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.
Back up your genealogy before you need it
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Hi, Reader, As I shared last week, I lost access to a large chunk of my digital life. After a very stressful few week, I have good news! The Are You My Cousin? YouTube channel has been restored. 🎉 It still looks a bit barebones, and it will take me a bit of time to get it looking more organized. But, all of the videos are there. :) The loss to many of my digital assets was not permanent, and I did have backups in place. But this experience got my attention. It also made one thing very clear: most of us assume our genealogy research is safe… until we’re forced to prove it. So I went back and updated this post: Backing up your research isn’t really about storage, it’s about access. Can you:
If the answer is “I think so,” it’s worth reviewing your systems and tightening things up. If you haven't already, grab my minimalist genealogy toolkit. It's the simple, practical tools that actually earn their place in a research workflow. I like fewer tools, less friction, better thinking. 👉 Access the Minimalist Genealogy Toolkit​ Happy Ancestor Hunting! 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, Sometimes the best thing you can do for your family tree is not add another record. It’s to step back and ask yourself: Do I actually trust what I’ve built? On Tuesday, July 14 at 7:00 PM Eastern, I’m hosting a free live genealogy workshop: Build a Family Tree You Can Trust: The key decisions that matter whether you’re starting today or starting over This workshop is for you if: You’re new to genealogy and want to start the right way You’ve been researching for years but have a...
Hi, Reader, With the 4th of July weekend coming up, I hope you have a little time carved out for rest, family, and maybe even a bit of genealogy research, preferably somewhere cool if your weather is anything like ours! I also have some exciting news to share. The Are You My Cousin? website has been selected for Family Tree Magazine’s 101 Best Genealogy Websites of 2026. My site was included in the Best Genealogy News and Advice category, and I’m truly honored. Family Tree Magazine has been...
Hi, Reader, You found the death certificate. Name, date, cause of death confirmed. Filed away. Most genealogists stop there, but the four most useful clues on the document are still sitting unread. I just updated this post with exactly what to look for and why each one matters: → 4 Death Certificate Clues Everyone Misses The first I'd start with: the informant. Who reported the death? If it's a neighbor instead of a family member, that's not random. It's either evidence of estrangement, or a...