Hi Reader,

Weeks 1 and 2 were about working with what you already have. Week 3 is about strategically filling in one specific gap.

This week's focus: Fill in the Missing Pieces

After two weeks of discovery and preservation, you probably have a clearer picture of what you know and what you don't. Maybe there's a maiden name that's been eluding you. An ancestor who seems to disappear from records. A family story that doesn't quite add up.

This week isn't about solving every mystery or starting massive research projects. It's about picking one specific question and taking a strategic approach to answer it.

🌳Your Week 3 approach:

Pick one research question: Choose something specific that's been bothering you. Not "research the Smith family," but "find Mary Smith's maiden name" or "figure out where John Morgan moved after 1900."

Try one new strategy: Instead of doing the same searches you've done before, try a different approach or resource you haven't used.

Set a time limit: Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to work on this question. When the time is up, document what you found and move on.

The goal isn't perfection - it's progress. Even small breakthroughs count.

🛠️ LISA'S RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH TOOLKIT

For systematic research planning: An Ancestry.com subscription gives you access to their hint system and record collections, and their search suggestions often reveal records you didn't know existed. Important note: Use those hints as clues, not facts - always evaluate them for accuracy before accepting. Try an Ancestry subscription now.​

For alternative perspectives: MyHeritage often has different record collections and search algorithms than Ancestry. What one site misses, the other might find. Different transcriptions and indexing can reveal the same ancestors in new ways. Try MyHeritage here.​

For DNA breakthroughs: If traditional records aren't working, genetic genealogy might provide new leads. Both Ancestry DNA and MyHeritage DNA can identify unknown relatives and connect you with researchers working on the same family lines. Compare DNA testing options - AncestryDNA and MyHeritage DNA​

Start your research with this:

Watch first: "What Your Genealogy Research is MISSING! | Psst! It's a Plan" - The 4 components to include in your genealogy research plan (minus the overwhelm!).

Then try: "New Ways to Solve Old Mysteries: Ancestry.com's Networks Explained" - A newer research tool that might help you see connections you've missed.

Remember: Some research questions take years to solve. This week is about making progress, not necessarily finding all the answers.

If you solve your research question this week, celebrate! If you don't, you're still ahead of where you started.

More strategic research guidance coming Saturday,