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.
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Stop boring your family with genealogy facts! 😲
Published 14 days ago • 3 min read
Welcome to the Are You My Cousin? newsletter! Each week, I share actionable genealogy research advice to help you grow a healthy - and accurate - family tree. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe so you never miss an issue.
Hi Reader,
I'm not much of a dancer, but this week I got to do the "genealogy happy dance"! 💃I made a huge discovery on one of my husband's ancestral lines. My hours (and hours!) of research involved city directories, newspapers, and a smidge of oral history.
To be honest, it also involved a bit of luck. I was not even looking for this particular family discovery --> a famous gangster! I was looking for something else entirely, but these serendipitous finds are my favorite.
Watch for a video coming soon about my discovery.
Have you made an awesome genealogy discovery recently? Hit reply and let me know, so I can celebrate with you.
📽️NEW VIDEO
FACTS VS FAMILY STORIES
When I share dry genealogy facts with my adult children, their eyes glaze over quickly. But mention a great-grandmother who accidentally destroyed a car door handle on the way to her driving test? Suddenly they're all ears.
This week's video tackles an important question every genealogist faces: Are you just collecting facts, or are you creating meaningful family connections?
Here's what you'll learn:
Why research alone falls short (even when you love those dusty courthouse records)
How storytelling provides the emotional connection that facts can't
The secret to getting younger generations interested in family history
Why you need BOTH research and stories to build a lasting family legacy
The truth is, our families remember stories, not dates. When we combine solid research with compelling narratives, we create something powerful that connects generations and actually makes our research stronger.
Family reunion season is coming fast! Is your family tree ready to share, or does it need some serious TLC first?
My Genealogy Audit service is now available with special summer pricing - perfect timing to get your tree polished before those family gatherings where everyone asks about "the family history."
During your personalized audit, I'll help you:
Identify and fix common research errors that weaken your tree
Spot missing documentation that leaves your findings vulnerable
Organize your research notes so you can actually find what you need
Create a priority action plan for your strongest research leads
Summer Special: I'm offering 😎 special summer pricing on all audit packages when you book before June 15th. Because nobody wants to show up to the family reunion with a messy family tree!
Your ancestors were more than birth dates and marriage records. They were people who changed their name spellings, refused to adjust clocks, and created the unique stories that shaped your family. Admit it, it’s those quirky ancestors that are your favorites!
Storied gives you a place to document these meaningful details that traditional family history often overlooks.
Whether you're chatting with fellow researchers at a genealogy society meeting or interviewing Uncle Joe about family stories, solid note-taking can make or break your research success.
Here's my go-to system using Google Keep (my favorite because it syncs everywhere and I can voice-record notes on the fly):
Before the conversation: Create a new note with the person's name, date, and location
During: Jot down key facts, but don't stop the flow - capture the story first, verify details later
After: Within 24 hours, review and expand your notes while the conversation is fresh
Pro tip: Use voice recording in Google Keep when your hands are busy. Just tap the microphone icon and it transcribes automatically.
💡 Productivity Tip I'm Stealing: The "one-ancestor rule" - focusing research on just ONE person per session instead of jumping around the family tree. Sounds obvious, but it's a game-changer for actually making progress.
📚The National Archives is hosting theirfree 2025 Genealogy Series with live broadcasts on YouTube throughout May and June - no reservations needed! These sessions cover federal records research tools for all skill levels. It's the perfect time to level up your research skills.
The pursuit of your genealogy doesn't have to be a solo adventure. Let's work together to uncover those family stories and build connections that last.
Actionable genealogy advice that you'll want to save in a special Gmail folder to grow your healthy family tree, sent weekly to 10,000+ readers.
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.
Welcome to the Are You My Cousin? newsletter! Each week, I share actionable genealogy research advice to help you grow a healthy - and accurate - family tree. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe so you never miss an issue. Hi Reader, I've often described genealogy research as a huge jigsaw puzzle, only we don't know what it looks like, and we have to find the puzzle pieces! 🧩 It's a good thing I LOVE puzzles! There is almost always a puzzle (or 2) being put together on my dining room...
Welcome to the Are You My Cousin? newsletter! Each week, I share actionable genealogy research advice to help you grow a healthy - and accurate - family tree. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe so you never miss an issue. Hi Reader, As you read this, I am just back from a fabulous weekend celebrating my big brother's retirement. (I'm such a proud "little" sister.) When I travel, I confess I pride myself on being an efficient, organized and light packer. I pack with a plan.... except...
Welcome to the Are You My Cousin? newsletter! Each week, I share actionable genealogy research advice to help you grow a healthy - and accurate - family tree. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe so you never miss an issue. Hi Reader, You know that moment when you reach into your favorite tote bag and pull out exactly what you didn't know you needed? That's this week's newsletter. I'm mixing maiden name mysteries with AI research tips, tossing in family food stories, and adding a pinch...
