In this episode, Tami and Elizabeth discuss the concept of "reverse genealogy" with Cheri Hudson Passey, who has recently authored a book on the subject. They explore the methods of finding living relatives, the differences between researching living individuals and ancestors, and the emotional aspects of connecting with family. Cheri shares her experience of writing her book and the importance of clear communication when reaching out to relatives.

Afterward, Tami demonstrates how easy it is to open multiple websites simultaneously by using the browser extension “Open Multiple URLs.”

During Teatime, the hosts discuss recent changes to what the VA is sending when one makes a FOIA request through birls.org. Elizabeth compares the file she received in February with the useless letters genealogists are receiving now. Then, Tami discusses the reasons behind the upcoming closure of the Plaza Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. Those planning to attend the 2026 RootsTech Conference should consider making hotel reservations sooner rather than later due to this closure!

Finally, Tami shares a couple of Family History Month announcements regarding upcoming events by Vivid-Pix. If you are in the area, you won’t want to miss these!

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TIMECODE CHAPTERS

00:00:00 - INTRO

00:00:38 - Introduction to Genealogy Podcast

00:01:27 - Thank you to our Listeners and to WikiTree Challenge Elves

00:02:57 - Tami's Milo Allen Update

00:04:31 - Sponsor Break

00:05:01 - Introduction to Cheri Hudson Passey

00:05:49 - Interview with Cheri Hudson Passey

00:28:11 - Tech Tip: Open Multiple URLs

00:30:54 - Teatime

00:33:15 - Changes in how VA Fills FOIA Requests from birls.org

00:40:38 - The Plaza Hotel Closure and Future Plans

00:43:55 - Vivid-Pix Event Announcements

00:46:18 - OUTRO

__________________

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EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode, Tami and Elizabeth discuss Elizabeth’s participation in the August WikiTree Challenge with special guest Eowyn Langholf, WikiTree Community Manager. They delve into the unique aspects of WikiTree, emphasizing its community-driven approach.

In the What's Happening segment, Elizabeth shares news about babies born recently using a 3-parent IVF technique. Tami discusses creating AI biographies and videos using tools from Storied and MyHeritage.

During Teatime, Elizabeth spills the tea on the California Digital Newspaper Collection receiving needed funding and then letting all the employees go. Tami spills even more tea on strange genealogy job postings.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00  Intro

00:03:08  What Elizabeth is working on: DAR Applications and the Inheritance Project

00:05:52  What Tami is working on: Visualizing Genealogy Data

00:07:33  Interview with Eowyn Langholf, WikiTree Community Manager

00:20:09  About the WikiTree Challenge

00:22:37  Preparing for the Challenge

00:27:36  The WikiTree Challenge Process

00:32:21  The Growth and Accuracy of WikiTree

00:32:50  Future Aspirations for WikiTree

00:38:44  What’s Happening: Three-Parent IVF

00:40:52  What’s Happening: The Internet Archive and the GPO

00:42:29  What’s Happening: Enhancing Biographies with AI using Storied and MyHeritage

00:52:50  Teatime: California Digital Newspaper Collection

00:55:22  Teatime: Genealogy Jobs

01:00:26  Outro

RESOURCES

• The DAR Inheritance Project - ⁠https://blog.dar.org/2021/09/27/inherit-grandmas-patriots-through-new-program-launch⁠
• WikiTree - ⁠https://www.wikitree.com⁠
• Elizabeth’s WikiTree Challenge - ⁠https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/1913531/2025-wikitree-challenge-research-for-elizabeth-oneal-ended⁠
• 8 babies born with experimental 3-parent IVF technique - ⁠https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/3-parent-babies-uk-australia-1.7587286⁠
• The Internet Archive – ⁠https://archive.org⁠
• Federal Depository Library Directory – ⁠https://ask.gpo.gov/s/FDLD⁠
• GPO makes available Supreme Court cases dating back to the 18th century – ⁠https://librarytechnology.org/pr/31522⁠
• Storied U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918 – ⁠https://storied.com/historical-record-search/world-war-I-draft-registration-cards⁠
• MyHeritage’s AI Biographer™ – ⁠https://blog.myheritage.com/2023/12/introducing-ai-biographer-create-a-wikipedia-like-biography-for-any-ancestor-using-ai-enriched-with-historical-context⁠
• MyHeritage’s Deep Story (desktop version) – ⁠https://www.myheritage.com/deepstory⁠
• Losing Our History? Funding for the CaliforniaDigital Newspaper Collection Was Restored—but UC Riverside Laid Off All of theEmployees Responsible for the Project Anyway – ⁠https://cvindependent.com/2025/07/losing-our-history-funding-for-the-california-digital-newspaper-collection-was-restored-but-uc-riverside-laid-off-all-of-the-employees-responsible-for-the-project-anyway⁠
• ConferenceKeeper’s Genealogy Jobs – ⁠https://conferencekeeper.org/genealogy-jobs⁠
• Genealogy Jobs Facebook Group – ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1497651017151639⁠

KEYWORDS

WikiTree, genealogy, family history, community, AI, research,challenges, collaboration, ancestry, DNA, jobs, genetic genealogy

After a three-month hiatus involving a variety of life's ups and downs, Elizabeth and Tami are back in the studio! In this episode, they catch up on the past couple of months, including a few unexpected setbacks, some personal updates, and a few bright spots of good news.

The conversation turns to lineage society applications, with a focus on joining the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Why might genealogists want to apply? How do you find a chapter, and what do you need to get started? Tami shares her personal application journey, including what documentation she already had, what still needs to be tracked down, and tips on what kinds of evidence are most useful.

This episode's "What's Happening" segment covers several key updates:

• Changes to the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) Application Guide and process
• News of 23andMe's change in ownership
• How to connect your FamilyTreeDNA account to WikiTree and MyHeritage
• Plus, Tami walks us through recent enhancements to MyHeritage’s Live Memory feature.

During Tea Time, Tami spills the tea about a scary use of Artificial Intelligence for building family trees. Elizabeth sweetens things up by spotlighting GEDmatch's "Honor the Fallen" initiative, which pays tribute to those who served.

Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more genealogy goodness.

Got a question or an idea for a future episode? Email us or leave a comment—we'd love to hear from you!

*****

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/branchingoutgenpod

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/branching_out_genealogy_pod

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BranchingOutGenealogyPodcast

*****

TIMESTAMPS

Opening

• 03:29 Elizabeth mentions receiving an Award of Merit from the National Genealogical Society
• 04:00 ConferenceKeeper makes the Family Tree (UK) magazine’s Best 50 Websites list

Tami Joins the DAR

• 06:22  Tami's application to the DAR
• 07:38  Tami's questions about joining DAR
• 08:39 Elizabeth answers questions about DAR chapters and meetings 
• 08:55 Elizabeth talks about the new chapter of DAR in Ireland
• 10:00 Proof requirements for a DAR application
• 13:23 Choosing a chapter to join
• 14:18 How DAR membership benefits family history
• 16:07 Finding a registrar and starting your DAR application
• 18:00 Applying when a relative has already joined.
• 18:30 Documents needed for Tami's DAR application

What’s Happening

•  31:40 BCG 2025 Application Guide changes
• 33:18  Final sale of 23andMe to non-profit TTAM
• 36:29 Connecting FamilyTreeDNA account to WikiTree
• 37:58 MyHeritage update to Live Memory

Tea Time

• 41:30 Tami shares a scary misuse of Artificial Intelligence for family trees.
• 45:30 Elizabeth discusses the GedMatch initiative called “Honor the Fallen,” which attempts to use DNA to help identify remains of missing service members from WWII and the Korean War.

*****

RESOURCES

• NGS Award Recipients - https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/awards/
• Family Tree (UK) Magazine's 50 Best Free Genealogy Websites - https://www.family-tree.co.uk/how-to-guides/50-free-family-history-websites
• Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) - https://www.dar.org/
• DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS) - https://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search/?Tab_ID=0
• BCG New Application Guide Info - https://bcgcertification.org/new-application-guide-2025
• FamilyTreeDNA Collab with WikiTree - https://blog.familytreedna.com/connect-wikitree-dna-matches/
• GEDmatch's "Honor the Fallen" - https://www.gedmatch.com/fallen-warriors-the-unknowns/
• Individual Deceased Personnel File Portal - https://idpfs.com/

In this episode, co-hosts Elizabeth and Tami talk about their experiences at 2025 RootsTech Conference, from the Expo Hall to the Forums, what’s new at FamilySearch, and what other industry leaders are up to. 

The show begins with a follow-up to Tami’s Ancestry Pet DNA testing and Elizabeth’s FOIA BIRLS request.

Next up are highlights from RootsTech, followed by a visit with Gena Philibert-Ortega, who shares her enthusiasm about GRIP and her passion for reading.

What's Happening includes news about upcoming events, changes, and scholarship deadlines.

During Tea Time, Elizabeth provides an update on NY Vital Records, and Tami discusses genealogy in the virtual world of Second Life.

TIMESTAMPS

2:23 Tami shares results of her pound pup’s DNA test, which included a close shared match.

7:00 Elizabeth talks about receiving one of her FOIA BIRLS files.

RootsTech Wrap Up

14:06 RootsTech online

14:47 Relatives at RootsTech

17:58 FamilySearch's Global Tech Forum

19:21 FamilySearch Family Group Trees

20:23 FamilySearch Tree Integrity

23:26 FamilySearch New Change Log

24:00 Full Text Search Updates

25:01 FamilySearch AI Help ChatBot

26:44 Industry Highlight Forum

28:50 MyHeritage: New Cousin Finder, phone app update

29:57 Storied: Memory books; creating a new census index

31:50 SOAR

32:18 Remento

34:38 Ancestry’s phone scanner and AI tools

35:38 MyHeritage Ancient Origins

39:29 Gena Philibert-Ortega's RootsTech Experience

40:54  Her role at NGS

41:55 GRIP

46:05 Gena’s courses at SLIG

47:47 How Gena fits it into her schedule & reading goals

52:20 What Gena’s currently reading

WHAT'S HAPPENING

56:30 The National Genealogical Society 2025 Family History Conference “Tales & Trails” May 2025.

59:20 BCG adoption of two-part portfolio for CG application process

1:00:50  APG scholarships for the Professional Management Conference

1:02:27  NYG&B seeking volunteers and interns for their digitization team

1:03:21  Scholarship and awards deadlines on Conference Keeper

TEA TIME

1:04:00 New York vital records availability update.

1:06:18  Second Life chapter APG reorganization

RESOURCES

Ancestry Pet DNA - https://petdna.ancestry.com

BIRLS - https://www.birls.org/

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

Elizabeth's Blog about Relatives at RootsTech  - https://www.thefamilyheart.com/relatives-at-rootstech/

Imagetotext.io - https://www.imagetotext.io/

FamilySearch Labs - https://www.familysearch.org/en/labs/

FamilySearch Group Trees - https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/family-group-trees-learning-center

FamilySearch New Change Log - https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/using-the-improved-person-changelog-experiment

FamilySearch AI Help ChatBot - https://www.familysearch.org/en/labs/

Content Authenticity Initiative - https://contentauthenticity.org

MyHeritage Cousin Finder - https://blog.myheritage.com/2025/03/introducing-cousin-finder-gain-dna-level-insights-without-a-dna-test/

Storied - https://storied.com

SOAR - https://try.soar.com/team

Remento - https://www.remento.co

Ancestry Scanner - https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/Scanning-Images-with-the-Ancestry-App?language=en_US

Vivid Pix - https://www.vivid-pix.com

GRIP - https://grip.ngsgenealogy.org

SLIG - https://slig.ugagenealogy.org

GoodReads - https://www.goodreads.com

The Quest for Annie Moore of Ellis Island - https://www.amazon.com/Quest-Annie-Moore-Ellis-Island/dp/0996599312

NGS 2025 Family History Conference - https://conference.ngsgenealogy.org

BCG Springboard - https://bcgcertification.org/springboard

APG Scholarships - https://www.apgen.org/apg_awards_and_scholarships.php

NYG&B Internships -   https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/content/internships

NYG&B Volunteers - https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/volunteer 

ConferenceKeeper Awards/Grants/Scholarships - https://conferencekeeper.org/grants-scholarships

SL-APG https://slapg.wordpress.com

SLVGS https://slvirtualgenealogy.org

Ready to set your genealogy goals? In this episode, co-hosts Elizabeth and Tami share strategies for setting and successfully reaching your goals, from education plans to specific research results. Elizabeth and Tami talk about their own goals for 2025 and how they plan to achieve them, including tips and tricks to ensure success.

During What’s Happening, they discuss the availability of the RootsTech Schedule and the RootsTech app for 2025, as well as the recently released BIRLS database from Reclaim the Records. Then, Elizabeth spills the tea on the extreme wait times when requesting NY State vital records. Tami brings the sweet tea, discussing FamilySearch’s goals for 2025.

Finally, during Listener Mail, Elizabeth shares where to find closed captioning for the Branching Out Genealogy Podcast.

TIMESTAMPS:

Genealogy Goals

04:34 Setting goals for the new year

05:03 Types of Genealogy Goals

08:35 Elizabeth’s goals for 2025

09:41 Tami’s goals for 2025

10:20 How Elizabeth sets and achieved a significant genealogy goal

15:43 How Tami sets and achieves her genealogy goals

What’s Happening

23:54 RootsTech Schedule & App

29:48 Reclaim the Records - BIRLS database

Tea Time

35:44 New York State Vital Records ordering wait times

40:43 FamilySearch’s Goals for 2025

Listener Mail

44:28 Where to find closed captioning for our podcast

RESOURCES:

GRIP Genealogy Research Institute (GRIP) - https://grip.ngsgenealogy.org/

Jill Morelli's Certification Discussion Group (CDG) - https://thecdgseries.wordpress.com/the-series/

Click-Up App - https://clickup.com/

Notion - https://www.notion.com/

Google Tasks - https://tasks.google.com/

RootsTech 2025 Class Schedule - https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/schedule?day=2025-03-06

RootsTech 2025 mobile app (Android) - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.familysearch.rootstech&hl=en_US

RootsTech 2025 mobile app (Apple) - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/rootstech/id6474192974

Relatives at RootsTech - https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/relatives-at-rootstech-faqs

Reclaim the Records - https://www.reclaimtherecords.org/

BIRLS searchable database (Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem) - https://www.birls.org/

CBS6 Albany Video on NY Vital Records - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYGSG5PmquY&ab_channel=CBS6Albany

FamilySearch's goals for 2025 - https://www.familysearch.org/en/newsroom/what-to-expect-from-familysearch-in-2025

African Oral History project - https://www.familysearch.org/africa/sve/select-country

FamilySearch Labs A.I. Full-Text Search - https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text

FamilySearch "Get Involved" app - https://www.familysearch.org/getinvolved/

FamilySearch "Together" app - https://www.familysearch.org/discovery/together/welcome

Branching Out Podcast on Apple (live transcripts) - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/branching-out-genealogy-podcast/id1782416781

Branching Out Podcast on YouTube (live transcripts) - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCswrxVYz2y65xXJve-e35WA

_______

We would love to hear from you at ⁠[email protected]⁠ with your questions and comments!

This episode is sponsored by Vivid Pix.

In this episode, co-hosts Elizabeth and Tami share the stories that got them hooked on genealogy.

Next, they discuss several tools for collecting, transcribing, and sharing your family’s stories (some are low-tech and free). They also offer story-collecting gift ideas for family members who missed the holiday get-togethers, as well as those who may be shy or less tech-savvy.

During What’s Happening, Elizabeth shares a call to action to support the Bring Our Heroes Home Act, and Tami shares a reminder to submit your nominees for NGS awards.

Finally, Elizabeth spills the tea on recent genetic genealogy lawsuits, but Tami “cleans up” with good news about recently announced RootsTech keynote speakers and kudos to an amazing 92-year-old FamilySearch volunteer.

TIMESTAMPS:

02:04 Tami’s “lost” family story

03:56 Elizabeth’s “lost” family story

Collecting Family Stories

08:01 The importance of listening and collecting stories

09:18 MyHeritage Live Memory

13:33 The Oral History Association

14:03 Vivid Pix Memory Station Software

17:19 StoryCorps

19:02 FamilySearch Memories

19:45 MyHeritage Mobile App

19:53 Pixstori

20:36 StoryMaps

21:43 Nominate someone for America 250

Recording & Transcribing Tools

24:12 Voice memo apps for iPhone

25:24 Otter.ai

25:53 Zoom transcription

26:53 Google Docs voice typing

Story Collecting Gift Ideas

28:32 StoryWorth

31:47 Storii

33:32 Remento

35:03 The DIY Way (low tech & low cost)

What’s Happening

37:00 APG supports Bring Our Heroes Home Act

38:35 NGS Awards

Tea Time

40:07 Genetic Genealogy lawsuits

42:33 RootsTech Keynote Speaker announcement

43:18 Kudos to FamilySearch Indexing volunteer Marilyn Clement

RESOURCES:

MyHeritage Live Memory - https://cm.myheritage.com/livememory/

Oral History Association - https://oralhistory.org/

Vivid Pix Memory Station Software - https://www.vivid-pix.com/memorystationsoftware/

StoryCorps - https://storycorps.org/

FamilySearch Memories - https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/tag/memories

PixStori - https://www.pixstori.com/

StoryMaps - https://storymaps.com/

America 250 (nominate someone) - https://america250.org/nominate/

Voice Recorder & Audio Editor (Apple app) - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/voice-recorder-audio-editor/id685310398

Otter.ai - https://otter.ai/

Zoom Transcriptions - https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0064927

Storyworth - https://www.storyworth.com/

Storii (Save 20% with code FESTIVE24) -

Remento (Save $15 with code SAVE15) - https://www.remento.co/

APG’s 1-Page Summary of BOHHA - https://members.apgen.org/ct.php?lid=346409795&mm=111054848883

Find your Senator - https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm

Find your Representative - https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

NGS Awards - https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/awards/

The DNA Geek: It Just Got Real (GEDmatch lawsuits) - https://thednageek.com/it-just-got-real/

The DNA Geek: FTDNA Joins the “So Sue Me” Party - https://thednageek.com/ftdna-joins-the-so-sue-me-party/

The Legal Genealogist: Of money and chances - https://www.legalgenealogist.com/2024/11/22/of-money-and-chances/

RootsTech Keynote Speakers - https://www.familysearch.org/en/newsroom/rootstech-2025-first-four-keynotes-announced

This episode is sponsored by Vivid Pix. All product opinions are our own.

In this episode, co-hosts Elizabeth Swanay O'Neal and Tami Osmer Mize introduce themselves and discuss their (long!) genealogy journeys.

Then, they share their thoughts on the upcoming RootsTech Conference and give an overview of upcoming Black Friday sales on genealogy products.

During Tea Time, they spill some tea on the latest genealogy social media scuffles and share kudos for an esteemed genealogist who recently earned high honors.

Finally, the duo shares which websites they've been hooked on for the past few weeks.

TIMESTAMPS

About the co-hosts:

RootsTech Conference 2025:

FamilySearch

Black Friday/Holiday Sales on Genealogy Products:

Tea Time:

Fave Tech Tools of the Week:

Resources:

Please let us hear from you at [email protected] with your questions and comments!