Hi Reader,

Do you ever feel like you've hit a brick wall with your family research? This week, I want to share a simple habit that's helped me make numerous breakthroughs over the years - regularly rechecking genealogy databases for new content.

Many researchers search a database once and never return, missing out on thousands of newly digitized records added each month. Let's talk about how developing this simple habit can help you overcome your tough genealogy questions.

📽️NEW VIDEO

WHY NEW DATABASE COLLECTIONS COULD SOLVE YOUR FAMILY MYSTERY

The most successful genealogists know that research is never truly "done." Record collections are constantly growing and being updated, and information that was unavailable last month might hold the key to your brick wall today.

• Learn which major databases added significant collections so far in 2025
• How to set up a system to stay informed about database updates
• Tips for locating newly added or updated collections in major genealogy websites

I share strategies for systematically revisiting databases and explain how this approach can help overcome those frustrating brick walls in your family research.

🎬 Watch the video: Why These New Database Collections Could Solve Your Family Mystery​

💡GENEALOGY RESEARCH TIP

THE "END-OF-SESSION" PLANNING HABIT

Want to make your research more productive? Try implementing this powerful habit that professional genealogists always do: always end your research sessions by planning what you'll do next.

Here's how to make this practice work for you:

• Before closing your browser or putting away your notes, take 5 minutes to jot down your next research steps
• Be specific about exactly what you'll search for in your next session (names, dates, record types)
• Note any questions that came up during your current session that need follow-up
• Prioritize your next tasks in order of importance or likelihood of success

This simple practice eliminates the "where was I?" confusion that can waste much of your research time. When you sit down for your next session—whether it's tomorrow or three weeks later—you can dive right in without spending time trying to recreate your previous thought process.

Try this: Create a simple "Next Steps" template with three sections: 1) What I just found, 2) What questions I now have, and 3) What I'll search next. Fill this out at the end of your next research session and see how much more quickly you can get back into productive research.

😃FAVORITE GENEALOGY RESEARCH TOOL (That's Not Genealogy Specific)

WORK SMARTER WITH BROWSER BOOKMARKS

Browser bookmarks are powerful but often underused tools for genealogy research. When used strategically, they can dramatically improve your research efficiency and organization.

Why bookmarks matter for genealogists:

• They eliminate time wasted repeatedly searching for the same websites
• They allow you to save specific search results from databases
• They create a visual organizational system for different family lines
• They work across devices when properly synced

Getting started with a genealogy bookmark system: Begin by creating a main "Genealogy" folder in your browser. Within this folder, create subfolders organized by:

1. Family surnames or branches
2. Research locations (counties, states, countries)
3. Record types (census, vital records, newspapers)

As you research and find resources you wish to refer back to in the future, save the URL as a bookmark. You will quickly be able to locate important resources when you sit down to research again.

Review and maintain your bookmark collection quarterly, removing outdated links and reorganizing as your research evolves.

Want to see bookmarks in action? I have a video tutorial that walks you through setting up an efficient bookmark organization system specifically for genealogists.

👀Watch Unlock Your Genealogy Potential: Mastering Google Chrome Bookmarks for Seamless Research!​

🌻APRIL FAVORITES

RESOURCES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

April has been full of exciting genealogy discoveries and learning opportunities! As we wrap up the month, I wanted to share viewers' and readers' most popular blog posts and YouTube video choices.

Readers' Most Popular Blog Posts

• ​New Ways to Solve Old Mysteries: Ancestry.com’s Networks Explained​
• ​AI Won’t Find Your Great-Grandmother’s Maiden Name—But Here Are 4 Ways It Will Improve Your Family Research​
• ​The 4-Part AI Prompt Approach Every Family Historian Needs to Know​

Viewers Most Watched YouTube Videos in April

• ​Scanning & Organizing Old Family Photos | Today’s the Day! This is an oldie, but a goodie!
• ​Stop Missing the Details in Your Ancestor’s Records​
• ​Ancestry's NEW Networks Tool: What You Need to Know​

Which ones were your favorites?

Remember that genealogy success comes not just from knowing where to look, but establishing consistent practices that make your research more thorough and efficient.

Happy Ancestor Hunting!

Lisa

P.S. Love what you're reading in Are You My Cousin? newsletter? Help us reach more genealogy enthusiasts like yourself. Share this email with interested friends and tell your friends to subscribe here.​
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Lisa Lisson Genealogy Researcher, Author & Speaker