Generations Cafe

If you're pulling out the one fact that you were looking for in a genealogy source, jotting it down, and then moving on... you're probably leaving a lot behind.

Taking a closer look at that source might help you discover the answer you were looking for. Even if it doesn't spell out the answer, that deeper dive will likely give you ideas on other places you can look.

In this episode, Amy Johnson Crow explains how knowing more about the type of record you're using can help in your search. She'll also share tips about pulling out more information from specific records, including an overlooked type of word.

Finding our female ancestors can be difficult, what with name changes and a lack of records written by or about them. But it doesn't have to be impossible.

In this episode, Amy Johnson Crow shares 3 practical strategies for discovering more about the women in our genealogy. Chances are good that you've started using them, but you haven't gone deeply enough -- and that's where the real discoveries happen!

The show notes, including links to related episodes, can be found at AmyJohnsonCrow.com/61.

What is modern genealogy? In this conversation with Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow, we cover technology, motivations for starting (and continuing) family history, accessibility, the challenges of enslaved ancestor research, and diversity in the field of genealogy.

It's an episode full of insight, as well as practical takeaways for everyday genealogists, professional researchers, and societies.

You can find the show notes at AmyJohnsonCrow.com/60.

What is modern genealogy? In this conversation with Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow, we cover technology, motivations for starting (and continuing) family history, accessibility, the challenges of enslaved ancestor research, and diversity in the field of genealogy.

It's an episode full of insight, as well as practical takeaways for everyday genealogists, professional researchers, and societies.

You can find the show notes at AmyJohnsonCrow.com/60.

Episode 59: Church records can be a boon to our genealogical research. In this episode, Amy explains how to determine your ancestor's denomination, identify the church that he or she attended, and how to go about tracking down the records.

Church records can help fill in the gap when civil vital records are missing. Even when you do have those civil records, the church records can yield more information. They really should be a part of everyone's genealogy toolkit!

You can find the show notes at AmyJohnsonCrow.com/59.

Marriage records make up an important part of our genealogy research. However, there are more records to find than just the civil marriage record at the county courthouse.

In this episode, Amy shares other records related to your ancestors' marriages... records that often hold more information that we can put to use in our family history.

The show notes contain all of the examples that Amy shared, along with links to the resources she mentioned. You can find the show notes at AmyJohnsonCrow.com/58

Ancestry has billions of records, but its features aren't always intuitive. In this episode, Amy Johnson Crow shares 5 features that are often overlooked on Ancestry that can boost your genealogy discoveries.

Did you know that the title of an Ancestry database might lead you to an erroneous conclusion? See how you can avoid that problem!

You'll also hear how to find specific collections, find hidden gems, and even connect with cousins without taking a DNA test.

The show notes, with links and screenshots, can be found at AmyJohnsonCrow.com/56.

Genealogy and family history is a comfort for many of us. But what do you do when you can't focus on your research or you don't have time to devote to it?

In this second episode of the "Research Renewal" series, Amy revisits the episode "7 Family History Activities for When You Can't Focus." It turns out that many of these activities are also great for times when you don't have a lot of time.

Bonus: Several of these can be done with family members, even virtually -- get everyone involved!

You can find the full Research Renewal playlist at AmyJohnsonCrow.com/55.

We all want our genealogy research to be good. However, insisting on perfection isn't only unrealistic, it can also be detrimental to your genealogy. It can also literally destroy your research.

In this first part of the "Research Renewal" series, Amy revisits her episode which asked, "Is perfectionism harming your genealogy?" She shows how it can be harmful and some ways to overcome it.

You can find the show notes at AmyJohnsonCrow.com/54.

When you're into genealogy, it's natural to want to give family history themed gifts, but sometimes they miss the mark. Here are 5 gifts that are easy and fun to put together that will bring a smile to those who receive them.

There's also a tip about a common genealogy gift that you might want to reconsider giving.

The key is to keep it simple and fun. This episode shows you how.

You can find the show notes at AmyJohnsonCrow.com/53