When your ancestor doesn’t appear in a genealogy search, it doesn’t mean the record doesn’t exist. Discover 14 practical strategies for finding hidden and unindexed records, from browsing original images and searching alternative spellings to exploring archives, newspapers, family networks, and full-text search tools. Learn how to move beyond the search box and uncover family-history clues you may have been missing.
Author Archives: Darrell Gibbs
Effective Research Strategies for Family Historians
Pip: There’s a moment in every family historian’s life when a name on a document stops being a stranger and becomes someone you’re responsible for remembering — and Darrell Gibbs has built an entire site around that moment. Mara: That’s the territory we’re covering today — how to get started in genealogy, what research strategiesContinue reading “Effective Research Strategies for Family Historians”
About Your DNA
DNA is one of the most powerful tools available to modern genealogists. By understanding your genetic heritage, you can uncover family connections, verify ancestral lines, break through long-standing research brick walls, and discover relatives you never knew existed. This article explains the different types of DNA tests, how DNA matches work, the value of ethnicity estimates, and how genetic evidence complements traditional genealogy records such as censuses, parish registers, and vital records. Whether you are just beginning your family history journey or looking to solve a family mystery, understanding your DNA can open new doors to your past and provide valuable insights into the generations that came before you.