Welcome to the blog of Darrell Gibbs. Here, you’ll find regular updates and more.
Whether you’re a family historian looking for tips and inspiration or a fan of Darrell’s blog which is a must-read. Don’t forget to subscribe to our mailing list to stay up-to-date on all the latest posts and news.
The 15-Step Genealogy Research Workflow
Turn genealogy questions into well-supported answers with this practical 15-step research workflow. Learn how to define your question, identify the right records, search beyond indexes, investigate family and associates, evaluate evidence, document your findings, and develop your next research step. A systematic approach can help you research smarter and break through stubborn family-history brick walls.
25 Essential Resources for Tracing Your Family Ancestry in 2026
Discover 25 essential resources and updated strategies for tracing your family ancestry in 2026. Learn how to use historical records, archives, newspapers, DNA, AI-assisted searches and cluster research to build a more accurate family tree.
15 Essential Genealogy Charts and Forms Every Beginner Needs in 2026
The right genealogy charts and forms turn scattered names, dates, records, and DNA clues into an organized research system. Discover the 15 essential worksheets every beginner should use in 2026—and learn what to record, how to use each one, and where to find reliable free templates.
The DNA From Your Mother’s Mother
Discover how mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can help uncover mysteries along your direct maternal line. Learn how mtDNA is inherited, what haplogroups and DNA matches can reveal, how ancient DNA fits into the picture, and how combining genetic evidence with traditional records can help solve stubborn maternal genealogy brick walls.
14 Genealogy Search Strategies for Finding Hidden and Unindexed Records
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…
MyHeritage Adds Y-DNA
MyHeritage has introduced Y-DNA analysis, giving many existing DNA users a new look at their direct paternal ancestry. Discover what Y-DNA haplogroups can reveal, how the new feature works, and when FamilyTreeDNA’s high-resolution Big Y-700 test may help solve a difficult paternal-line genealogy mystery.
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 strategies…
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…
10 Reasons to Research Immigration and Naturalization Records
Immigration and naturalization records are among the most valuable resources in genealogy research. From passenger lists and citizenship papers to border crossings and ship manifests, these records can reveal where your ancestors came from, when they arrived, who they traveled with, and the stories behind their journey to a new life. Discover 10 powerful reasons…
Whispers in Stone
Cemeteries offer more than quiet reflection—they are powerful, often overlooked resources for uncovering family history. Gravestones provide key details like names, dates, symbols, and epitaphs that reveal relationships, beliefs, and personal stories. Beyond what’s carved in stone, sexton records can fill in missing pieces with valuable information such as burial details, next of kin, and…
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