Blog Archive

Article - Interesting news, stories from the world of genealogy and my own take on genealogy topics.

Journal - A monthly review review of what I’m studying and learning; and working on in my family trees. List of new websites and tools that I discover.

Toolkit - More information about websites and tools that I use to help with my ancestry journey. Includes updates from major platforms like Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilySearch and Findmypast.

Monthly

Type

Tagged

Margo Shepherd 7/22/25 Margo Shepherd 7/22/25

The Stone Detective

Why Gravestones Are Genealogy Goldmines Around the World!

Margo Shepherd 7/18/25 Margo Shepherd 7/18/25

Your Family Story Part 4

There are many ways to present your findings, from simple documents to elaborate books or digital projects.

Margo Shepherd 7/15/25 Margo Shepherd 7/15/25

Your Family Story Part 3

The best visuals are those that enhance your story rather than detract from it.

Margo Shepherd 7/11/25 Margo Shepherd 7/11/25

Your Family Story Part 2

The core of compelling writing is weaving facts, context, and narrative together.

Margo Shepherd 7/8/25 Margo Shepherd 7/8/25

Your Family Story Part 1

Turning facts into a story is where the real magic happens in family history research.

Margo Shepherd 6/27/25 Margo Shepherd 6/27/25

10 Top Tips for…

10 practical tips to get you started on your Scottish family tree journey.

Margo Shepherd 6/24/25 Margo Shepherd 6/24/25

Citing Your Online Sources

Learn why and how to properly cite the online databases and websites you use for genealogy research to ensure accuracy and allow others to find the same information.

Margo Shepherd 6/20/25 Margo Shepherd 6/20/25

Part 2 - Mastering the Hunt

Historical newspapers are an absolutely crucial resource for bringing your ancestors' stories, and indeed their entire lives, to light - but finding that information requires strategy and effective search techniques.

Margo Shepherd 6/17/25 Margo Shepherd 6/17/25

Part 1 - Why Historical Newspapers?

Newspapers can hold amazing and often surprising information, like a mystery prize box of genealogical sources.

Margo Shepherd 6/13/25 Margo Shepherd 6/13/25

How far back can you go?

Ultimately, while reaching back hundreds or thousands of years is possible for some, and DNA can provide deep historical context, tracing specific individual ancestors often hits limitations.

Margo Shepherd 6/10/25 Margo Shepherd 6/10/25

10 Top Tips for…

If you're feeling buried under a mountain of shaky leaves, here are 10 top tips to help you manage your Ancestry hints and get back to making real progress.

Margo Shepherd 5/27/25 Margo Shepherd 5/27/25

Give Back!

Volunteering in the genealogy community offers a truly rewarding experience. It's a chance to give back, connect with passionate people, learn valuable skills, and feel the satisfaction of contributing to something deeply meaningful.

Margo Shepherd 5/20/25 Margo Shepherd 5/20/25

10 Top Tips for…

Initiating contact can sometimes feel daunting. Think of it like a first introduction – you want to make a good impression and encourage further interaction.