What's next?
Congratulations... you're not a beginner anymore. But what's next for the podcast?
Dec 30, 2024•10 min•Ep. 52
Weekly Genealogy Toolkit
The Weekly Genealogy Toolkit is your dose of family history insights, tips and tools designed to empower your genealogical journey. Host Ed Adams will guide you through the rich tapestry of your family history. Every week, we will unravel new strategies, uncover hidden gems, and equip you with the tools needed to navigate the fascinating story of how you became you. Grab your notebook and a cup of coffee... there’s work to be done.
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episodes
Moxxy Forensic Investigations
Katie Thomas and Kaycee Connelly from Moxxy Forensic Investigations join me for a conversation about Investigative Genetic Genealogy and how people can help them in their quest to bring closure to families, and communities. https://www.moxxyforensics.com/donate
Dec 23, 2024•25 min•Ep. 51
Other Podcasts
I can't thank you enough for listening to this podcast... I've really enjoyed working on it. But just like you've listened to this one, I listen to plenty of other genealogy podcasts, and I wanted to share the ones that I listen to most. In no particular order: Genealogy Gems Family Tree Magazine Podcast Hittin the Bricks with Kathleen The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast The Genealogy Guys DNA:ID...
Dec 16, 2024•9 min•Ep. 50
Continuing Education
Keeping your edge sharp is important as a researcher. You can learn a lot just by doing, but what about when you feel yourself starting to plateau? Let's talk about continuing education in Genealogy. BYU Family History Program Boston University Genealogy Studies Program Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburg Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research Mid-west African American Genealogical Institute International Society for British Genealogy and Family History Salt Lake Institute of Ge...
Dec 09, 2024•13 min•Ep. 49
Read the descriptions!
Would you drive cross country without a map? Then don't go researching within collections if you haven't read the description. Think of it as your roadmap for how to use the collection and what you can and can't find within.
Dec 02, 2024•8 min•Ep. 48
Non-Paternity Events
Until I got into genetic genealogy, I had no idea how common misattributed parentage was. The reality is, most people's trees, if they aren't also using genetic matches to validate everything, likely have the wrong biological parents in one or more places in the tree. Today we talk about how to figure out your relationship to a match that has a non-paternity event, or NPE in their tree... Just remember, it might be in yours. @theWGTPod WGT on Facebook...
Nov 25, 2024•13 min•Ep. 47
Audit your tree
It's only natural that the more genealogy we do, the better we get at it. In genealogy being better means being finding more records and being more accurate. So what do you do about all that work you did earlier when your skills weren't as developed. It's time for an audit. @theWGTPod on Twitter Find me on Facebook
Nov 18, 2024•12 min•Ep. 46
Foreign Language Records
As an American doing genealogy, it's so exciting when you finally see those documents that show what country your family came from. Once you've learned everything there is to learn in America about them, it's time to cross the pond and start learning about them in the home country... But what if that country's records aren't in English? Have no fear, you're not at a dead end just yet. @theWGTPod on Twitter Find me on Facebook...
Nov 10, 2024•11 min•Ep. 45
Burned Counties
We've all come across that location that is challenging to research because the courthouse burned, or flooded, or was destroyed by a tornado. It's a common enough occurrence that just about every genealogist has bumped into this problem. For many this becomes a brick wall for them... don't be content to leave walls in your tree. While some information is truly lost, don't give up until you've done everything you can. Listen to hear tips on how to get around pesky record loss and still find out t...
Nov 04, 2024•11 min•Ep. 44
Offline Research
I've said it many times before, but not everything that you are going to be looking for can be found online. So grab your keys, we're going to hit the road and go check out the libraries, court houses, and dusty back rooms to find some neat stuff.
Oct 28, 2024•14 min•Ep. 43
Finding Women
Let's dive into a common challenge for beginner genealogists—tracking down the women in your family tree. Often, maiden names feel like locked doorways, especially in records predating 1850. We can overcome these "brick walls." From scouring censuses for hidden clues to finding forgotten family connections in wills and death certificates, this episode offers practical advice for uncovering the women in your ancestry. Learn how creativity and persistence can reveal the stories that go unnoticed. ...
Oct 21, 2024•11 min•Ep. 42
Legal Research
“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” -Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride. Are you understanding your sources fully? Or are you missing parts and pieces, or worse yet, are you misunderstanding what your source is or what it is saying? Spend some time researching the process that generated the document you are looking at, and research any terms that you don't fully understand. You might be surprised what you find. The Legal Genealogist...
Oct 14, 2024•6 min•Ep. 41
History Focus - The North Carolina Regulators
Sorry for the lengthy episode this week, but I just couldn't help it. I wanted to talk about an episode of early American history little known outside of the state of North Carolina. It's an important event though, and it's a great example of the kind of small historical footnotes that may have featured prominently in the lives of your ancestors. If you want to learn more about the North Carolina Regulator Movement, check out the following books: Dissenting Farmers by Carole Watterson Troxler Br...
Oct 07, 2024•38 min•Ep. 40
Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy
These days, it seems like even your breakfast cereal has AI in it. But can you use the most common AI tools for genealogy? Absolutely yes! but they should come with a surgeon general's warning.
Sep 30, 2024•13 min•Ep. 39
Social Media for Genealogy
You can use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and probably just about any other social media platform out there for genealogy. This episode will go over a brief "walkthrough" of how to find some cousins, and even more good information using your favorite time-waster. @theWGTPod
Sep 23, 2024•12 min•Ep. 38
Genealogy on the cheap
Have you ever gotten into a new hobby and it seemed so affordable at first. You buy a thing here or there, none of which cost much money... but after you've been in it for a bit and you tally it up, you've spent a small fortune? Genealogy is like that, but the spending never really ends. It's okay though, because you can absolutely get a lot of family history research done for little or even no money. Let's jump in and figure out how to be kind to our piggy bank, and still uncover all those fami...
Sep 16, 2024•13 min•Ep. 37
Military Records - World War 2
Fall in! you've reached the last episode in the special series on military records. If this is your first to tune into, have a look back through the series. It's time to learn a bit about how to research your military ancestors. I'll be looking through a number of American Conflicts and talking about some of the specific resources available for that conflict and probably sprinkling in some more broadly applicable military research tips. This week we talk about World War 2. Links in this episode:...
Sep 09, 2024•15 min•Ep. 36
Military Records - World War 1
Fall in! It's time to learn a bit about how to research your military ancestors. I'll be looking through a number of American Conflicts and talking about some of the specific resources available for that conflict and probably sprinkling in some more broadly applicable military research tips. This week we talk about World War 1. Links in this episode: A Peace to End All Peace by David Fromkin Over There: The United States Army in the Great War 1917-1918 by Byron Farwell ORDER OF BATTLE OF THE UNI...
Sep 02, 2024•11 min•Ep. 35
Military Records - The Civil War
Fall in! It's time to learn a bit about how to research your military ancestors. I'll be looking through a number of American Conflicts and talking about some of the specific resources available for that conflict and probably sprinkling in some more broadly applicable military research tips. This week we talk about The Civil War Links in this episode: This Great Struggle by Stephen Woodworth The organization and administration of the Union army, 1861-1865 / by Fred Albert Shannon v.1 The organiz...
Aug 26, 2024•18 min•Ep. 34
Military Records - Mexican War & more
Fall in! It's time to learn a bit about how to research your military ancestors. I'll be looking through a number of American Conflicts and talking about some of the specific resources available for that conflict and probably sprinkling in some more broadly applicable military research tips. This week we talk about the Mexican War Links in this episode: The Occupation of Mexico (PDF) What Hath God Wrought by Daniel Walker Howe (Amazon) Abstract of Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers (...
Aug 19, 2024•17 min•Ep. 33
Military Records - War of 1812
Fall in! It's time to learn a bit about how to research your military ancestors. I'll be looking through a number of American Conflicts and talking about some of the specific resources available for that conflict and probably sprinkling in some more broadly applicable military research tips. This week we talk about the War of 1812. Links in this episode: Campaign of 1812 (PDF) 1812: The War that Forged a Nation by Walter Borneman War of 1812 Index to Service Records ( FamilySearch , Ancestry ) O...
Aug 12, 2024•11 min•Ep. 32
Military Records - American Revolution
Fall in! It's time to learn a bit about how to research your military ancestors. I'll be looking through a number of American Conflicts and talking about some of the specific resources available for that conflict and probably sprinkling in some more broadly applicable military research tips. Links in this episode: US Army Center of Military History The Continental Army US Naval History and Heritage Command Patriot Pirates (Book) NARA Revolutionary War Resources Military Bounty Land Map American ...
Aug 05, 2024•16 min•Ep. 31
Using Maps in Genealogy
Let's look at the crucial role of maps in genealogical research. Learn how to use maps for verifying geographic details, understanding historical boundaries, and locating ancestral lands. Library of Congress David Rumsey Maps Arcanum Maps FamilySearch.org Google Earth Pro Georectification tutorial Say hi @theWGTPod...
Jul 29, 2024•12 min•Ep. 30
They won't always be there
Sorry to leave you without any tips this week. But I'll be back next week. Take care -Ed
Jul 22, 2024•2 min•Ep. 29
Probate 101
Let's have a look at the intricate world of probate records. Discover how understanding probate processes and documents can uncover valuable insights about your ancestors. Learn key terms, the steps involved, and how to navigate this complex area of genealogy. Whether you're a beginner or looking to deepen your research skills, this episode provides essential tips to help you master probate records.
Jul 15, 2024•15 min•Ep. 28
The Great Wagon Road
Come along as I explore the fascinating journey along the Great Wagon Road, the I-95 of colonial America. Discover how this historic migration route shaped cultural identities and settlement patterns in the eastern United States. Learn tips for tracing your ancestors' steps and breaking through genealogy brick walls. If you're just starting or you've been at this for a while, it never hurts to learn about the context in which your ancestors lived and in this case... moved. @theWGTPod...
Jul 08, 2024•10 min•Ep. 27
Reading Old Handwriting
Let's dive into the fascinating world of historical documents and the art of deciphering old handwriting. Discover the secrets to identifying common letterforms, distinguishing between different historical writing styles, and overcoming the hurdles of faded ink and archaic language. We'll also explore the tools and resources available to aid in your document decoding journey. Enhance your skills and unlock the stories hidden in old manuscripts with our practical advice and insights. BYU Handwrit...
Jul 01, 2024•15 min•Ep. 26
Why Care About Family History
In this special episode of the Weekly Genealogy Toolkit, I share my personal journey into genealogy and the reasons behind my passion for family history. I talk about the therapeutic and enlightening aspects of genealogy, emphasizing how uncovering the stories of my ancestors provided him with perspective, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of his own identity. Whether you're a seasoned genealogist or someone new to the hobby, this episode offers a look at the motivations behind family hist...
Jun 24, 2024•12 min•Ep. 25
Solving Problems with Timelines
Just like with any good detective, building timelines can help the genealogist make sense of all the information they've found on a particular ancestor. You can use them to audit your research, reject hypotheses, and identify indirect evidence to answer your questions. Listen this week as we dig into timelines. Aeon Timeline Website
Jun 17, 2024•9 min•Ep. 24
Immigration part 2 - 1840s - 1920s
Late 18th century into the early 19th century of American immigration has become the iconic imagery for what American immigration is all about. Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and huddled masses of unfortunate Europeans, yearning for their shot at the American Dream. But who were they? Where did they come from and where did they settle? And most importantly how do we research them? Steven Morse One-Step Webpages
Jun 10, 2024•18 min•Ep. 23
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android