The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast

Nicole Dyer
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Research Like a Pro is a podcast about genealogy research methodology. Diana Elder and Nicole Dyer of FamilyLocket.com discuss how to take your family history research to the next level and uncover more of your family tree. Learn about research objectives, analysis, locality research, research planning, source citations, report writing, case studies, and more. Diana and Nicole are the mother-daughter team at FamilyLocket.com and the creators of the Amazon bestselling book, Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide. Diana created the Research Like a Pro method after becoming an Accredited Genealogy professional through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists. Discover the process that a professional genealogist uses and make progress on your own brick walls.

  1. 3D AGO

    Transforming Court Records Research with AI: Analyzing

    Diana and Nicole discuss the analysis phase of their AI-assisted research into the 18th-century court orders between Samuel Daniel and the Roystons in Colonial Virginia. They explain how AI helps them understand complex legal terms like "imparlance," "covenant," "trespass upon the case," and "replevin bond" within the context of the court cases. Going through a case-by-case analysis, they trace the legal strategy that began after apprentice John Royston ran away from Samuel Daniel in 1770. They discuss Richard Wiatt Royston's initial trespass suit, Daniel's failed attempt to sue the minor John Royston, and the protracted litigation that ultimately led to Daniel successfully suing Richard as the apprenticeship guarantor, which resulted in a £10 award. They also analyze the execution on a replevin bond, which reveals details about Daniel's financial struggle. Listeners will learn how to effectively use AI as an assistant to find, transcribe, interpret, and organize complex court records faster, without sacrificing the fundamental principles of sound genealogical research. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links Transforming Court Records Research with AI: A Case Study from Colonial Virginia Part 2: Analysis - https://familylocket.com/transforming-court-records-research-with-ai-a-case-study-from-colonial-virginia-part-2-analysis/ Sponsor – Newspapers.com For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code "FamilyLocket" at checkout.  Research Like a Pro Resources Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/ Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d 14-Day Research Like a Pro Challenge Workbook - digital - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-digital-only/ and spiral bound - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-spiral-bound/ Research Like a Pro Webinar Series - monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence - https://familylocket.com/product-category/webinars/ Research Like a Pro eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/ RLP Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-study-group/ Research Like a Pro Institute Courses - https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/ Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin - https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-ecourse/ RLP with DNA Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-study-group/ Thank you Thanks for listening! We hope that you will share your thoughts about our podcast and help us out by doing the following: Write a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. If you leave a review, we will read it on the podcast and answer any questions that you bring up in your review. Thank you! Leave a comment in the comment or question in the comment section below. Share the episode on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. Subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast app. Sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications of new episodes - https://familylocket.com/sign-up/ Check out this list of genealogy podcasts from Feedspot: Best Genealogy Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/genealogy_podcasts/

    42 min

  2. MAR 23

    Transforming Court Records Research with AI: Finding and Logging

    In this episode, Transforming Court Records Research with AI: Finding and Logging, Diana and Nicole discuss how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the challenging process of working with historical court records. Diana introduces the topic by explaining that while court records are treasure troves of genealogical information, they are often unindexed and difficult to read, featuring archaic legal terminology. She presents a case study of her research to identify Samuel Daniel of Middlesex County, Virginia. She explains her breakthrough was using FamilySearch's AI-Powered Full-Text Search to quickly locate twelve scattered court record entries spanning 1773 to 1774, detailing a complex legal dispute between Samuel Daniel and the Royston family, which would have been highly time-consuming with traditional browsing. Diana shares key search strategy tips, such as using quotes for exact phrase matching and trying variant spellings. Nicole then explains the subsequent steps in the AI workflow, starting with transcribing the relevant court pages using Google AI Studio. Diana describes how she organizes the findings by logging the court orders in a research log and then uploading the compiled records to an AI tool to create a chronological table that clarifies the legal actions and outcomes of the case. Nicole wraps up the discussion by outlining critical considerations for maintaining professional genealogical standards, including verifying AI transcriptions, documenting the process, and understanding AI's limitations. Listeners will learn practical strategies for using full-text search, transcription, and organization tools powered by AI to access and analyze challenging court records more effectively. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links Transforming Court Records Research with AI: A Case Study from Colonial Virginia Part 1 – Finding and Logging - https://familylocket.com/transforming-court-records-research-with-ai-a-case-study-from-colonial-virginia-part-1-finding-and-logging/ Sponsor – Newspapers.com For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code "FamilyLocket" at checkout.  Research Like a Pro Resources Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/ Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d 14-Day Research Like a Pro Challenge Workbook - digital - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-digital-only/ and spiral bound - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-spiral-bound/ Research Like a Pro Webinar Series - monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence - https://familylocket.com/product-category/webinars/ Research Like a Pro eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/ RLP Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-study-group/ Research Like a Pro Institute Courses - https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/ Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin - https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-ecourse/ RLP with DNA Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-study-group/ Thank you Thanks for listening! We hope that you will share your thoughts about our podcast and help us out by doing the following: Write a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. If you leave a review, we will read it on the podcast and answer any questions that you bring up in your review. Thank you! Leave a comment in the comment or question in the comment section below. Share the episode on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. Subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast app. Sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications of new episodes - https://familylocket.com/sign-up/ Check out this list of genealogy podcasts from Feedspot: Best Genealogy Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/genealogy_podcasts/

    33 min

  3. MAR 16

    Airtable Research Log Updates for 2026

    In this episode of Research Like a Pro, Diana and Nicole discuss the all-new Version 4.2 (2026) of the Research Like a Pro with DNA Airtable Research Log. The updates are designed to streamline the genetic genealogy workflow, making DNA research more flexible and reducing duplicate data entry.  Diana details the biggest change: the "Test-taker" and "DNA Match" fields in the DNA Match Details table are renamed to "Person 1 (P1)" and "Person 2 (P2)." This simple but powerful update allows users to record the shared DNA between any two people, including matches and their shared matches, which is particularly useful for analyzing data from Ancestry Pro Shared Matches, MyHeritage, and FTDNA. Nicole highlights that the family tree URLs, kit administrator fields, and match usernames are now centralized exclusively in the People table. This makes them lookup fields in other tables, meaning users enter the information only once and save significant time. Furthermore, Nicole discusses the Timeline table enhancement, where a new formula automatically converts varied date entries (e.g., "March 1857") into a standardized sortable format. Diana confirms that core tables like Locations, FANs, and Segments remain the same, preserving existing workflows. Listeners will learn how to make the most of the new base, with tips for migrating data from older versions. Diana concludes that the changes are designed for maximum efficiency, helping researchers focus more on analysis and discovery. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links RLP with DNA Research Log 4.2 (2026) Airtable Template Updates - https://familylocket.com/rlp-with-dna-research-log-4-2-2026-airtable-template-updates/ RLP with DNA Airtable Template 2026 – Updates and Change Log (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UYWptPpc02N5S8Rn8muSoGXvE2SfCkcl_DehG9TVRvQ/edit?usp=sharing Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/ Research Like a Pro Institute Courses including Merging and Separating Identities - https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/ Sponsor – Newspapers.com For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code "FamilyLocket" at checkout.  Research Like a Pro Resources Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/ Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d 14-Day Research Like a Pro Challenge Workbook - digital - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-digital-only/ and spiral bound - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-spiral-bound/ Research Like a Pro Webinar Series - monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence - https://familylocket.com/product-category/webinars/ Research Like a Pro eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/ RLP Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-study-group/ Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin - https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-ecourse/ RLP with DNA Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-study-group/ Thank you Thanks for listening! We hope that you will share your thoughts about our podcast and help us out by doing the following: Write a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. If you leave a review, we will read it on the podcast and answer any questions that you bring up in your review. Thank you! Leave a comment in the comment or question in the comment section below. Share the episode on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. Subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast app. Sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications of new episodes - https://familylocket.com/sign-up/ Check out this list of genealogy podcasts from Feedspot: Best Genealogy Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/genealogy_podcasts/

    29 min

  4. MAR 9

    From Searcher to Researcher: Listener Takeaways from 400 Episodes

    In this celebratory episode of the Research Like a Pro podcast, Diana and Nicole highlight the incredible impact the RLP process has had on their listeners by sharing several inspiring success stories. They read comments from researchers, one of whom explains how the RLP workflows help them conquer imposter syndrome, and another who shares a journey from feeling overwhelmed as a beginner to pursuing accreditation. Multiple individuals note that the RLP method turned them from "searchers" into "researchers," providing the structure and discipline necessary to break down brick walls, and in one instance, even launch a genealogy business.  Nicole shares fun podcast statistics, including that all 400 episodes equate to 250 hours of continuous listening, and that the total downloads for each podcast episode are roughly equivalent to filling the home-side bleachers of a high school stadium. Diana and Nicole then summarize the core benefits listeners gain from applying the RLP process, which include overcoming overwhelm, building confidence to go from intermediate to professional, and staying motivated by connecting with peer groups. They conclude by discussing the profound purposes of family history, such as making new discoveries, uncovering the truth, and rescuing ancestors from anonymity, which ultimately helps listeners connect with the past and preserve their family's stories for future generations. Listeners learn how to be more productive and disciplined and how the RLP process provides the confidence and structure needed to advance their genealogical research. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links Episode 1 from seven and a half years ago, July 16, 2018 - https://familylocket.com/rlp-1-introduction/ Top Ten Most Downloaded Episodes of RLP RLP 185: Revisiting Timelines and Analysis Again – 6,047 - https://familylocket.com/rlp-185-revisiting-timelines-and-analysis-again/ RLP 184: Revisiting Research Objectives Again – 5,872 - https://familylocket.com/rlp-184-revisiting-research-objectives-again/ RLP 186: Revisiting Locality Research Again – 5,820 - https://familylocket.com/rlp-186-revisiting-locality-research-again/ RLP 190: Revisiting Report Writing Again – 5,762 - https://familylocket.com/rlp-190-revisiting-report-writing-again/ RLP 156: Tracing 19th Century Germans with Heidi Mathis... – 5,692 - https://familylocket.com/rlp-156-tracing-19th-century-germans-part-1-the-nitty-gritty-of-german-names/ RLP 2: Research Objectives – 5,690 - https://familylocket.com/rlp-2-research-objectives/ RLP 1: Introduction – 5,665 - https://familylocket.com/rlp-1-introduction/ RLP 158: RLP with DNA Course with Allison Part 1 – 5,660 - https://familylocket.com/rlp-158-rlp-with-dna-ecourse-part-1/ RLP 100: Top Ten Tips to Research Like a Pro – 5,610 - https://familylocket.com/rlp-100-top-ten-tips-to-research-like-a-pro/ RLP 197: Proving Your Pedigree with DNA with Debra Hoffman – 5,606 - https://familylocket.com/rlp-197-proving-your-pedigree-with-dna-with-debra-hoffman/ Upcoming Conferences NGS GenTech Toolbox workshop by Nicole - Transcribing Handwritten Documents with Artificial Intelligence - https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/gentechtoolbox/transcribing-handwritten-documents-with-ai/ North Carolina Genealogical Society Virtual Conference March 27 – Using AI to Abstract 19th Century North Carolina Deeds by Nicole - https://www.ncgenealogy.org/event/2026-ncgs-virtual-conference/  National Genealogical Society Conference May 27-30 in Fort Wayne, Indiana - https://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/ - Nicole & Diana are giving several lectures on using AI to understand terminology, Barsheba Tharp DNA case, deciphering handwriting, court records, and finding females in court records. Sponsor – Newspapers.com For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code "FamilyLocket" at checkout.  Research Like a Pro Resources Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/ Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d 14-Day Research Like a Pro Challenge Workbook - digital - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-digital-only/ and spiral bound - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-spiral-bound/ Research Like a Pro Webinar Series - monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence - https://familylocket.com/product-category/webinars/ Research Like a Pro eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/ RLP Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-study-group/ Research Like a Pro Institute Courses - https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/ Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin - https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-ecourse/ RLP with DNA Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-study-group/ Thank you Thanks for listening! We hope that you will share your thoughts about our podcast and help us out by doing the following: Write a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. If you leave a review, we will read it on the podcast and answer any questions that you bring up in your review. Thank you! Leave a comment in the comment or question in the comment section below. Share the episode on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. Subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast app. Sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications of new episodes - https://familylocket.com/sign-up/ Check out this list of genealogy podcasts from Feedspot: Best Genealogy Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/genealogy_podcasts/

    46 min

  5. MAR 2

    Merging and Separating Identities with Jan Joyce

    Diana and Nicole speak with Jan Joyce, AG, CG, CGL, who developed and coordinates the new virtual institute course, "Merging & Separating Identities: Strategies and Tactics to Solve." Jan explains that the most common mistake genealogists make is failing to recognize they have a "same-name problem" and assuming multiple records belong to a single person. She notes that the challenge of merging and separating identity cases (M/S) is accelerating because of more digitized records, the explosion of DNA testing, and the rise of AI tools. Jan shares her own breakthrough M/S case, which involved a woman named Susan Gliddon in three different geographic locations, and an example of a student who had mistakenly merged two different William Thompsons for five years. Listeners learn that if they suspect an M/S case, they should immediately stop adding information to that part of their tree and begin systematically recording every descriptor for the individual into a spreadsheet. The multi-week course teaches a rigorous, step-by-step methodology, including the use of identity dossiers, timelines, and correlation techniques, using a Common Data Set to focus on learning the techniques themselves. Students gain the confidence to untangle complex cases and transform their research approach by learning to apply systematic methods to any genealogical research problem. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links Merging and Separating Identities Course registration: https://familylocket.com/product/merging-and-separating-identities/ Transform Chaos into Clarity: Organizing Your Merging and Separating Cases - https://familylocket.com/transform-chaos-into-clarity-organizing-your-merging-and-separating-cases/ Overview of the Merging and Separating Identities Course - https://familylocket.com/overview-of-the-merging-and-separating-identities-course/ From Chaos to Clarity: How Merging & Separating Identity Techniques Identified David Dewitt's Father - https://familylocket.com/from-chaos-to-clarity-how-merging-separating-identity-techniques-identified-david-dewitts-father RLP 256: Alford/Johnson Research – Interview with James Johnson - https://familylocket.com/rlp-256-alford-johnson-research-interview-with-james-johnson/ an interview with James Wesley Johnson, author of A Horse, A Gunfight, And The Law: A Historical Account of Our Alfords in Texas (name-change due to hiding from the law) Testimonials Student Experiences – Merging & Separating Identities - https://vimeo.com/1097036140/783bd4549f "This course was honestly the best course I've taken. Period." – EB "You outdid yourself with this course...so many great strategies and approaches to apply to tough research problems. I appreciate all of your hard work, effort, and sharing of knowledge to make us all better genealogists." – KT "What a stupendous week, Jan! Thank you so much for offering this course and for rounding up so many great speakers. I learned things from every person who spoke (whether as an official speaker or a member of the group taking the class)." – BS "The class pushed me out of my tunnel vision." – PG "I have to admit that I was skeptical if this approach would work for me — but I found it a great way to make connections as well as step away from my computer and stand a bit. So refreshing to learn something new that is fun too!" – KT "I have really enjoyed this course. It has made me think differently about so many things. While the focus was on M/S, so much of what was taught and discussed can be used in 'everyday research' which for me is usually 'problem solving.'" – RC "After Kim Richardson did her presentation, I should have just stayed up all night. I couldn't sleep because of all the ideas in my head. LOL!" – PG "I am always so impressed with your courses! You have a great teaching style and are respectful and patient with all participants. I learn so much from you and really appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge with the class." – CD "Today was really helpful - I feel like I learned new things at the right pace. I end the day energized rather than drained and overwhelmed." – KT "I'm really enjoying the course. Learning something new every day." – TF "I liked getting the materials each day, as opposed to getting a syllabus. I was more inclined to look at all the materials when they came to me in smaller batches." – PG Sponsor – Newspapers.com For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code "FamilyLocket" at checkout.  Research Like a Pro Resources Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/ Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d 14-Day Research Like a Pro Challenge Workbook - digital - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-digital-only/ and spiral bound - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-spiral-bound/ Research Like a Pro Webinar Series - monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence - https://familylocket.com/product-category/webinars/ Research Like a Pro eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/ RLP Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-study-group/ Research Like a Pro Institute Courses - https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/ Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin - https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-ecourse/ RLP with DNA Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-study-group/ Thank you Thanks for listening! We hope that you will share your thoughts about our podcast and help us out by doing the following: Write a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. If you leave a review, we will read it on the podcast and answer any questions that you bring up in your review. Thank you! Leave a comment in the comment or question in the comment section below. Share the episode on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. Subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast app. Sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications of new episodes - https://familylocket.com/sign-up/ Check out this list of genealogy podcasts from Feedspot: Best Genealogy Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/genealogy_podcasts/

    1h 10m

  6. FEB 23

    FamilySearch Wiki with Virginia Pratt

    This episode features Virginia Pratt, who brings decades of expertise to the discussion, including five years on the FamilySearch Research Wiki Team and a bachelor's degree in Family History from BYU. Virginia joins Nicole and Diana to discuss the essential, free online genealogical resource: the FamilySearch Research Wiki. Nicole asks Virginia to explain the Wiki's purpose, access methods, and how to navigate the main page, noting that it should be used for finding information on localities and record types, not individuals. Diana then asks Virginia to explain locality pages, where Virginia details what researchers can find at the country, state, and county levels regarding record keeping and jurisdictions. The conversation transitions to topic pages, where Virginia explains how they help genealogists find background information on records for specific areas, including online resources, historical context, and language-specific terms. Finally, Nicole asks Virginia to walk listeners through a practical example of using the Wiki for research in the John J. Hoover case study, demonstrating how to find information about records available in Henry County, Indiana, and Otero County, Colorado. Listeners will learn how to use the FamilySearch Research Wiki to find explanations of record types, develop effective research strategies, and successfully locate records for their ancestors worldwide. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links Research Like a Pro Institute Courses including Merging and Separating Identities - https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/ Virginia's four-part series on the Wiki at Family Locket: Using the FamilySearch Research Wiki – Part 1: Getting Started https://familylocket.com/using-the-familysearch-research-wiki-part-1-getting-started/ Using the FamilySearch Research Wiki – Part 2: Understanding Locality Pages https://familylocket.com/using-the-familysearch-research-wiki-part-2-understanding-locality-pages/ Using the FamilySearch Research Wiki – Part 3: Understanding Topic Pages https://familylocket.com/using-the-familysearch-research-wiki-part-3-understanding-topic-pages/ Understanding the FamilySearch Research Wiki – Part 4: Case Study https://familylocket.com/understanding-the-familysearch-research-wiki-part-4-case-study/ Sponsor – Newspapers.com For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code "FamilyLocket" at checkout.  Research Like a Pro Resources Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/ Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d 14-Day Research Like a Pro Challenge Workbook - digital - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-digital-only/ and spiral bound - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-spiral-bound/ Research Like a Pro Webinar Series - monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence - https://familylocket.com/product-category/webinars/ Research Like a Pro eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/ RLP Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-study-group/ Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin - https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-ecourse/ RLP with DNA Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-study-group/ Thank you Thanks for listening! We hope that you will share your thoughts about our podcast and help us out by doing the following: Write a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. If you leave a review, we will read it on the podcast and answer any questions that you bring up in your review. Thank you! Leave a comment in the comment or question in the comment section below. Share the episode on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. Subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast app. Sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications of new episodes - https://familylocket.com/sign-up/ Check out this list of genealogy podcasts from Feedspot: Best Genealogy Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/genealogy_podcasts/

    40 min

  7. FEB 16

    What Genealogists Can Learn from Colum McCann's "TransAtlantic": Writing Family History

    The episode opens with Diana and Nicole catching up on their latest work, focusing on testing AI models for accuracy in handwritten-text transcription tasks. The hosts then discuss the novel TransAtlantic by Irish author Colum McCann and what family historians can learn from its structure to write better family narratives. Diana explains that the novel views the immigration story from the Irish perspective, following the fictional character Lily Duggan and three subsequent generations, with the prose connecting each fictional character to a true story and an actual historical figure. Nicole shares the first historical snapshot, covering Lily Duggan's 1845 meeting with the formerly enslaved abolitionist Frederick Douglass in Ireland. She then details the 1919 Atlantic crossing of Lily's daughter Emily and granddaughter Lottie, where they witness the first non-stop transatlantic flight by aviators Alcock and Brown. Diana picks up the thread by discussing Lottie's later meeting with US Senator George Mitchell during his 1998 peace brokering visit to Northern Ireland, and the final chapter, where Lily's great-granddaughter, Hannah, possesses the unopened letter that connects all the women. Listeners learn three key ideas for writing their own family stories: use a focal object passed down through generations, consider historical characters an ancestor may have encountered, and research important historical events in the time and place their ancestors lived to understand how those events may have impacted them. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links What Genealogists Can Learn from Colum McCann's "TransAtlantic": Writing Family History - https://familylocket.com/what-genealogists-can-learn-from-colum-mccanns-transatlantic-writing-family-history/ TransAtlantic: A Novel, by Colum McCann - https://amzn.to/3Z0KBDI (affiliate link) Sponsor – Newspapers.com For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code "FamilyLocket" at checkout.  Research Like a Pro Resources Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/ Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d 14-Day Research Like a Pro Challenge Workbook - digital - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-digital-only/ and spiral bound - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-spiral-bound/ Research Like a Pro Webinar Series - monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence - https://familylocket.com/product-category/webinars/ Research Like a Pro eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/ RLP Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-study-group/ Research Like a Pro Institute Courses - https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/ Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin - https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-ecourse/ RLP with DNA Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-study-group/ Thank you Thanks for listening! We hope that you will share your thoughts about our podcast and help us out by doing the following: Write a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. If you leave a review, we will read it on the podcast and answer any questions that you bring up in your review. Thank you! Leave a comment in the comment or question in the comment section below. Share the episode on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. Subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast app. Sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications of new episodes - https://familylocket.com/sign-up/ Check out this list of genealogy podcasts from Feedspot: Best Genealogy Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/genealogy_podcasts/

    26 min

  8. FEB 9

    Visiting My Love County, Oklahoma, Roots

    In this episode, hosts Diana and Nicole share a personal and informative journey as they visit their Love County, Oklahoma, roots to walk in the footsteps of Diana's ancestors, Richard and Nancy (Briscoe) Frazier. Diana recounts the lives of her 2nd great-grandparents, discussing their survival through the Civil War in the Ozarks, Richard's service as a teamster for the Confederacy, and their eventual migration from Missouri to Texas and then across the Red River into the Chickasaw Nation (Burneyville) in the 1890s. Nicole shares details from their visits to the Burneyville Cemetery, where Richard and Nancy are buried alongside two of their children. She provides an analysis of their headstones, including the epitaphs and the early 20th-century Christian symbolism, and discusses a treasured family photo of Nancy with her grandchildren, Ettie Belle and Bert Harris. Diana then recounts her visit to the Love County Historical Society Pioneer Museum. She highlights how local museums provide essential context, noting the replicas of ferries—like Tuck's Ferry—that the Frazier family would have used to cross the Red River. Diana shares her experience meeting the curator, Laquitta, and discovering an obituary for one of Nancy's sons, Colon Frazier. Listeners will learn the immense value of visiting the physical locations of their ancestors' lives and using cemetery and museum research to bring their family history to life. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links Visiting My Love County, Oklahoma, Roots - https://familylocket.com/visiting-my-love-county-oklahoma-roots/ Billion Graves - https://billiongraves.com/ Richard Frazier Findagrave - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14296957/richard-frazier Nancy Briscoe Findagrave - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14139934/nancy_e-frazier John C. Harris Findagrave - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/80781198/john-christian-harris - this memorial has GPS coordinates attached when you click "show map" Sponsor – Newspapers.com For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code "FamilyLocket" at checkout.  Research Like a Pro Resources Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/ Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d 14-Day Research Like a Pro Challenge Workbook - digital - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-digital-only/ and spiral bound - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-spiral-bound/ Research Like a Pro Webinar Series - monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence - https://familylocket.com/product-category/webinars/ Research Like a Pro eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/ RLP Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-study-group/ Research Like a Pro Institute Courses - https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/ Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin - https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-ecourse/ RLP with DNA Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-study-group/ Thank you Thanks for listening! We hope that you will share your thoughts about our podcast and help us out by doing the following: Write a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. If you leave a review, we will read it on the podcast and answer any questions that you bring up in your review. Thank you! Leave a comment in the comment or question in the comment section below. Share the episode on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. Subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast app. Sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications of new episodes - https://familylocket.com/sign-up/ Check out this list of genealogy podcasts from Feedspot: Best Genealogy Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/genealogy_podcasts/

    35 min
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4.7
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250 Ratings

About

Research Like a Pro is a podcast about genealogy research methodology. Diana Elder and Nicole Dyer of FamilyLocket.com discuss how to take your family history research to the next level and uncover more of your family tree. Learn about research objectives, analysis, locality research, research planning, source citations, report writing, case studies, and more. Diana and Nicole are the mother-daughter team at FamilyLocket.com and the creators of the Amazon bestselling book, Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide. Diana created the Research Like a Pro method after becoming an Accredited Genealogy professional through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists. Discover the process that a professional genealogist uses and make progress on your own brick walls.

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