In the previous blog post, we talked about how DNA can enhance your genealogy research. For many people, this might mean breaking down brick walls where documentary evidence is lacking or simply exploring their ethnic roots. But for adoptees and those with unknown parentage, the questions can become heavier or more personal. Who were my birth parents? Do I have siblings? Why was I placed for adoption? Is anyone out there looking for me? How did I get to where I am today? At L

DNA is one of the most exciting and groundbreaking developments in modern genealogy, though most people don’t use it to it’s full potential. For many people, spitting into tubes or swabbing cheeks to mail off to DNA testing companies is all for the sake of that ethnicity pie chart or map 6 weeks later. Yet DNA’s use in genealogical research is much more powerful than that. It can aid in confirming family trees, breaking down brick walls, or even solving lifelong mysteries lik

When people hear the word “genealogy,” they often picture dusty family trees, black-and-white documents, or hours spent scrolling through census records. Others imagine rich storytelling—tales of immigration, family recipes, scandals, wars, or love stories passed down through generations. The truth is, genealogy and family history are two sides of the same coin—but they’re not exactly the same thing. In an earlier blog post, “What is Genealogy?”, I quoted a phrase I picked up

Genealogy can feel like a thrilling treasure hunt, especially when you stumble across a new ancestor or uncover an unexpected family connection. But even the seasoned researcher can fall into the bad habit of chasing rabbit holes every once in a while. You’ll start with one ancestor and end up at the public tree of a 3rd cousin 5x removed for a completely different ancestor, completely unsure how you got there. To be fair, great discoveries can  happen that way. However, prof