Family Search Labs

Family Search Labs is where the team posts what they are working on. These experiments are available for us to try out and provide feedback on. 

https://www.familysearch.org/en/labs/ 

On the main page scroll down, look for FamilySearch Labs on the right side and click View Experiments. 

A list of experiments will be displayed. 

Click Try It to enable the experiment. 

Here are a few that are available now:

Search All Family Trees on FamilySearch - there are other trees besides the family tree on FamilySearch. This allows you to search all the trees from one place. Sources include Guild of One-Name Studies, MyTrees.com, Pedigree Resource File, International Genealogical Index, User Trees, and the FamilySearch Family Tree. 

Simple Search - A new way to search Full-Text Search documents. Type what you want to know, just like you would for a Google search.  I searched for an ancestor using text, and the results included more items than when I put their name in the Keyword field of the existing search. I'm definitely going to keep using this one. 

Improved Change Person Log - improved notes to see what changes have been made to a person's records. This will be helpful if you have an ancestor whom someone else has made a change to, or a record that was merged.

Experiments have a Feedback button; use it to let them know if you like the change or have any issues.  

Link to YouTube Video about the Experiments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoIDc7KrTzg 

Intro to Records of the National Archives by Rebecca Whitman Koford, GC

 Utah Genealogical Society Free Webinar - June 18, 2026 at 8 pm CDT. 

Rebecca is the Director of the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed) and has unique insights to the records preserved by the National Archives (NARA). This lecture will introduce a little of the history and explain how records are organized. Where major genealogically-rich collections are located and a peek into the NARA Catalog will round out the presentation. 

Register at https://ugagenealogy.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GDgSg6NwQaqtoJOPk-InOg#/registration 

"How To" - Get Blog Post Notifications sent to your email

 

Want to get notifications sent to your email when there's a new GenFriends blog post?

Step 1

Use this link:

https://genfriends.blogspot.com/

Step 2 

Look for the "Enter your email".

Step 3

Click the blue Follow button to see updates in your reasding list.

"Get the Scoop on Your Ancestors with Newspapers"

Join Genealogy Friends for our next Free Saturday Seminar

Here are the details:

Saturday, June 20, 2026 at W.O. Haggard Library,  2501 Coit Rd., Plano, TX or via Zoom

Library Doors Open at 10:00 - Networking, Coffee, and Goodies 10:15-10:45 

Zoom Room Opens at 10:15

Announcements and Lecture Starts at 10:45

Newspapers are one of my favorite sources; they are on my research list for every genealogy project! Articles can provide details about ancestors' lives that aren't found in any other source. 

I learned that when my grandparents got married, there was a dinner to announce their engagement. There were three showers for my grandmother - a linen shower, a kitchen shower, and a kitchen shower - articles included who attended, a description of the decorations, and the gifts she received. There was also a description of their wedding reception - music played, decorations, food, and where the couple was going on their honeymoon. 

Email newsletter@genealogyfriends for zoom information. 

Allen County Public Library - a "must" to visit - Focus on PERSI

 I just returned from the 2026 National Genealogical Society - Family History Conference held in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Convention Center was a short one block walk to the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library (ACPL). Add this library to your list to visit both virtually and in person!

The Periodical Source Index (PERSI)

A major enhancement to the Periodical Source Index was launched during the conference week. In addition to the continual indexing that adds thousands of records to the database each quarter, and under the direction of the ACPL project supervisor, Adam Barrone, the library staff started linking to digital copies of periodical issues indexed in PERSI and found available for free on the Internet. Whether the issues are on societies’ websites, the Internet Archive, the HathiTrust Digital Library, or any other posting entity and are available for free without need to login or acquire credentials, the library staff is starting to link to those issues on the PERSI result pages!

When one conducts a search in PERSI (freely available 24/7 on the Genealogy Center website at www.genealogycenter.info/persi), one can navigate a path that leads to a results page. For 22% (and growing) of the 3.2 million PERSI records, there will be the international symbol for a link displaying after the ACPL call number. Clicking on that link will take one to the free site where a copy of the periodical issue you need will be presented. That’s right--for statistically one fifth of the results of searches in PERSI, one will be taken to the actual virtual copy of the periodical needed. If there is ever a reason to try PERSI, or go back to PERSI again, now is the time!

Source for this post: 

Genealogy Gems: News from the Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne

No. 267, May 31, 2026

If you'd like to be added to this Genealogy Gems distribution list, check out this link:

https://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/genealogy-gems

WATCH for additional posts about the Allen County Public Library such as "how to get your own free ACPL card".

Free DNA Webinar - June 11, 2026 (1 pm ET) - Your DNA Guide

 It's great that Genealogy Friends have two special interest groups for the Beginner and Intermediate levels. In between these sessions, watch the blog for other opportunities to learn.  Thanks for sharing this, Kathy.

"DNA Talks. What's Your Story?" 

You don’t need to be a therapist or a tech expert to make a difference.

The truth is, your children and grandchildren need you—your stories, your perspective, your honesty about both strength and struggle.

In this free 45-minute live session, Diahan Southard, founder of Your DNA Guide, will share how story, science, and connection come together to build real resilience—and how you can use what you already have to help the rising generation lean in to family for connection.

Here's the link if you'd like to register:

https://diy.yourdnaguide.com/8421-webinar-jun-2026

DNA Webinar - register for free (June 19, 2026)

 

GEDmatch Official Website is a genealogy and DNA analysis platform that allows people to upload raw DNA data from various testing companies and compare it with other users’ data. Founded in 2010, GEDmatch provides tools for identifying genetic relatives, exploring ancestry, and conducting family history research beyond the limitations of individual DNA testing services. The platform is widely used by genealogists, adoptees, and family historians. 

GEDmatch offers a large collection of genetic genealogy tools, with core features available for free and additional advanced tools through its Tier 1 subscription. According to GEDmatch's official documentation, the main features include:

Free Features

• One-to-Many DNA Comparison
  • Compares your DNA kit against the entire GEDmatch database.
  • Identifies genetic relatives across multiple testing companies.
  • Provides contact information for matches when available.
• One-to-One Autosomal DNA Comparison
  • Compares two DNA kits directly.
  • Shows shared DNA segments and the amount of DNA shared.
  • Helps verify relationships and evaluate match quality.
• Admixture (Heritage) Analysis
  • Estimates ancestral and ethnic origins.
  • Displays the proportion of DNA associated with different geographic populations.
• Cross-Platform DNA Matching
  • Accepts DNA data from major testing companies, including AncestryDNA, 23andMe, FamilyTreeDNA, and others.
  • Allows matching across databases rather than being limited to a single testing company.

ALL USERS can sign up for free for webinar on June 19, 2026 at 12 noon CT on this topic: 

"The Next Generation of GEDMatch - Live Preview" 

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5563744796617411927?utm_source=GMnewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=may_2026

Library of Congress Webinar

 Discover the Library of Congress's genealogy resources and learn how to uncover the stories, records, and connections that bring your family history to life. 

The purpose of this event is to introduce members of the public to the resources at the Library of Congress that can be used for genealogical research. The Serial & Government Publications Division and Local History and Genealogy Section are collaborating to enhance access to genealogical resources like Chronicling America and the reference resources provided by the Local History and Genealogy Section for both offsite and onsite research. 

Webinar on June 10th at 5:30 central time.

Registration Link https://loc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_VBKj9TNzQKOltUt6OA3CYw#/registration 

GRIP Virtual Evening Sessions

 GRIP Virtual Evening Sessions are Free and Open to everyone, pre-register at https://grip.ngsgenealogy.org/youre-invited-grip-virtual.../

MyHeritage - Free Access to U.S. Military Access Records from May 22-26, 2026

 Happy Searching!

https://blog.myheritage.com/2026/05/enjoy-free-access-to-u-s-military-records-on-myheritage-for-memorial-day/

From May 22–26, 2026, MyHeritage is opening free access to 35 U.S. military record collections containing more than 213 million historical records.

Even if you only have a few minutes, pick one ancestor and see what else you can learn about his or her military service.

Honoring Those Who Served on Memorial Day

 

How well do you know your hometown and the nearby towns and counties? I grew up 10 miles from Waterloo, New York in Seneca County. Learn about Waterloo and its claim to fame about Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day. Where ever and whenever this tradition started, I'm glad we pause to remember our ancestors and others who served.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterloo_(village),_New_York

https://time.com/5291026/memorial-day-started-birthplace-history/

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has an excellent webpage with Memorial Day history. 

https://www.cem.va.gov/history/Memorial-Day-history.asp#MemorialDay

Explore the VA site to also learn more about veterans' burial and memorial benefits, info about headstones/ markers/ medallions in various types of cemeteries, and how to request service records.

Glad to see some flags already displayed for this long Memorial Day weekend.  Check this link for other 2026 flag-flying days:

https://www.flags.com/Flag-Flying-Days-Holidays-Flag-Flying-Calendar-Half-Staff-Alerts?srsltid=AfmBOooPspBhxwfpcO-N0vG6CiCKa7V9e-o4h52Nl0Io5vNr-QhzNMtU

Newspapers.com Announces New Clipper

 The clipping tool on Newspapers.com has been updated to allow the selection of multiple areas on a single page and save them as a single clip. This will be helpful when an article covers multiple columns.

Drag a box around the first part of the article, hit the blue + icon to add another block. You can add up to 5 separate blocks on the same page. 

 Here is a link to the blog article. 

MyHeritage Updates

 Family Infographics

Transform a Life Story into an Infographic using your photos and family tree data. Here is the Infographic created about Clara Magdalen Ziebold from my tree. It used the photographs I uploaded for Clara, her husband, and her parents. I used Google Notebook LM to create infographics but they didn't use the photographs of the people. I like this one better. 

Tribute Reel

Turn your photos into a Video. Here is a blog post introducing this feature. I uploaded six pictures. They were colorized and animated in a 40-second video. 

Scribe AI

Upload a historical record, letter, document, or photo, and AI will analyze it - Key Findings, Extracted Details, Historical Context, Research Tips. 

I uploaded an Annual Report from The Waterloo Milling Company 

Scribe AI provided an accurate transcription of the document, including both the printed and handwritten sections. There was also a summary and the following: 

Historical Context 

This document is a 1902 Annual Report for a corporation, specifically the Waterloo Milling Co., filed with the Secretary of State of Illinois.

• Purpose: It serves as a legal declaration of the company's active status, its primary business activities, its location, and its current officers. Such documents were required by state law to maintain corporate standing and provide public transparency regarding business leadership.
• Historical Context: Documents like this provide valuable insight into local economies and prominent businessmen of the era. The Waterloo Milling Co. would have been a significant agricultural and industrial entity in Monroe County.
• Terminology: The use of the word "do" in the table is an abbreviation for "ditto," meaning the entry is the same as the one immediately above it.

Key Findings

• The document is a 1902 Annual Report for the Waterloo Milling Co., located in Waterloo, Monroe County, Illinois.
• The company was actively engaged in the manufacture of flour, feed grain, and commissions.
• Jos. W. Rickert served as President, and Geo. Ziebold served as both Secretary and Treasurer, with their terms expiring in 1903.
• The document was officially signed, sealed, and notarized on February 8, 1902, by Geo. Ziebold and Police Magistrate A. C. Douglass.

Suggested Next Steps

• You should search MyHeritage for the 1900 and 1910 US Federal Census records for Jos. W. Rickert and Geo. Ziebold in Waterloo, Monroe County, Illinois, to discover their family members, ages, and birthplaces.
• You can look for local Monroe County historical societies or business directories from the early 1900s to learn more about the Waterloo Milling Co. and its economic impact on the area.
• Check MyHeritage for city directories or county histories that might feature biographical sketches of prominent local businessmen like Rickert and Ziebold.
• Investigate the Illinois State Archives online databases for further incorporation documents or subsequent annual reports for the Waterloo Milling Co. to track the company's history and leadership changes.

Genealogy Friends from Afar - look to local historical/genealogical societies where your families lived

 

Small historical or genealogical societies are wonderful for getting to know more about your relatives' FAN Club.  Here's an example on my mother's side of the family in Upstate New York (Scriba farming community established in 1811 in Oswego County).

https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Scriba,_Oswego_County,_New_York_Genealogy

My journey started by reaching out to the Scriba Historical Society on Facebook.  Then, I started emailing the society's President (Mary).  I really wanted to borrow a copy of Charles D. Young's out of print, two volume books - A Scriba Anthology.  I already had attempted Interlibrary Loan and received the Table of Contents. Going low tech, Mary sent them to me via US Mail, and I later returned them the same way.

I also have enjoyed watching videos that this small welcoming group posts:

https://scribahistoricalsociety.org/video/

Success came yesterday. After trying to join a monthly Friday roundtable sharing call via Facebook didn't work last month, I was able to join via ZOOM with the Scriba NY folks in the audience and a Wichita KS man who grew up in Scriba and knew my grandparents. 

Tip for working with local societies:  Free ZOOM works well - log back if needed. Also, volunteer to help remotely such as I did with some scanning.

"Grandma's Recipes" was the roundtable sharing topic. I brought my copy of the 1982 Oswego County Historical Society Cookbook.  The participant from Kansas showed a Scriba Baptist Church cookbook from before I was born.  I now literally have some more of my Grandma's recipes for apple cake, doughnuts, wine drop cookies, baked corn, tomato conserve, salmon loaf, and popcorn balls. If only I can find her directions for making homemade cottage cheese. I loved making and eating it with her.

Relatives at RootsTech available until April 30, 2026

Just a few more days to reach out to cousins via FamilySearch and Relatives at RootsTech. At least, check out your cousins' trees to further your research with some hints on how you might be related.

Want to focus on one line?  Instead of scrolling through thousands of potential relatives, search by ONE ANCESTOR LINE.  For me, I narrowed it down to 16 matches on one surname where I have a brick wall question.

Happy searching, connecting, and researching.

Note: After access to Relatives at RootsTech ends next week, it'll be back for a couple of months before, during, and after RootsTech 2027.

Reclaim the Records

 Reclaim The Records is a non-profit activist group of genealogists, historians, researchers, and open government advocates. They identify important genealogical record sets that are wrongly restricted by government archives, libraries, and agencies. They file Freedom of Information and Open Data requests to get the public data released. If the government doesn't comply they take them to court. The records are digitized and put online for free. 

Thanks to their efforts here are a few of the records that are now available:

New Jersey Marriage Index 1901-2016

Missouri Death Index, 1968-2015

New York State Marriages (Outside of New York City) 1881-2017

New York State Death Index 1880-2017

The BIRLS (Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem) Database

Wyoming Marriage, Death, and Divorce Indices, 1900-1965

Maryland State Archives Collection

Visit their website for a full list https://www.reclaimtherecords.org/

Sign up for their newsletter  https://www.reclaimtherecords.org/#newsletter

DNA Day Event by Kelli Bergheimer

 Kelli Bergheimer founded a DNA group Genetics, Genealogy and You. They meet on the 3rd Sundays from 5-7 pm EST online. The meeting are 30 minutes of updates followed by a 60 minute presentation and Q&A. 

They have a DNA Day Event coming up on April 26th that is free to join.

Topic: DNA Day event
Time: Apr 26, 2026 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83306692927?pwd=N3mb0IhvX0fOjOFYR4cxQhyRPBRGap.1

Meeting ID: 833 0669 2927
Passcode: 584298

Their Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100046358384221# 

Colonial Taxes to the 20th Century

 

I remember the date of April 15 in two different ways - first, as my grandmother's birthday and, of course, filing my taxes over the years. 

If you'd like to explore tax records from 1791-1996, check NARA Record Group 58 at:

https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/058.html

For easier perusing, try Cyndi's List using the Taxes category:

https://www.cyndislist.com/taxes/general/

Any Patents or Inventors in your family tree?

 

Someone in our GenFriends group said "I don't have any inventors in my family". Come listen to Judy on Saturday. I thought the same thing until last year when I found a family member involved as a contractor in the farming community. 

I know of one distant cousin who applied for a patent shown below:

J. T. WELLS. TRUSS FOR BUILDINGS OR BRIDGES. No. 401,870.

Patented Apr. 23, 1889.

"Be it known that 1, JOHN TALCOTT Wants, of Scottsville, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Truss for Buildings or Bridges.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved truss for buildings for simplicity with great strength, and at the same time dispensing with metallic braces, thus making it a very cheap structure.

The invention consists of two parallel arches formed of bent boards or any material used in building and connected with each other by posts and braces."

Accompanying drawings, specifications, and letters of reference apparently were also included in the application.

Want to see what the barns look like?  Check this website - https://www.wellsbarnhistory.com/introduction/

Add to comments on this post with any patent and/or inventor discoveries you find!

 

Mining U.S. Census Records (1790-1950)

 

U.S. Census Records currently are available from 1790 to 1950. 

How time has flown! The 1950 Census was released on April 1, 2022 - four years ago.

Come to Research at the Library on 4/11/26 to ask and/or share your Census insights from your family research. See 1880 Agricultural Schedule for what I learned about my family in Scriba, Oswego, NY.

After this month's Research at the Library, we'll continue learning about Other Censuses at a future session.

Don't forget that you also can learn about the Census more at:

https://www.census.gov/en.html

Researching Revolutionary War Ancestors

The 250th anniversary of the United States (July 4, 2026) is officially known as the Semiquincentennial. It marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. There is a focus on resources to research ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War on both sides. Here are a few that might help:

• American Ancestors Revolutionary Roots https://americanrevolution.americanancestors.org/
• Free Research Guides
• Researching Patriot Roots
• Researching Loyalist Roots
• Video - Friend or Foe by David Allen Lambert
• Fold3 - Free access with a Plano or Dallas Library Card from home
• Revolutionary War Burial Index 1775-1875 - Index cards created by BYU Library from lists of burial locations of soldiers published by the DAR https://www.fold3.com/publication/1464/revolutionary-war-burial-index

Card for Joseph Durfee

• Revolutionary War Pension Files, 1775-1900 - Full Text Search - https://www.fold3.com/publication/467/us-revolutionary-war-pensions-1800-1900

Joseph Durfee mentioned in the Pension file for George Read. 

• Revolutionary War Service Records, 1775-1783   https://www.fold3.com/publication/470/us-revolutionary-war-service-records-1775-1783

Compiled Military Service Record - Joseph Durfee

German Genealogy Made Possible: A Roadmap for Research, Records, and Trees

FamilySearch and the German Genealogy Collective are offering a free one-day online event on Saturday, May 23, 2026. Link to save your seat - https://germangenealogycollective.com/fs-ggc-call

More information will be available soon. 

Leo - Decipher Your Archive

I recently learned about a new website. I haven't tried it yet - would love to hear opinions about it. 

From their website - https://www.tryleo.ai/

Leo is an AI powered transcription tool and provides storage for a digital library. 

• Upload an image of a handwritten or printed document written in a Latin script (e.g. English, French, German). 
• Leo delivers a quick and accurate transcription. 
• Organize your documents into custom folders, search them within their hub, and export them for use in projects or applications. 
• A credit transcribes a single image. Each image can be a single page or double-page spread. 

Pricing

• Free - Storage 100 images, Monthly credits 10
• $15 per month - Storage 10,000 images, Monthly Credits 100
• Additional credits are available for purchase

Newspaper Research Overview & Newspaper Finder

Our last Roundtable discussion topic was Newspaper Research. Here is a recap of our discussion and a new site I just learned about. 

• Newspaper Finder is a Database for Digitized Newspapers https://newspaperfinder.com/
• Newspapers offer a window into the lives of our ancestors. Suggestions for things to look for in newspapers:
• Obituary
• Professional Notices and Advertisements for Ancestor's business
• Announcements for engagements, weddings, divorces, births
• Stories about parties like wedding showers, birthday parties
• Court Dockets
• Organization Meetings - 4H, card clubs, garden clubs, quilting group, women's organizations, Business Men's Association, fraternal organizations like Odd Fellows, Masons, Elks, etc. 
• School - grades, attendance awards, spelling bees, annual school picnic
• Politics - elections, conventions
• Land - real estate, homestead land advertisements, homestead awards, delinquent tax lists
• Shipping News - ships arriving and departing from port cities
• Cemeteries - burial notices, cemetery association meetings
• Religion - church services, tithing, and functions
• Digitized newspapers are searchable using technology like Optical Character Recognition and Artificial Intelligence. The accuracy of the search feature depends on:
• The quality of the newspaper image
• Newspapers made spelling mistakes, search using alternate spellings
• Words were split between lines due to space requirements, search using the first few characters of the word or name
• Titles were used - search on Mrs. John Smith or terms like Dr. or Doctor, Mayor, etc. 
• Search on addresses, occupations, business names, or cemetery names
• Keep a list of alternate spellings for Surnames and search on all of them.
• Use wildcards if they are available on the site. 
• Alternative Newspapers
• Look for newspapers printed in an immigrants mother tongue. 
• Other sources - religious newspapers, school newspapers, business newspapers, organization newspapers. 
• Finding Newspapers
• Don't forget not everything is digitized. Search the Library of Congress Directory of U.S. Newspapers in American Libraries https://www.loc.gov/collections/directory-of-us-newspapers-in-american-libraries/about-this-collection/ 
• Use Interlibrary Loan if the newspaper you need hasn't been digitized. 
• Google the name of the newspaper. 
• U.S. Newspaper Program - beginning in 1982 the National Endowment for the Humanities provided grants to preserve newspapers on microfilm. This website has a list of the institutions that participated from all 50 states. https://www.neh.gov/us-newspaper-program 
• National Digital Newspaper Program replaced the U.S. Newspaper Program and now focuses on digital preservation. https://www.loc.gov/ndnp/
• Check Universities, local libraries, local genealogical and historical societies to find newspapers, both online and offline. 
• Check the FamilySearch Research Wiki for the location. 
• Portal to Texas History https://texashistory.unt.edu/
• Digitized Collections:
• Library of Congress Chronicling America https://www.loc.gov/collections/chronicling-america/about-this-collection/
• Ancestor Hunt https://theancestorhunt.com/
• Elephind https://www.elephind.com/
• Old Fulton History https://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html 
• Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:List_of_online_newspaper_archives
• Google Newspaper Archive https://news.google.com/newspapers
• FamilySearch Newspaper Search https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/newspapers/
• Smalltown Papers Archive https://www.stparchive.com/landing.php?home=y
• Newspapers.com $ https://www.newspapers.com/
• GenealogyBank $ https://www.genealogybank.com/
• Old News $ https://www.oldnews.com/en
• Newspaper Archive $ (Free access Dallas Public Libraries or the National Genealogical Society Membership) https://newspaperarchive.com/ 

Do you have any Revolutionary War Patriots in your family?

 

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) public website has a wealth of resources for you to discover potential patriots.

(1) Ancestor Search https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search/?Tab_ID=1

Try searching on Livingston for last name, and Robert for first name.

Scroll down and click on Robert Henry Livingston (1760-1804) as an example.

Now try searches for couples in your direct line that may have service. For common surnames, it's helpful to also include spouse's name in your search. Also you can search using only the first 3-4 letters of a surname since spellings can vary.

(2) Descendants Search https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search/?Tab_ID=5

Try searching on Washington for last name, Martha for first name, and VA for state of birth.

Do you see Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (1731-1802) on the list?

Now try searches for your relatives who may have joined DAR already.

(3) Library Catalog -  https://nsdar.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?vid=01DAR_INST:DAR

This link has some helpful finding aids - See Revolutionary War Service (By State) as an example at: https://www.dar.org/sites/default/files/RevWarService.pdf

Happy exploring. Share your successes and/or add a question (in the comments field for this blogpost) to learn more.

Looking Ahead to Day 4 Roots Tech (Sat. March 7) or Dallas Genealogical Society General Meeting?

 

Saturday keynote speaker will be available via this link:

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/session/rootstech-2026-general-session-3-steve-young

Ari Wilkins is speaking on Saturday at 11 am CT at DGS but there will be NO replay.

Whether virtually or in person, join us "live".

“If you blink, you’ll miss it!” Did your ancestor come from a one-horse town or an unincorporated community? Learn about researching country ancestors! This lecture will discuss a variety of census records; land records; maps (including census enumeration, postal route and cadastral maps); rural directories; newspapers and other sources. It will also discuss methodology and state of the art tools for mapping and researching our rural ancestors.

https://dallasgenealogy.org/general-meeting/

Day 3 - RootsTech - Friday March 6

 

(1) Miss today's keynote session?

Watch replay at: https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/session/rootstech-2026-general-session-2-tara-roberts

Or, check Tara Robert's book website at: https://www.tararoberts.me/written-in-the-waters

(2) Trying to focus on which webinars to watch?

Go to RootsTech Schedule and filter by topics such as Breaking Through Brickwalls, Census, and Compiled Sources. You also can filter by Speaker and by Skill Level.

(3) Wishing you could see "In Person" only sessions as a virtual attendee?  

Click on those sessions and download handouts and/or slides.  Related Content may also provide previous videos to watch.

Day 2 - RootsTech - Thur March 5 - Online Expo is open!

 

Browse the multitude of offers now live on:

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/expohall/

(1) Search by Company or Category (such as Charts, DNA, Storytelling, Records, Preservation, Technology, Association, Society, Library).

(2) You also can browse "All Offers". This is an excellent time of year for a discounted price for something new (or perhaps lower a rate if close to a renewal). 

(3) Try this vendor as an example - FamilyTreeDNA

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/expohall/familytreedna

Here you'll find that you can upload DNA data for free (along with other promotions).

Plus, this link takes you to:

CLASSES

PRODUCT DEMOS

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (downloadable)

(4) Don't forget to check the Sponsors links since they usually announce "What's News?"

e.g., https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/expohall/familysearch

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/expohall/ancestry

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/expohall/myheritage

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/expohall/findmypast

Day 1 - RootsTech - Wed. March 4 (online)

 

RootsTech in person  is Thurs/Fri/Sat (March 5-7), but videos can be watched now.

Tips:

(1) Once you have registered for RootsTech (see previous post), create "My Schedule". 

When logged in, you can see your schedule in one place, so it's easy to play the videos.

(2) Look at your "Watch History" to see what you already viewed.

(3) For sessions with handouts, download them - helps with note-taking and for future reference.

(4) Don't forget to contact "Relatives at RootsTech" (see previous post). You might have a better likelihood of a response with many people online this week.

(5) Do you have favorite professional genealogists that you follow via social media or emails? Watch for their RootsTech insider tips and any special offers.  Some are in Salt Lake City in person, but many are online.

Family Tree Technology

 Natalie Webb helps people with technology and genealogy. Her website, Family Tree Technology, includes a blog, videos, and a dictionary. She hosts Office Hours each month where you can ask tech questions. 

This week, she is featuring a free Conference Momentum Pack to use during RootsTech. Check it out on her Website - Family Tree Technology

DNA Group Changes

 

Genealogy Friends DNA Special Interest Group has been meeting for a couple of years now and has evolved to intermediate and advanced topics. We are adding a second group that focuses on Beginning DNA topics. 

We would like your input to design programs for both groups that match your interests and experience. Please take a few minutes to answer the survey. 

  Survey Link 

March 21 (Saturday Seminar) "Be A Super Sleuth: Accessing Images and Full-Text Search in Family Search"

 

"Be A Super Sleuth: Accessing Images and Full-Text Search in Family Search" by Jill Morelli, CG, CGL

 Did you know that Family Search is placing their recently digitized material online in less than 24 hours after it is scanned? 

Did you know that they were placing them, not in the Catalog, but in Images? 

Did you know that using "Full Text Search," you can conduct an all word search in certain documents?

 What is a Super Sleuth to do? 

We will learn how to access these two features of FS to find your ancestors. Treasures await!

RootsTech with a Texas Focus

 

Discover the Innovative Genealogy and Archival Projects Shaping Texas

https://dallasgenealogy.org/texas-connect-2026/

CLICK on the "View Flyer" LINK so that you can see the many experts who will be speaking. Recordings will be available for anything you miss live.

RootsTech will be hosting their live Texas Connect virtual session on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9:00 – 11:00 am CST. This event brings spotlights outstanding genealogical and archival projects as well as collaborative and innovative work that is happening across the Lone Star State.

This will be a virtual even host on Zoom. Participants will be able to join one of the 19 break-out rooms to hear a short presentation followed by a question & answer period. Transitions (opportunity to go to a different break-out room) will occur every 20 minutes.

• You can join the live event on the 7^th at  https://tinyurl.com/TXConnect2026
• You will be able to view recordings of this years event (and view recordings from previous years) at  https://tinyurl.com/TXConnectYouTube
• View the flyer for more information

Tony Hanson will be conducting one of the sessions, sharing information about how the DGS has integrated the digital images of their publications in the society website.

Those of you who are planning to be at the library for the March7 General Meeting can stop by the Stone Room (located just outside of the O’Hara room) and watch parts of the Texas Connect presentation beginning at 9:00.

RootsTech - Check All Sponsors (Boston Tea Party Descendants as an example)

 

If you’re looking for world-class family history products and services, you’ll want to see what RootsTech sponsors have to offer! With trusted solutions, innovative products, free samples, and incredible deals, they may have just what you need for the next step of your family history adventure.

RootsTech, the largest international genealogy conference, is available to attend in person or online. If you’re attending RootsTech in person in Salt Lake City, you can visit our sponsors in the RootsTech Expo Hall. If you’re attending online, you can visit the virtual Expo Hall, where you'll have access to many of our sponsors’ booths. You can even interact with them online and ask questions.

Register for RootsTech Today

Get to know our valued sponsors below. They are categorized by sponsor level—platinum, gold, silver, bronze, or society—and then listed alphabetically in each level. Be sure to visit their websites to learn more and to find out about any special RootsTech deals!

Here's one I want to learn more about during the conference:

Boston Tea Party Descendants Program

The Boston Tea Party Descendants® Program is dedicated to fostering interest in genealogical connections to the Boston Tea Party participants, their families, and those involved in the colonial rebellion in Boston. The program is a growing resource for descendants, researchers, and organizations, providing access to historical documents, guidance from American Ancestors’ genealogists, lesson plans, oral histories, digital exhibits, and more.

Explore the Boston Tea Party Descendants online portal to discover and contribute to this remarkable historical archive.

https://www.bostonteapartyship.com/boston-tea-party-descendants

One week to Go until RootsTech - MyHeritage

 

Consider following this blog about MyHeritage as they announce speakers at RootsTech, plus any special offers and other news.

https://blog.myheritage.com/2026/02/myheritage-heads-to-rootstech-2026/

MyHeritage team members will present lectures as part of the official conference program. Here is the schedule of a few of the RootsTech 2026 lectures.

NOTE:  Be sure to check the time zone listed (most show the Salt Lake City time).

Thursday, March 5, 2026

9:30 A.M. MT — Room 151
Obituaries as Priceless Genealogy Resources
Daniel Horowitz, Genealogy Expert at MyHeritage

3:00 P.M. MT — Room 150
Genealogy for the Non-Genealogist: How to Engage Family and Friends with Family History
Erica Edvi, Head of Global Brand, MyHeritage

4:30 P.M. MT — Ballroom B
Genealogy, Upgraded: AI and Smart Tools on MyHeritage
Daniel Horowitz, Genealogy Expert at MyHeritage

Friday, March 6, 2026

8:00 A.M. MT — Room 151
Your Genes, Your Story: Exploring MyHeritage DNA
Ran Snir, VP Product, MyHeritage

1:30 P.M. MT — Room 151
Session with Gilad Japhet, Founder and CEO of MyHeritage

Saturday, March 7, 2026

3:00 P.M. MT — Room 151
Record-Breaking Records: MyHeritage’s Fastest-Growing Genealogy Record Collection
Myko Clelland, Director of Content at MyHeritage

For updates during the conference, follow MyHeritage on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.