Hi Reader,

December genealogy is different.

Not because the records change or the databases improve. But because your relatives are actually in the same room together—or at least answering the phone when you call.

The stories you've been trying to piece together from census records and death certificates? Someone at your holiday gathering knows parts of them. The photos you've been trying to identify? Your aunt remembers who's in them. The family legends you've been trying to verify? Your uncle has details no archive will ever hold.

December gives you something no Black Friday sale can provide: access to the people who actually lived your family's history.

And that window closes a little more every year.

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📝 FEATURED POST

The December Research Advantage No One Talks About

Before your next family gathering, read this:

​Why Your Family Tree Feels Like a Boring Spreadsheet (And How to Bring It to Life)​

If your family tree feels more like a data collection than a story collection, there's a reason—and December is your chance to fix it. Every genealogy article about December focuses on the same thing: holiday gift guides, year-end organization, using your vacation time for courthouse visits.

But here's what nobody mentions: December is when your sources actually call you back.

Think about it:

That cousin who never responds to your research emails? They're home for the holidays and bored enough to look through old photos with you.

Your elderly aunt who "doesn't remember much"? She remembers plenty when you show her pictures from the 1960s.

Your uncle who dismisses genealogy as "dwelling on the past"? He'll talk for an hour about his grandfather once you get him started.

The records will wait. The people won't.

Those census records and death certificates have been sitting in archives for decades—they'll still be there in January. But your relatives' memories are fragile, fading, and irreplaceable.

Here's your December strategy:

For experienced researchers: Stop trying to solve brick walls through records alone. Identify your three biggest research questions, then figure out which living relatives might have information. Text them this week. Don't wait until you're face-to-face at Christmas dinner—set up intentional time before then.

For story-focused families: You don't need to become a genealogy researcher to preserve your family's history. You just need to ask three questions and hit record on your phone. That's it. Pick one relative—preferably the oldest or the one whose health is declining—and schedule time with them before the holidays.

The magic formula: Old photos + curious questions + recording device = family history gold. 💛

Don't overcomplicate this. You're not conducting formal oral histories or creating documentary films. You're just capturing stories before they're gone.

🔍 GENEALOGY TIP

Three Questions to Ask at Holiday Gatherings

You don't need a formal interview or a research plan. You just need curiosity and a willingness to actually listen.

Start with these three questions:

1. "What's the story behind this photo?"​
Pull out your phone and show them old family photos (or bring physical ones if you have them). Don't ask "Who is this?" Ask "What do you remember about this?" The stories that follow are often more valuable than the names.

2. "What's something about [deceased relative] that I wouldn't know from records?"​
Death certificates tell you when someone died. They don't tell you about their sense of humor, their cooking, their politics, or their quirks. Ask about personality, not just facts.

3. "What's the weirdest family story you've ever heard?"​
The strange stories—the scandals, the mysteries, the things people whispered about—are often rooted in truth. They might not all be accurate, but they point you toward interesting research directions.

The most important part:​
Record the conversation. You think you'll remember what they said. You won't. Use your phone's voice recorder, a video call recording app, or even just take detailed notes. Just capture it somehow.

Pro tip: Don't correct them if they get facts "wrong." The goal isn't fact-checking—it's preserving their memory and perspective. You can verify details later through records. Right now, just listen and record.

🙂 FEATURED RESOURCE

Organize Your Stories Before You Gather More

If you're planning to capture new stories and photos this December, you might want to organize what you already have first.

My pre-recorded Taming the Chaos masterclass walks you through practical systems for organizing your genealogy research—including the stories, photos, and voice recordings you're about to collect.

What you'll learn:

• How to build a well-organized, structured and personalized system that makes it easy for you to access your research.
• Create a legacy that lasts with your files so that your research will be ready to pass down to future generations.
• How to create an actionable plan that you can start implementing immediately, feeling in control of your research.

This isn't about perfect filing systems. It's about creating workflows that let you actually find and use the stories you've preserved.

​Learn more about Taming the Chaos​

Because capturing stories is only valuable if you can actually access them later.

Your relatives are gathering. The stories are still there to be told. Don't let this December slip by without capturing at least one.

The research can wait. The people can't.

See you next week,
Lisa

P. S. If you're still holiday shopping, check out my blog post The Only Genealogy Shopping Guide You Need (From Someone Who's Tried Everything).
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Lisa Lisson Genealogy Researcher, Author & Speaker