Hi Reader,

While we're celebrating Independence Day here in the U.S. this week, I know many of you around the world have summer holidays that bring families together. Whether it's Canada Day, summer festivals, or just weekend gatherings—whenever families gather, photos come out and relatives start sharing stories. You can quickly find yourself sitting on a research opportunity. 🙂

Those boxes of old photos that always seem to surface during family time? They're not just conversation starters—they're historical documents waiting to be decoded.

​

​

FEATURED THIS WEEK!

The Photos Hiding Clues Right Under Your Nose

Most people look at old family photos and see faces. You should be seeing evidence. That dress style, the photo's edges, even the way people are posed—it all tells you when the photo was taken, which can unlock who's actually in it.

I walked you through how to do this detective work in my post about dating old family photographs. The techniques work whether you're dealing with your great-grandmother's mystery photos or trying to figure out which cousin is which in those 1940s group shots.

This weekend when someone inevitably pulls out the photo albums, turn it into research. Ask the oldest family member present to identify everyone they can. Make notes and don't forget to scan the photo(s) with your phone! You'll be amazed what stories emerge.

📖 Read the full post: How To Determine the Date of an Old Family Photograph​

📱RESEARCH ON THE GO

When Inspiration Strikes Away From Your Computer

Got inspired during the family BBQ but left your research notes at home? No problem.

Whether you want to quickly verify a birth date someone just mentioned or snap a photo of a document or scan a photo, these apps turn your phone into a portable research station.

• Quick record searches from anywhere
• Photo capture and organization tools
• Family tree access on the go

Perfect for those "I wonder..." moments that happen during family gatherings.

📱 Get the full app list: My Favorite Apps For Genealogy Research​

📅COMING THIS MONTH

What's Coming Your Way in July

Speaking of family gatherings and memories—later this month I'm sharing how to turn your family's recipes into storytelling tools. Trust me, they work better than any family tree chart.

But that's not all happening in July...

I'll also be traveling to England later this month to visit some of my own family history sites. I can't wait to experience

• Walking the same streets they walked
• Seeing the churches where they worshipped
• Visiting the places that shaped their daily lives

I'd love your input: Have you ever visited your ancestral homeland? What surprised you most about the experience? Or if you're planning a heritage trip, what are you most excited about?

Hit reply and share your heritage travel stories, tips or questions! Let's learn from each other.

💡QUICK WIN TIPS

This Weekend's Research Wins

Not gathering with family this weekend? Perfect time to tackle that photo organization project you've been putting off. Pick one shoebox or album and sort photos into decades using the dating techniques from today's featured post.

Don't worry about identifying everyone right now—just get them in chronological order. You'll spot patterns (same locations, recurring faces, clothing styles) that will help you ask better questions when you do talk to relatives.

Set a timer for 30 minutes. You'll be surprised how much progress you can make when you're not trying to solve everything at once.

Here's to discovering something new about your family this weekend!

Lisa

P.S. Love what you're reading in the Are You My Cousin? newsletter? Help us reach more family history enthusiasts like yourself. Share this email with interested friends and tell your friends to subscribe here.​
​

Lisa Lisson Genealogy Researcher, Author & Speaker