularly $89). If you're looking to expand your DNA matches across different testing databases, this is worth considering. See the MyHeritage DNA offer Sale ends soon. Ancestry Gift Memberships — Save 30% Ancestry is also offering 30% off annual gift memberships. This offer is available for new gift memberships only. Explore Ancestry gift memberships Sale ends November 19. Of course, a sale is only worthwhile if the tool or subscription will actually help you with your research. Consider what you're working on before adding anything new to your genealogy toolbox. Happy researching! Lisa |
Are You My Cousin? Newsletter
Hi there! I'm Lisa Lisson, and I'm passionate about helping people like you discover their ancestors and expand their family tree without feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about the next steps.
Hi, Reader, Is there an ancestor you haven’t searched for in a while because you felt you’d already looked everywhere? It might be time for another look. Sometimes moving forward means trying a different type of record. The census might leave you with questions that a city directory, church record, or another community source can help answer. If you’re unsure where to look next, start here: When Census Records Fail: 5 Community Records That Solve Genealogy Mysteries Choose one record type...
Hi, Reader, A census record looks like a fact. Name. Age. Birthplace. Written neatly in a column. But every one of those answers came from someone standing in a doorway, talking to a stranger with a pen. Maybe it was your ancestor. Maybe it was a twelve-year-old. Maybe it was the neighbor, because nobody was home and the census taker had forty more houses to get through before dark. I have to wonder about the story behind my grandmother being enumerated with the neighbor's name in the 1940...
Hi, Reader, With Labor Day coming up, I’ve been thinking about work, specifically, the work our ancestors did. When I look at my own family tree, I see a lot of farmers. Farmer. Farmer. Farmer. Not particularly exciting at first glance. 🙂 But an ancestor’s occupation can tell us much more than simply how they earned a living. Their work could influence where they lived, why they moved, who they interacted with and even the types of records they left behind. And sometimes, understanding why an...