Month: April 2025
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OGS Conference 2025: Workshop Day Adventures
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Workshop day at a genealogy conference always feels different from the regular session days. The pace slows down, the learning deepens, and “aha!” moments happen more frequently. Today at the Ohio Genealogical Society Conference delivered exactly the kind of immersive learning experience I had hoped for. Morning: A Chance to…
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Pre-Conference Planning: Making the Most of Your Genealogy Conference Experience
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As I prepare for my 3.5-hour drive from Cincinnati to Sandusky for the Ohio Genealogical Society’s annual conference, I’m feeling that familiar mix of excitement and anticipation that comes before every genealogy event. Whether you’re a conference veteran or considering attending your first in-person genealogy gathering, proper preparation can make…
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Genetic Breadcrumbs: Following DNA to Find the Mysterious Mr. Max
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Introduction Remember that story I shared about the mysterious Mr. Max? If you missed it, I introduced you to one of my family’s most enduring mysteries—the identity of Clifford Max’s father, born in Edwardsville, Illinois in 1929. According to family lore, Clifford’s father had died before his son was born.…
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From Family Tales to Documented History: The Genealogist’s Journey
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Family stories are the heartbeat of genealogy. They spark our curiosity, connect us to our past, and often set us on the path of discovery. As I reflect on the first fifteen weeks of my #52Ancestors project, I’m struck by how often my research has centered around testing family stories…
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The Case of the Two Thomas Dowlings: A Genealogical Mix-Up
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#52Ancestors – Week 15 – Big Mistake Oh, the mistakes we make when we’re just starting out! When I first began my genealogical journey, I was bright-eyed and eager—perhaps a bit too eager. I’d found census records for my paternal great grandfather, Thomas Dowling born in Brooklyn in 1871, and…
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The #52Ancestors Challenge: Bringing Your Family History to Life
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Hello fellow family history enthusiasts! I wanted to take a moment to chat about something that’s absolutely transformed my genealogy journey – the #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge created by genealogist Amy Johnson Crow. Think of it as your personal invitation to dust off those family stories hiding in your…
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Language – Decoding My Swedish Ancestry
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For Week 14 of #52Ancestors There’s something uniquely challenging and rewarding about researching ancestors who spoke a language different from your own. As someone who has spent countless hours poring over Swedish church records, I’ve developed a love-hate relationship with the beautiful, flowing handwriting of 19th-century Swedish parish priests—and the…