I came across this neat graphic on the Got Genealogy? FB page. A simple summary of some “Golden Rules of Genealogy.” I love #1 – Speling Dusn’t Cownt. How many times have I talked with people who really get hung up on spelling. Typically, that changes once I show them how many ways I found their ancestors name or place of residence listed! Which is your favorite rule? What rule(s) would you add? Editor’s Note: the graphic contains a statement “You have our permission to use/publish these Golden Rules as much as you like. Just give us credit for them, okay?” GotGenealogy.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Want to learn more about interacting with the blog, please read Hyperlinks, Subscribing and Comments -- How to Interact with Upfront with NGS Blog posts! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to [email protected]. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Follow NGS via Facebook, YouTube, Google+, Twitter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to [email protected]

So many times over the years, I’ve wished I could post little notes on my family tree, warnings and reminders and identifiers. Things like “unconfirmed maiden name,” “don’t quote me on this,” and “ado

This is the follow-up to the post " Why to Take Genealogy Notes ." That post explained why everyone should take notes, not jus...

Learn how to organize your genealogy research on your computer with these tips. From step-by-step file organization to note-taking.

Today's freebie is a real staple. Well, actually, it's a form, a note-taking form. You can absolutely use blank paper for note-t...

Genealogy and family history research topics, notes and tools.

Where to find free genealogy books online looks at where you can find free genealogy books and gives some examples of what you can find.

British Royal Family Tree during Jane Austin's Life (click on picture to enlarge) The Ancestry of King Charles II of Spain (click on pict...

Today's freebie is a real staple. Well, actually, it's a form, a note-taking form. You can absolutely use blank paper for note-t...

Using wills and probate records for genealogy can lead to unexpected “inheritances” of your own: clues about relatives’ identities, wealth, personal belongings, and family relationships.

Today's freebie is a real staple. Well, actually, it's a form, a note-taking form. You can absolutely use blank paper for note-t...

One of the best ways to do great genealogy (despite the interruptions) is by using a system where you turn your research plan into your...

This is the follow-up to the post " Why to Take Genealogy Notes ." That post explained why everyone should take notes, not jus...

There are many free genealogy sites available on the web. Here is a handy reference of 10 of the largest and most useful free family history resources.

Make Instant Discoveries About Your Ancestors Here Online research is getting better and better every day. With new free websites, databases and research groups popping up everywhere, family historians have a seemingly endless supply of records and resources to help them uncover family details. But with all of the amazing information now available at our … This Smart New Tool from Google is the Perfect Genealogy Research Assistant! Read More »

20 Totally Free UK Genealogy Sites are lesser known completely free websites that can help you with your British genealogy research.

Kelley Becker and Neal Varner from AncestryDNA shared new genetic genealogy tools at their site! Some are in beta still, meaning they are brand new and still under development and you have to sign …

How to include research notes in published genealogy books.

One-by-one, you can make your source citations more professional.

This is the follow-up to the post " Why to Take Genealogy Notes ." That post explained why everyone should take notes, not jus...

Today I am giving one of my lectures for the last time. I am retiring "The DAR Library for All." Lucky you! That means I'm...

The top five essential free Irish Genealogical sites to help people with Irish ancestry trace their roots. Including free vital records and census returns

These 30 free genealogy sites can help you search if you have European roots. Do you know where your ancestry is from? I know that my parents are from Puerto Rico, but I also know that the buck doesn't stop there. We have all probably seen and heard about shows or videos where random people are tested to see where their ancestors are from. They are always surprised at what they find. Wouldn't it be cool to be surprised just the same?

Designed for filing your notes by couple or family group: “John and Mary Jones.”

Free Scottish Genealogy on ScotlandsPlaces. What records are available and how to use ScotlandsPlaces for your family history research

One of the best ways to do great genealogy (despite the interruptions) is by using a system where you turn your research plan into your...

I've been working on answering this question for months now. Why take genealogy notes? A computer can make things so much ...

If you’re accustomed to looking at census documents for genealogy research, you know that the the number of the census (Thirteenth, for example) is clearly visible, while the actual year takes a little squinting to see. I created a simple table so that I can tell at a glance which census I’m looking at. I […]

This is the follow-up to the post " Why to Take Genealogy Notes ." That post explained why everyone should take notes, not jus...

The GPS (Genealogical Proof Standard) guides us in making the right decisions for genealogy research, but did you know it also applies to photo organizing?

There are many free genealogy sites available on the web. Here is a handy reference of 10 of the largest and most useful free family history resources.

Learn how to organize your genealogy research on your computer with these tips. From step-by-step file organization to note-taking.

Are you recognizing all of your DNA cousin matches? Try making a surname table and quickly catch all of those autosomal relatives,

Genealogists are notorious paper users. I would love to have a completely paper-free office, and I've worked toward that. Still, ...

Research notes all over the place? Unlock your genealogy organisation super powers with this four step process to go from disorder to order.

Vital Records from Pommern, Petersen Researching Preußen, Pommern, Ancestors - Germany The hardest part of researching Pomeranian anc...

A genealogy research plan is more than a to-do list. It's a framework that guides your research and helps you be more productive and less frustrated.

Do you have a family tree mystery that might be solved by a medical record? I do. My grandfather had an aunt who immigrated from Norway to North Dakota in 1915. She was married in 1917 and our records show that her husband died around 1920. We cannot find records of her after her marriage in 1917, but oral family history says that she may have spent some time in an asylum.

Have you ever heard of foot shape genealogy? It is a concept out of the 19th century that still has some adherents today. It is based on the belief that the shape of your foot can tell you one of five ancient ethnic groups to which your ancestors belonged. Here is what you need to know about it.

You will want to include any information on an ancestor who served in any branch of the US military at any time.

As many of you may already know, the region of the world sometimes referred to as Prussia was both large and diverse, incorporating lands far beyond East & West Prussia. My wife’s family …

How do you know a genealogy source is correct? You have to learn to evaluate your evidence. It's not as easy as "this is a good s...

Hey! This post has been moved to our sister blog, Genealogy Questions . You can read it, here .

Papers and photos and sticky notes, oh my! Tame your family history research chaos with tips on getting started. Plus, a free genealogy organization ebook!

How to do family history takes you through the stages for successful genealogy research using links to the best articles on the web.

Would you like to search only the free kindle books offered by Amazon? You can do so using the tools Google already provides. Here's how.